Schänis / Hüsliberg

Schänis / Hüsliberg is a Swiss soaring site sitting right inside the 5km control zone of Schänis airfield (LSZX), one of the busiest general-aviation and skydiving airports in the country, so pilots share the sky with sailplanes and need to fly with real airspace discipline to keep the site open at all. Launch is from Hüsliberg, reached either by a roughly 1.5-hour hike or a shuttle bus from the landing zone — there's no parking at the top. Only the designated takeoff is open; other spots higher up sit inside a wildlife protection area and are off-limits. The launch also closes for a few weeks each June and September while cows graze the field. Landing is at Rufi, a large field marked with a wind sock — stick to the mowed section. Föhn and strong Bise are the two winds to watch here, both capable of turning a calm-looking day dangerous fast.

Launch & conditions

There's no parking at Hüsliberg launch — reach it by a roughly 1.5-hour hike or the shuttle bus from the landing zone. Use only the designated takeoff; higher alternatives sit inside a protected wildlife area and aren't allowed. The launch also closes for a few weeks each June and September while cattle graze the field.

Getting there & local rules

Reach the landing zone by road, then hike or take the shuttle up to Hüsliberg launch. Land at Rufi, a large field marked with a wind sock — stay on the mowed section.

Local rules & hazards

This site sits inside the 5km control zone of Schänis airfield, one of the busiest general-aviation and skydiving fields in Switzerland, so airspace discipline matters here — sailplane traffic is heavy, and flying with FLARM (if you have it) helps avoid conflicts. Föhn and strong Bise winds are the main weather hazards; both can turn a mild-looking day dangerous quickly.

Check conditions before you fly

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