Colle di Fenestrelle

Colle di Finestre in the Piedmontese Alps offers a high, technical launch at over 2,100 m — beautiful for local flights and for cross-country runs, and often flyable when lower sites are stuck under a stable inversion during high pressure. Spring conditions can turn very strong and turbulent, so this is a site for intermediate pilots and above; local schools use it precisely to progress students onto real mountain thermal flying. Views over the Val Chisone and towards the Val Susa are wide open. Landings on the plateau below launch are easy in fair conditions.

Launch & conditions

1) At Colle delle Finestre — any suitable spot around the pass; the best is north of the parking, off the road/footpath. 2) Any usable spot a short walk up from the plain.

Getting there & local rules

Two ways in. 1) From Pinerolo take the Sestriere road; about 2 km after Fenestrelle follow Usseaux, then Colle delle Finestre — once on the big high plateau (~1,600 m) you're at the landing, with a short drive up to launch. 2) From Susa follow Meana di Susa and signs for Colle delle Finestre; the road becomes gravel but is fine for a standard car. This second road is officially closed January to end of May and often blocked by snow already from late October.

Local rules & hazards

Do not fly in föhn or northerly winds — extremely dangerous here. In westerlies the wind at launch may feel fine while a large rotor forms on the leeward side of the mountain — always check the forecast and the pressure difference between France and Italy before flying. Avoid landing near livestock; the main plain landing is agreed only for the local flying school, so if that field is not available, land lower at Pian dell'Alpe instead.

Check conditions before you fly

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