Le Grand Ratz

Le Grand Ratz is an afternoon-and-evening thermal and soaring site north of Voreppe, about 15 km northwest of Grenoble, France, reached by a 20-minute walk from the parking area at Le Grand Ratz village, over the La Placette pass near Pommiers-la-Placette. The launch, at about 802 meters, faces southwest to northwest and is best flown once the day has settled into its afternoon rhythm. The site's real hazard is a south wind component that hides itself at takeoff — conditions can look perfectly calm on launch while the wind is building into something much stronger down at the landing zone, with dangerous downwind rotor turbulence as the result. The landing zone itself, at the east exit of La Buisse (5 km west of Voreppe, on the right side of the road heading toward Voreppe), is large and normally safe, but that same hidden south wind is the one thing that can turn it dangerous quickly. Treat any southerly hint in the forecast with real suspicion here, even if the takeoff feels still.

Launch & conditions

Launch is at about 802 m facing SW to NW, reached by a 20-minute walk from the parking at Le Grand Ratz village over the La Placette pass. Best flown in the afternoon and evening.

Getting there & local rules

20-minute walk from the parking area at Le Grand Ratz village, near Pommiers-la-Placette, north of Voreppe.

Local rules & hazards

South wind is the hazard to watch here: it can be undetectable at takeoff yet build into strong wind at the landing zone, creating dangerous downwind rotor conditions. Treat any southerly hint with real caution, even if launch looks calm. The landing zone (east exit of La Buisse, 5 km west of Voreppe) is normally large and safe, but that same south wind can turn it dangerous quickly.

Check conditions before you fly

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