Vizcachas

Vizcachas is a versatile thermal, soaring, cross-country and hike-and-fly site above Santiago, Chile, at 1,045 m, with wind working from southwest through northwest and landing at the large Chileparapente field. The takeoff area is wide and comfortable, and the site is regulated and supervised by Chile's civil aeronautics authority, DGAC. Timing matters here: summer thermal activity peaks between noon and 4 p.m., which suits strong pilots, while relaxed flying runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and the calmest window for beginners is 7 to 8 p.m. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons, with moderate conditions that suit pilots of every level; winter (June to August) is best skipped, bringing rain and temperatures that can drop below freezing. Getting there is easy without a car: take bus MB N72 from Las Mercedes metro station (Line 4), or use the Chileparapente shuttle from the landing zone — note that Chileparapente is closed on Mondays, so there's no shuttle service that day.

Launch & conditions

The takeoff area is wide and comfortable, working southwest through northwest wind. Thermal activity peaks between noon and 4 p.m. in summer; 4–7 p.m. suits relaxed flying, and 7–8 p.m. is the calmest window for beginners.

Getting there & local rules

Take bus MB N72 from Las Mercedes metro station (Line 4), or use the Chileparapente shuttle from the landing zone (or walk). Chileparapente is closed on Mondays, so there's no shuttle that day.

Local rules & hazards

The site is regulated and supervised by Chile's civil aeronautics authority (DGAC). Spring and autumn bring moderate, easy conditions for all levels; winter (June–August) is not recommended, with rain and temperatures that can fall below freezing.

Check conditions before you fly

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