Grands Montets

Grands Montets is one of the most celebrated flights near Chamonix, France, with a launch at roughly 3,200 meters that's reached by cable car and sits right on a glacier. It's a serious, high-mountain start to a flight — the glacier takeoff has real crevasse hazard, and going up with a mountain guide is the smart move rather than a nice-to-have. The site works on southwest, west and northwest wind and suits thermal, soaring, cross-country and hike-and-fly days for pilots ready for genuine alpine terrain. Airspace here needs real attention: a restricted zone, LF R-30A, is active year-round, and an extra no-fly zone applies on Chamonix's south side toward Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi through July and August — you fly this site with a map in your head, not just a wing on your back. The usual landing zone, Bois du Bouchet, sits close enough to that restricted airspace that pilots are advised to make their final approach from the north side of the main road to stay well clear. Between the glacier start and the Mont Blanc backdrop, this is one of the most spectacular flights in the Alps — but it demands real alpine competence, not just paragliding skill.

Launch & conditions

Launch is at roughly 3,200 m on a glacier, reached by cable car from Chamonix — crevasse hazard is real, and going with a mountain guide is strongly advised.

Getting there & local rules

About 20 minutes from Chamonix by cable car.

Local rules & hazards

This is a glaciated, high-altitude takeoff with real crevasse hazard — going with a mountain guide is strongly advised. A restricted airspace zone (LF R-30A) is active here year-round, and an additional no-fly zone applies south of Chamonix toward Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi in July and August, so plan your route carefully. The main landing zone sits close to that restricted airspace, so approach from the north side of the main road to stay clear.

Check conditions before you fly

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