Avoriaz
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Haute-Savoie · Nearest city: Morzine (5 km)
64 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1819 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
46.19460, 6.76800Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 13:20 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1180 m, viento 16 km/h.
base ~1180m · wind 16 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1145 m, viento 15 km/h.
base ~1145m · wind 15 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1704 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~1704m · wind 12 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1333 m, viento 8 km/h.
base ~1333m · wind 8 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20❌ Not recommended · peak 55 at 12h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (100/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
⏰ Useful window: 17:00 – 17:00
| 08 50 | 09 50 | 10 50 ☁️⚠️ | 11 50 ☁️⚠️ | 12 55 ☁️⚠️ | 13 55 ☁️⚠️ | 14 50 ☁️⚠️ | 15 45 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 16 50 ☁️⚠️ | 17 45 ☁️⚠️ | 18 50 ☁️⚠️ | 19 50 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 12h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 0.4 · BL top 1045 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2969 m · 0°C at 2400 m · Pro score 84/100 · sun 40° over slope
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 55 at 13h
- Cloud suck alto (95/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 50 ☁️⚠️ | 10 50 ☁️⚠️ | 11 50 ☁️⚠️ | 12 50 ☁️⚠️ | 13 55 ☁️⚠️ | 14 55 ☁️⚠️ | 15 55 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 16 40 ☁️⚠️ | 17 35 ☁️⚠️ | 18 35 ☁️⚠️ | 19 35 ☁️⚠️ | 20 35 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 13h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI 2.1 · BL top 1525 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2744 m · 0°C at 1680 m · Pro score 70/100 · sun 39° 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: 12:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 7.5°C · Td: -1.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 1150 m
BL top: 1045 m
0°C level: 2400 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Wind chart — altitude × time
Color: green < 20 km/h · yellow 20-30 · red >40. Arrows point to where the wind is blowing. Each column = 1 hour. 4 altitudes: 10m surface, 80m first thermal, 1500m (850 hPa) thermal cruise, 3000m (700 hPa) top.
Wind next days (Open-Meteo model)
Wind rose 10m — 2026-04-20
| Date | Morning 08-12h | Midday 12-16h | Evening 16-20h | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | 6 km/h SW | gust 27 | 15 km/h W | gust 36 | 10 km/h NW | gust 33 |
| 2026-04-21 | 2 km/h SW | gust 12 | 11 km/h W | gust 30 | 10 km/h W | gust 30 |
Colors: green < 15 km/h (optimal) · orange 15-25 · red >25 (flying not recommended). ⚠️ = shear >25 km/h between 10m and 850 hPa (potentially broken thermals).
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 12 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.80 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.53 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Near the entry of Avoriaz, on right after 'Pierre et Vacances''s check'in, a little place to park car, it was built by PGHM handgliders in late 70's. It's short, but the glide is suitable to take off in 2-3 feet run. The wind is usually back, cause of the big thermal just in front. You have to glide over the trees and just after the power kick your wing. In the morning go to right, near the golf, in afternoon and after go at left close to the cliff.
Rules and notes
it's cool, no problem with heliport just at right from take off, take care it can have planes. It's a ski resort, you have many paragliders, small planes, copters...
Pilot comments
Very good in winter!!! huge in summer, but prefer morzine for much safety
Nearby sites
Morzine (54) · Abondance (58) · La Bourgeoise (Samoens) (69) · Les Gets - Mont Chery (57) · Chatel Morclan (under the top) (58) · Chatel Morclan (summit) (59)