La Riposa

La Riposa is one of the highest paragliding launches in Italy's Susa Valley, at 2,161 m beside the refuge of the same name, on a big, smooth grass field with plenty of room to launch from multiple spots around it. East, southeast and south winds work the site for both thermal and cross-country flying. Timing matters here: spring conditions run very strong, late summer into early autumn is generally considered the sweet spot, and winter usually buries the access route in too much snow to reach at all. Getting there by car means following the motorway or state road to Susa, turning behind the main train station, and following signs to Rocciamelone up to a parking area about 100 m below the refuge; on foot from Susa, a well-marked path climbs the same 1,700 m of vertical gain over 3 to 5 hours — enough that many pilots hike up in the evening, stay the night at the refuge, and fly the next morning instead. Foehn wind is the one condition to take seriously: if it's forecast within the next 24 hours, it's not worth the risk of flying here. Landing follows the same fields as Ciamberlando, with the Chianocco landing also reachable within glide.

Launch & conditions

The launch is a big, smooth grass field right by the refuge, with plenty of room to take off from multiple spots around it.

Getting there & local rules

By car: follow the motorway or state road to Susa, turn behind the main train station, and follow signs to Rocciamelone up to the parking area about 100 m below the refuge. On foot from Susa: a well-marked path climbs about 1,700 m of vertical gain over 3 to 5 hours — many pilots hike up in the evening, stay at the refuge, and fly the next morning.

Local rules & hazards

Never fly here with foehn wind in the forecast — if there's any chance of foehn within the next 24 hours, it's better not to take the risk.

Check conditions before you fly

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