Petit Mont Bonvin Startplatz 1

Petit Mont Bonvin Startplatz 1 is a year-round flying destination above the Rhône valley in Valais, Switzerland, reached by cable car from Aminona up to the Petit Mont Bonvin mountain station rather than a hike. The launch itself is spacious, sitting just west of the mountain station, which makes it a comfortable, low-stress place to rig and get airborne compared with a cramped alpine takeoff. Pilots have two real landing options once in the air: back down at Aminona, or out in the Rhône valley floor — but the valley option comes with a genuine caveat, since strong valley wind is a known factor there and can turn what looks like a simple flatland landing into something that needs real planning and margin. Being flyable in both summer and winter adds to its appeal as a reliable regional destination rather than a single-season site. Wind from the south or southwest suits the launch.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by cable car from Aminona to the Petit Mont Bonvin mountain station — no hike required to reach the launch.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Petit Mont Bonvin 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 Petit Mont Bonvin 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.