Alpe Bill (Macugnaga)

Alpe Bill in Macugnaga, at the foot of Monte Rosa in Piedmont, is a small but very pleasant Alpine launch — a constant slope with no technical difficulty and no obstacles. Not usable in winter because the takeoff cannot be reached under the snow. The cable car serves you from November to April and from mid-June to mid-September; the ticket includes a return if you don't take off. No top-landing.

Launch & conditions

Small but nice takeoff on a constant slope, no technical difficulty and no obstacles. No top-landing possible. Not feasible in winter — the takeoff cannot be reached under the snow.

Getting there & local rules

From the village, take the cable car up to Alpe Bill. From the top station, a level 20-min walk along the path to 'Alpine Bill' brings you to a large sloping meadow. Cable car open November–April and mid-June to mid-September; the ticket includes a return if you don't fly. Landing: 'Miger', a large grass field beside the road at the Pecetto di Macugnaga hamlet — usable in both summer and winter (in winter, try not to walk too much on cross-country ski trails).

Local rules & hazards

Do not fly in N, NW or W winds when moderate to strong — real risk of rotor and turbulence formation.

Check conditions before you fly

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