Stockberg

Stockberg is a west-facing mountain launch in the St. Gallen/Appenzell region of eastern Switzerland, at about 1,526 m, offering thermal and cross-country flying with hike access. Because the launch faces west, it works best in the afternoon once the sun has come around, and on good summer days flights are sometimes still possible even after 6 pm. Wind at launch can build to real strength, and there's a useful local trick for dealing with it: walking down just a few meters from the top often gets a pilot out of the strongest compression zone right at the lip, making the launch noticeably easier than fighting it from the very top edge. This is a site for pilots comfortable judging wind strength and adjusting their exact launch point rather than one with a single fixed, forgiving spot.

Launch & conditions

West-facing launch — works best in the afternoon; flights are sometimes possible after 6 pm in summer. Wind can build to real strength at the very top; walking down a few meters often escapes the strongest compression zone and makes launching easier.

Check conditions before you fly

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