Sonnwendstein Startplatz 1

Sonnwendstein Startplatz 1 is a lightly flown site in Lower Austria that deserves more attention than it gets, with genuinely interesting thermal potential once pilots make the trip. Its biggest practical advantage is flexibility: launch is possible from almost any compass direction, so a day that would be a washout at a single-direction site can still work here. The specific east-facing launch sits about 750 m south of the mountain station, giving a short, straightforward walk from the lift rather than a long approach. Being lightly flown means less local traffic and less established route-finding to lean on, so a first visit rewards a bit of extra caution and observation before committing to a line. The landing meadow sits west of the village of Maria-Schutz, giving pilots a clear target once the flight is winding down. Wind from the east is what this particular launch is built for, though the site as a whole tolerates far more.

Launch & conditions

The east launch is about 750 m south of the mountain station — a short walk from the lift.

Getting there & local rules

The landing meadow lies west of Maria-Schutz village.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Sonnwendstein Startplatz 1, 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 Sonnwendstein Startplatz 1 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.