Fisetengrat

Fisetengrat is a high alpine XC launch above Urnerboden in central Switzerland, at just over 2,000 m, with several usable takeoff spots strung along the ridge near the top gondola station. The main line faces northwest and launches easily in typical conditions; when the wind swings southerly, a steeper southeast-facing option opens up but takes more care. Reaching the ridge means either riding the small gondola from Urnerboden — book ahead for a time slot, since it only carries a few people per run, and there's a restaurant at the top station if you need to wait — or hiking up instead. This is foehn country, and foehn conditions here are genuinely dangerous rather than just gusty, so check the forecast carefully before committing to fly. There is no official landing zone at Fisetengrat itself: avoid any field with long, uncut grass, and plan instead to land in Linthal, where a proper landing zone exists.

Launch & conditions

Multiple launch spots along the ridge near the gondola's top station; the northwest-facing line is the easy, go-to option, with a steeper southeast alternative for southerly wind.

Getting there & local rules

Take the small gondola up from Urnerboden (reachable by bus from Linthal or Flüelen) — booking a time slot in advance is worth it since each car carries few people — or hike up instead.

Local rules & hazards

This is foehn territory, and foehn here is a real hazard, not just extra wind — check conditions carefully before flying. There's no official landing zone at the site itself; avoid any field with uncut grass, and plan to land instead at the proper landing zone in Linthal.

Check conditions before you fly

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