Plan Praz/ Brevent (Chamonix)

Plan Praz–Brevent is a high-altitude thermal and XC launch above Chamonix, reached by gondola, with real airspace complexity that makes local knowledge essential before flying it. The south takeoff has one hard rule: you must pass underneath the cables of the Brevent cable car right after launch — there's no way around it. Flying to the west means staying below 300m above the ground, a nearby no-fly zone over the south side of Chamonix toward Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi is active through July and August, and the restricted zone LF R-30A operates year-round. Strong winds from the west through north turn genuinely turbulent here, since you'd be flying the lee side — if nobody's launching on an otherwise good day, that's usually a sign to head 20km west to Plaine Joux instead, where conditions tend to be kinder. Landing is normally at Bois du Bouchet, which sits close enough to the LF R-30A zone that pilots are advised to approach from the north side of the main road to stay clear of it; Savoy is an alternative near the gondola, but it's closed in winter.

Launch & conditions

From the south takeoff, you must pass underneath the cables of the Brevent cable car immediately after launch — there's no way around it.

Getting there & local rules

Reach launch by gondola from Chamonix (paraglider pilots get a special summer fare). Landing is normally at Bois du Bouchet, not visible from takeoff; Savoy is an alternative closer to the gondola, but it's closed in winter.

Local rules & hazards

Flying west of the site means staying below 300m above the ground, and July–August brings an active no-fly zone over the south side of Chamonix toward Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi; the restricted zone LF R-30A is active year-round and sits close to the main Bois du Bouchet landing, so approach from the north side of the main road to keep clear of it. West-to-north wind above about 20km/h turns genuinely turbulent here, since you'd be on the lee side — if nobody's flying on an otherwise good day, that's usually the reason, and Plaine Joux, about 20km west, is the better bet then.

Check conditions before you fly

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