Wangs – Pizolbahn Endstation

Wangs–Pizolbahn Endstation sits above the village of Wangs in eastern Switzerland, with several launch options at different altitudes so pilots can choose their line depending on conditions. It's easily reached by taking the Pizolbahn gondola up from Wangs, which makes it one of the more accessible alpine sites in the area. The site is versatile, suiting thermal flying, ridge soaring and hike-and-fly outings depending on the day. Local airspace needs real attention here: flying between Ragaz and Vilters is prohibited due to the nearby airfield at Bad Ragaz, and Swiss airspace in general is dense enough that pilots should study the rules before launching rather than after. Weather at this site is dominated by föhn, the strong, gusty wind that can develop quickly in this part of the Alps and change conditions on short notice — checking a live wind station reading before committing to fly is standard practice here. The landing zone at Wangs-Mels sits within a 5-kilometre radius of Bad Ragaz airfield, so approach restrictions apply and should be understood in advance.

Launch & conditions

Several launch points at different altitudes, giving pilots a choice depending on conditions; suits thermal, ridge-soaring and hike-and-fly flying.

Getting there & local rules

Take the Pizolbahn gondola up from Wangs.

Local rules & hazards

Flying between Ragaz and Vilters is prohibited because of the nearby Bad Ragaz airfield, and the landing zone at Wangs-Mels falls within its 5 km restricted radius, so approach rules apply. Swiss airspace here is genuinely complex — study it before flying. Föhn conditions are common and can build quickly, so check a live wind reading before launching.

Check conditions before you fly

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