Mont Blanc
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Haute-Savoie · Nearest city: Les Houches (8 km)
56 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 4536 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.83330, 6.86410Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:12 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Condiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~2026 m, viento fuerte (30 km/h).
base ~2026m · wind 30 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1141 m, viento fuerte (28 km/h).
base ~1141m · wind 28 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~956 m, viento 6 km/h.
base ~956m · wind 6 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20⚠️ Marginal · peak 36 at 13h
- Cloud suck alto (100/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 14 ☁️⚠️ | 09 33 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 10 32 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 11 33 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 12 33 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 13 36 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 14 36 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 15 36 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 16 34 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 17 24 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 18 25 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 19 23 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 20 22 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ |
Peak 13h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 2.4 · BL top 1235 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 6411 m · 0°C at 4080 m · Pro score 66/100 · sun 39° over slope
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 55 at 14h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
- Cloud suck alto (96/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 50 ☁️⚠️ | 13 50 ☁️⚠️ | 14 55 ☁️⚠️ | 15 55 ☁️⚠️ | 16 40 ☁️⚠️ | 17 50 ☁️⚠️ | 18 50 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 55 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 14h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.4 · BL top 1505 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 5323 m · 0°C at 2650 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 36° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 13:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: -14.0°C · Td: -29.0°C
LCL (cloud base): 1875 m
BL top: 1235 m
0°C level: 4080 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 6 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.89 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.15 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
The very top of the mountain. The ridge is oriented East-West, take off is possible on the North side or on the south side. After take off from the south side, it is possible to join the Chamonix valley by flying over the 'arète de bosses'.
Rules and notes
July-August: restricted area flight see website https://federation.ffvl.fr/actu/r-glementation-vol-libre-dans-massif-mont-blanc
Pilot comments
the true take off altitude is 4810m. the highest take off in Europe
Nearby sites
Aiguille du Midi -S / N (61) · Plan de l'Aiguille (Chamonix) (50) · Domes de Miages (62) · Mont Lachat (58) · Plan Praz/ Brevent (Chamonix) (56) · Mont Vorassay (57)