Unter Stafel / Fronalp

Unter Stafel, on the Fronalp above Mollis in the canton of Glarus, is a northwest-facing thermal site reached by a short drive or shuttle, often arranged through a local flying school. Take-off sits just below the access road, making it an easy, low-hassle launch to reach. The defining feature here is airspace: the landing zone lies right by Mollis aerodrome (LSZM), so special local rules apply close to the field, and pilots should check current airspace status before flying — Swiss airspace is genuinely complicated and worth a proper briefing rather than guesswork. The other thing to watch is Föhn: this warm, gusty alpine wind can build quickly in the Glarus valleys and change conditions within an hour, so keep an eye on it through the day rather than trusting an early forecast.

Launch & conditions

Take-off sits just below the access road — an easy, quick launch to reach by car or shuttle.

Getting there & local rules

Usually reached by car or shuttle, often arranged through a local flying school.

Local rules & hazards

The landing zone lies close to Mollis aerodrome (LSZM), so special airspace rules apply near the field — check current airspace status before flying. Also watch for Föhn: this warm alpine wind can build fast in the Glarus valleys and shift conditions within the hour.

Check conditions before you fly

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