Allmenalp (Kandersteg)

Allmenalp, above Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland, launches at about 1,758 m facing northeast through south, with genuine thermal and cross-country potential. The takeoff is a large meadow roughly 15–20 minutes' walk from the gondola station and restaurant, so it's an easy, unhurried approach rather than a hard slog. Landing is equally comfortable: another large meadow with a windsock, less than 10 minutes from the gondola station, with a clubhouse and parking nearby. The one thing to watch is wind direction on landing — a north wind creates real valley-wind turbulence in the landing zone, so it's worth reading conditions there rather than assuming the meadow is always calm. As with Swiss sites generally, checking current airspace and active danger-area information before flying is worth the few minutes it takes.

Local rules & hazards

The landing zone gets turbulent in a north wind (valley-wind effect) — read conditions there before committing to the approach. Check current Swiss airspace and active danger-area information before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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