Col Bione

Col Bione sits above Giaveno in the Piedmont foothills west of Turin, a quiet site that sees few local pilots simply because getting there takes some effort and its cross-country range is limited. What it does offer is a solid local flying hill with south-to-southeast exposure and reliable top-landing back at launch — the preferred way down when conditions allow. Pilots looking for more than a local lap can follow the ridge crest toward the Trucetti flying site for a short cross-country link between the two. The drive in itself is part of the challenge: a gravel road climbs west from the Colle Braida car park, following signs and a series of turns before ending on the crest that divides Valle Susa from the Giaveno valley, with about ten minutes on foot from there to launch. Two conditions to respect: skip landing into Valle Susa in late spring and summer around midday, when a strong valley breeze can spoil the approach, and never fly when foehn is blowing — what looks like a clean tailwind can actually be the rising branch of a rotor.

Launch & conditions

Top landing back at launch is the preferred way down when conditions allow; pilots after more distance can follow the ridge crest toward the Trucetti site.

Getting there & local rules

From Colle Braida car park (reachable by asphalt road from Giaveno, also by bus), take the gravel road west following the signs — low-clearance cars are fine but not ideal — then about ten minutes on foot to launch.

Local rules & hazards

Avoid landing into Valle Susa in late spring and summer around midday, when a strong valley breeze can spoil the approach, and never fly in foehn conditions — what feels like a clean breeze can actually be the rising side of a rotor.

Check conditions before you fly

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