Fly high in Chamonix -- Paragliding

Paragliding - Flying in Chamonix, France
If you are looking to fly in one of Europe's most exciting areas then there's little beating the spectacular Chamonix Valley dominated by Mont-Blanc, Europe's highest mountain. With great weather in this beautiful High Alpine area, where thermals start rising as soon as the sun wakens the valley and stay until it sets, you will get the most out of your flying day. Flying is absolutely breath taking with the thermals often rising to 3500m and warm clear days.

Just an hour's drive from Geneva airport or 9 hrs drive form Calais, Chalet Wildfire in Chamonix offers an ideal location to take advantage of the Paragliding in the valley and Mont Blanc area.

The Chalet - which is five minutes drive from the centre, is set in approximately one acre of gardens with an outdoor swimming pool and direct uninterrupted view of Mont Blanc and the Bossons Glacier.

All of our bedrooms have private bathrooms and in summer we offer either B & B or Half Board, where dinner is prepared by our resident Chef and host.

For approved club members we offer a 10% discount on our normal prices year round. Just quote your club name and membership number where relevant, when you book.

Home

Chalet Wildfire

Location & Options

Chamonix Mont Blanc

Chamonix Activities

Booking Info

Travel Info

Menu & Comments

Pictures

Availability

Climbing

Night Life

Flying -- Paragliding

Mountain Biking

Skiing

LAUNCH SITES
The launch sites accessible by cable car require a lift ticket--available from the cable car station. You can buy a one ride up, a half day or full day pass.

In winter, you may also buy the multiple day 'Mont-Blanc' lift pass. It covers all the resort cable car and chair lifts within the valley.  Some sites listed are accessible by road and may have a navette (bus) shuttle service available between the launch and landing areas, although they may only run at weekends or busy periods.

LANDING SITES
All official flying areas are well marked with wind socks or flags. There may be a recommended 'final approach' path set out on the information board - You must respect this! 

Out-landing,  You can land just about anywhere and thumbing a lift back to base is easy!

Winter landing sites
PARGLIDERS - A winter (when snow only) landing site for paragliders only, - to the left of Planpraz lift station car park. This site is really only for the competent pilot.  Watch out for the cables at the car park end of this site, also a strong valley wind can make landing here very tricky.

BOIS DU BOUCHET the official paragliding landing site is on the other side of town and just up valley of the swimming pool and outdoor ice rink and next to the main road. The landing site is easily spotted from the air.

The official hang gliding landing site is about 200m further up the valley than the paraglider landing site. It is easy to see from the air. Your approach has to be precise as there is little room to turn off height in this narrow but long field.

Summer Landing site - Paragliders
SAVOY LANDING FIELD. The Savoy landing site directly below 'Le Brevent' lift station and within the middle of town is huge and landing is only permitted when the snow has melted. During the winter this site is used as a beginners ski area.
Watch out for the ski tow cables on this site. These remain in place permanently and are hard to see from the air.
Keep an eye on the direction and strength of the valley wind as it can become turbulent here on final approach due to the high buildings and trees.
BOIS DU BOUCHET: This site is also used during the summer months and is best used if the valley wind has become strong. Landing here may be less turbulent in strong conditions.
NOTE - None of the Chamonix landing sites can be seen when standing up on the launch site. Make sure that you have a good look at these landing sites before going up the mountain. Once in the air all these sites are easy to spot. 
Important - You need a full flying and landing guide - from the Tourist office or via approved flying school