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Map layers

Each step switches on its own set. Adjust them here at any time.

Fronts
Latest analysed weather fronts across Europe and the North Atlantic
Pressure systems
Analysed high/low pressure centres and isobars in hPa
Föhn gradient
Pressure difference across the Alps at Gotthard and Brenner, which drives föhn
Weather reports
Written forecasts from regional flying-weather services
Wind
Mean wind speed at 10 m
Wind arrows
Direction, wind speed (fill) and gusts (outline) at 10 m
Wind motion
Animated wind at 10 m: streaks drift with direction and speed, chips give wind and gusts
Wind 1500 m
Wind speed at 850 hPa, about 1500 m above sea level
Wind arrows 1500 m
Wind direction and speed at 850 hPa, about 1500 m
Wind motion 1500 m
Animated wind at 850 hPa, about 1500 m: streaks drift with direction and speed
Wind 3000 m
Wind speed at 700 hPa, about 3000 m above sea level
Wind arrows 3000 m
Wind direction and speed at 700 hPa, about 3000 m
Wind motion 3000 m
Animated wind at 700 hPa, about 3000 m: streaks drift with direction and speed
Wind flow
Continuous streamlines coloured by wind speed at 10 m
Gusts
Peak gusts at 10 m
Clouds
Total cloud cover
Low clouds
Cloud below about 2 km: fog, stratus and low cumulus
Mid clouds
Cloud at about 2–6 km, often layered cloud ahead of fronts
High clouds
Cirrus above about 6 km, which shades the ground
Thermal top
How high thermals reach above the ground (boundary-layer height), from ECMWF
Thermal hotspots
Only the areas with good thermals, 1.2 m/s or more, glowing brighter the stronger they are; a chip at each area's strongest point
Sun-facing slopes
Slopes the sun heats at the selected hour glow warm, shaded ones cool; heated faces set off thermals first
Thermals
How much height thermals let you gain above the ground, in bands; chips give the updraft, how high thermals reach and clouds
Convergence
Glowing lines where surface winds flow together and push air up: lift along the line, often marked by clouds
Ridge soaring
Colours launches by ridge lift: whether the wind blows onto the slope strongly enough to soar
Cloud base
Base of cumulus clouds above sea level, where they form
Precipitation
Rain, showers and snow
Pressure shading
Forecast mean sea level pressure from ICON-D2
Temperature
Air temperature at 2 m
Storm energy
Convective energy (CAPE), the fuel for showers and thunderstorms
Airspace
Control zones, restricted and controlled airspace with their limits, from openAIP
Flight sites
Launch, landing and towing sites with their source
Live stations
Measured wind and gusts of weather stations, with 24 hours of history
Flown lift
Rising and sinking air where gliders flew in the last 24 hours, from the Open Glider Network
Live gliders
Paragliders and hang gliders in the air now, from the Open Glider Network

Varan

Varan Startplatz · Sallanches, Rhône-Alpes, France · No flights seen yet

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Satellite map of Varan with its launches and landings — Imagery © Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics

Paragliding site near Sallanches, Rhône-Alpes, France, launching at 1,515 m with 960 m of height difference in S wind.

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Step · Spot

Pick a launch: sites rated for the day, the most flown spots, valley wind, gusts and live stations.

Weather models

DWD ICON-D2 · 0.02° (~2 km)

Model guidance only. Terrain, launch conditions and winds aloft need a separate assessment.

Launches, landings and towing

Site

Hill site for paragliders · 960 m height difference

Paragliders: 1- and 2-seaters

Access: On foot

Spots nearby

Plaine-JouxPassy, Haute-Savoie, France · 4.4 km away
Mont PaccardSaint Gervais, Haute-Savoie, France · 6.4 km away
PrarionPassy, Haute-Savoie, France · 7.4 km away
Le PrarionSaint-Gervais-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France · 8.3 km away
Les HouchesPassy, Haute-Savoie, France · 8.4 km away
Les CarrozLes Carroz, Haute-Savoie, France · 9.8 km away

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