Superbagneres – luchon

Superbagnères, above Luchon in the French Pyrenees, launches at 1,767 m from a ski station reached by chairlift (or by road when the lift isn't running) — the takeoff is steep but straightforward, right beside a derelict chapel on the slope. Locals call the flying here genuinely excellent, but it's not a beginner's introduction to the mountains: turbulence can be serious, a southerly wind is considered outright dangerous, and the valley wind builds strong through the afternoon. Experienced pilots who time it right — crossing once the breeze eases later in the day — can soar the ridgeline across the valley and push well up-valley against the wind from there. The site sits close to a regulated airfield, so height and approach restrictions apply and the posted guidelines at launch are worth actually reading. When conditions turn unfavorable here, many local pilots simply head to nearby Lac d'Oo instead, then come back to Superbagnères in the evening for a reliable valley-wind soar.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff sits immediately to the left of the ski station, on a steep but straightforward slope next to a derelict chapel. The lift reaches the top in both summer and winter; outside its operating hours you can drive up instead. Wind is often light here, so a forward launch is sometimes needed.

Getting there & local rules

Base yourself in Bagnères-de-Luchon and take the ski lift up to the station in either season; a road also reaches the top when the lift isn't running.

Local rules & hazards

The site sits near a regulated airfield, so height and approach restrictions apply — read the guidelines posted at launch. A southerly wind is considered dangerous here with serious turbulence, and the valley wind builds strong through the afternoon; many local pilots wait it out at nearby Lac d'Oo and return for a calmer evening soar.

Check conditions before you fly

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