Rigi – Staffelhöhe

Rigi – Staffelhöhe launches at about 1,555 m above Lake Lucerne, facing northwest, with real thermal, soaring and cross-country potential. It's part of the classic Rigi rail network: reach it by train from Vitznau or Arth-Goldau, or by gondola followed by a train change from Weggis, so there's no need to drive up. Landing has a few options, and picking the right one matters — a spot beside the main road from Küssnacht works, or pilots can use the landing zone shared with the nearby Rigi-Kulm site at Brunnen. What to avoid is landing in Weggis itself: the site's own note calls it difficult and flags that it sits inside controlled airspace (a CTR), which is a different level of consequence than a merely awkward field. Swiss airspace around this whole area is genuinely intricate, with active danger areas that shift, so it's worth confirming current airspace and danger-area status before flying rather than relying on last season's knowledge.

Local rules & hazards

The Weggis landing zone is difficult and sits inside controlled airspace (a CTR) — treat it as a fallback, not a default. Swiss airspace here is complex, with active danger areas that can change; confirm current status before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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