Vilan – Gipfel

Vilan – Gipfel is a summit launch above Malans in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland, reached by taking the Älplibahn gondola up and then hiking roughly an hour to the top of the Vilan. At 2,350 m it's a serious alpine site with a south-facing window — southeast through south to southwest — and it's well regarded locally for thermals, ridge soaring and the hike-up approach itself, which suits pilots who like earning the flight rather than riding a lift straight to launch. Two weather factors deserve real respect here: Föhn is a recognized hazard on this side of the Alps and can turn conditions dangerous quickly, and the nearby Rhine Valley is known for winds that build stronger than they look from the valley floor. Both are reasons to treat a marginal forecast as a no-go rather than something to test from the air. Swiss airspace in this region is layered as usual, so a quick check of current restrictions before flying is worth the few minutes it takes.

Getting there & local rules

Älplibahn gondola from Malans, then about a one-hour hike to the summit.

Local rules & hazards

Föhn is a recognized hazard here and can turn conditions dangerous quickly — treat a Föhn forecast as a stand-down day. The nearby Rhine Valley is known for winds stronger than they look from below.

Check conditions before you fly

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