Rax

Rax is an Austrian launch at about 1,533 m, facing east to southeast, and it's rated a genuinely great cross-country start point — on a good day pilots can fly a long way west from here. The takeoff sits right by the cable car station, so access is about as easy as mountain launches get: no hike, just a ride up. Landing options are informal rather than a single dedicated field — there are several fields suitable for landing near Hirschwang, in the valley below, so pilots have some flexibility in picking a spot depending on where the day's flight ends. Between the lift access and the XC potential, this is a strong choice for pilots looking to rack up distance rather than just a short local flight.

Getting there & local rules

The Rax cable car brings you right to the launch — no hike required.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Rax, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Rax with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.