Lanches (Col de la Loze, Courchevel)
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Savoie · Nearest city: Courchevel (3 km)
59 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2300 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.40790, 6.60210Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 12:35 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1698 m, viento 15 km/h.
base ~1698m · wind 15 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1033 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~1033m · wind 17 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1981 m, viento 16 km/h.
base ~1981m · wind 16 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1469 m, viento 11 km/h.
base ~1469m · wind 11 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 55 at 14h
- Cloud suck alto (96/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 30 ☁️⚠️ | 13 40 ☁️⚠️ | 14 55 ☁️⚠️ | 15 55 ☁️⚠️ | 16 50 ☁️⚠️ | 17 55 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 55 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 14h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.4 · BL top 975 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3187 m · 0°C at 2740 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 36° over slope
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 65 at 16h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
- Cloud suck alto (88/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 30 ☁️⚠️ | 13 50 ☁️⚠️ | 14 60 ☁️⚠️ | 15 60 ☁️⚠️ | 16 65 ☁️⚠️ | 17 65 ☁️⚠️ | 18 55 ☁️⚠️ | 19 50 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 16h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.2 · BL top 1235 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3575 m · 0°C at 2710 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 25° 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: 14:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 5.4°C · Td: -1.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 887 m
BL top: 975 m
0°C level: 2740 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) | 7 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.81 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.41 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Top of Dou de Lanches and Loze chairlifts by the Roc Tania restaurant.
Rules and notes
Do not fly over the Meribel altiport or directly in line with the runway up or down valley unless high. (i.e. it is not possible to fly directly to Meribel to land)
Pilot comments
The best winter and early spring thermalling site in the three valleys ski area. Not used as much outside the ski season as there are better options access and flying wise. In winter, skis help getting to the launch and take off.
Nearby sites
Courchevel (Bouc Blanc) (49) · Meribel (55) · Bozel (Le Pre) (58) · Mont de la chambre (52) · Mont Jovet (62) · Les 2 lacs (38)