Schönjoch Startplatz 3

Schönjoch Startplatz 3 launches from 2,471 m in Austria's Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area, flown year-round — it works as both a summer and winter flying site — on southeast, south and southwest winds. One thing worth knowing before you fly: this area is shared with model aircraft flyers, so keep an eye out for radio-controlled traffic sharing the same airspace, not just other paragliders. There's also a standing restriction specific to the area's Startplatz 1, in the Fiss flying zone: launching below the terrace there has been banned outright by the mountain railway company since at least 2017, so if you're considering that particular launch, know the rule applies even though it isn't this one. The landing for this site is next to the mid-station of the Sonnenbahn lift, making the walk back to the lift system short and easy.

Local rules & hazards

This flying area is shared with model aircraft flyers — watch for radio-controlled traffic sharing the airspace. Note also: at the area's Startplatz 1 in the Fiss flying zone, launching below the terrace has been banned by the mountain railway company since 2017.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Schönjoch Startplatz 3, 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 Schönjoch Startplatz 3 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.