Zettersfeld

Zettersfeld, above Lienz in East Tyrol, is one of the more welcoming Alpine launches — genuinely good for beginners as well as experienced pilots, and reachable by cable car rather than a hike, which keeps it accessible for a wide range of skill levels. Wind directions from east through south to west are all workable here, and the site is well set up for thermal flights, ridge soaring and comfortable sled rides alike, making it a solid base whether you're building airtime or aiming for a cross-country day. A few practical things to plan around: skiers share the mountain in winter, cows graze the slopes in summer, and gliders need to be laid out to the side of the piste rather than on it, with a minimum distance kept from the chairlift. In summer, the valley wind can build to genuinely strong in the afternoon — still flyable, but worth respecting — and days with a north foehn deserve extra caution.

Launch & conditions

Cable-car access to takeoff, which keeps this an easy site to reach for a wide range of skill levels; lay gliders out to the side of the piste and keep clear of the chairlift.

Getting there & local rules

Reachable by car, on foot, or — the easy way — by cable car and chairlift up the mountain.

Local rules & hazards

Summer afternoons can bring a strong valley wind — still flyable, but building through the day — and days with a north foehn need extra caution. Watch for skiers on the slope in winter and cows grazing in summer.

Check conditions before you fly

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