Zermatt – Riffelberg – 2600

Zermatt–Riffelberg launches from 2,600 metres above the famous Swiss resort town, facing northwest to west, and it's a summer-only site — the altitude and terrain rule out flying the rest of the year. Valley winds can pick up strongly and without much warning, so pilots need to keep an eye on conditions throughout the flight rather than trusting an early read. The site earns its reputation in the afternoon and evening, when soaring conditions along the slope are excellent. Landing in Zermatt itself demands real attention: the official landing zone sits only a couple of minutes' walk north of the train station, and it's a relatively small field, best approached from the north or south. Because the zone lies just 500 metres from the local heliport, special local procedures apply, and pilots unfamiliar with the site should get briefed on them before flying. Given the demanding landing constraints and the fact that the designated bomb-out field may not always be reachable, this is a site better suited to pilots with the experience to plan an approach carefully rather than a first cross-country outing.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff sits at 2,600 metres facing northwest to west; summer-only site with occasional strong valley winds. Afternoon and evening soaring is the highlight.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by taking the Gornergrat railway up from Zermatt.

Local rules & hazards

The official Zermatt landing zone is small, roughly two minutes' walk north of the train station, with workable approaches from north and south — but it sits only about 500 metres from the local heliport, so special local procedures apply and pilots unfamiliar with the site should get briefed before flying. A backup landing option should be identified in advance in case the official field isn't reachable.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Zermatt – Riffelberg – 2600, 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 Zermatt – Riffelberg – 2600 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.