Bergen / Skihütte

Bergen (also known by its ski-hut launch) sits above Waldstetten near Schwäbisch Gmünd in Baden-Württemberg, launching northeast from 523 m. The take-off only works cleanly when the wind holds close to that direction — if it swings more than 45° off NE, pilots are told to skip the launch, because the trees flanking the launch lane on both sides throw off dangerous turbulence the moment the wind isn't square with the slope. Every pilot carries an LPD radio, tuned and ready to transmit on channel 7 (433.225 MHz), for the whole flight. On the way down, the approach into Bergen's landing field is flown with S-turns to bleed off height, since the field itself slopes gently downhill and punishes an approach that comes in too high. If the landing field is missed, the rule is to clear the outlanding meadow by the shortest and fastest route available. Parking is in the gravelled front section of the car park by the ski hut — the paved area right around the building is reserved for the hut's own guests and staff.

Launch & conditions

Launch faces northeast; if the wind swings more than 45° off that direction, skip the launch — the trees flanking the lane on both sides throw off dangerous turbulence.

Getting there & local rules

Park in the gravelled front section of the car park by the ski hut — the paved area right around the building is for the hut's own guests and staff.

Local rules & hazards

Every pilot carries an LPD radio, tuned and ready to transmit on channel 7 (433.225 MHz). The landing field slopes gently downhill and is flown in with S-turns to lose height rather than a high, straight approach; if it's missed, clear the outlanding meadow by the shortest route.

Check conditions before you fly

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