Plan du fou

Plan du Fou launches from 2,447 m near Siviez in Switzerland's Valais, about 200 m to the left of the top station of the newer cable car up from the village, with the standard takeoff facing east. A second option opens to the west for stronger pilots, though it's a genuinely short takeoff track that ends at steep cliffs, and it needs a stronger wind to be workable safely. Getting up means a bus or drive toward Siviez followed by the cable car for the final stretch, or in summer, pilots can walk up instead of riding. This site sits close to Sion's CTR airspace — checking CTR activity every 30 minutes is required whenever a flight might enter it, though a straight flight from Plan du Fou back to Siviez stays clear of the CTR entirely; it only becomes relevant when flying on toward Haute-Nendaz or Basse-Nendaz.

Launch & conditions

The standard takeoff faces east; a west-facing option exists for stronger pilots, but it's a short track ending at steep cliffs and needs a stronger wind to fly safely.

Getting there & local rules

Take a bus or drive toward Siviez, then ride the cable car for the final stretch to launch — in summer, it's also possible to walk up instead.

Local rules & hazards

This site sits close to Sion's CTR airspace — checking CTR activity every 30 minutes is required whenever a flight might enter it, though a straight flight from Plan du Fou to Siviez stays clear of it; entering the CTR only becomes relevant when flying on to Haute-Nendaz or Basse-Nendaz.

Check conditions before you fly

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