Gitschberg Startplatz 1

Gitschberg's Startplatz 1 sits at around 2,108 metres on the exposed summit of this South Tyrol peak, right on the ski slope, with a launch that works with wind from the east. The position gives a striking view into the Dolomites, and it's rated as a strong starting point for cross-country flights heading along the Puster Valley. Access depends on the season: in winter, the cable car and chairlift combination reaches the summit directly, which is what makes ski-and-fly such a natural pairing here. In summer, or after the ski season ends, pilots generally walk the last stretch from the middle station and launch from the piste itself; if the lift isn't running at all, hiking up from Kieneralm, on the road between Meransen and Weitental, is the alternative. The designated landing at Meransen sits at roughly half the mountain's height, and reaching it from the summit isn't realistic without picking up lift along the way. Only mown meadows in Meransen are open for landing.

Launch & conditions

Summit launch on the ski piste at ~2,108 m, flyable with east wind; multiple launch options exist on Gitschberg.

Getting there & local rules

Winter: cable car + chairlift to the summit. Summer/off-season: walk from the middle station, or hike up from Kieneralm (road between Meransen and Weitental) if the lift isn't running.

Local rules & hazards

The designated landing at Meransen sits at roughly half the mountain's height and isn't reachable from the summit without picking up lift along the way. Land only on mown meadows there.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Gitschberg Startplatz 1, 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 Gitschberg Startplatz 1 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.