Caron Nord
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Savoie · Nearest city: Val Thorens (4 km)
56 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 3069 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.26350, 6.56310Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:11 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1290 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~1290m · wind 17 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1533 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~1533m · wind 17 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1033 m, viento 20 km/h.
base ~1033m · wind 20 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 65 at 13h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (100/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 35 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 50 ☁️⚠️ | 13 65 ☁️⚠️ | 14 40 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 15 40 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 16 40 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 17 40 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 ☁️⚠️ | 19 50 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 13h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.2 · BL top 965 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 4056 m · 0°C at 2820 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 40° over slope
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 55 at 16h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
- Cloud suck alto (87/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 50 ☁️⚠️ | 13 30 ☁️⚠️ | 14 30 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 55 ☁️⚠️ | 17 55 ☁️⚠️ | 18 55 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 16h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.3 · BL top 1295 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3906 m · 0°C at 2560 m · Pro score 58/100 · 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: 13:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: -0.8°C · Td: -8.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 987 m
BL top: 965 m
0°C level: 2820 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) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.77 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.40 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
On black slope of Caron, North-east to North-West (the best). follow the slope, let the cable car far on your left to have enough place to take off.
Rules and notes
NEVER TAKE OFF ON OPEN SLOPE NEVER LAND ON OPEN SLOPE
Pilot comments
http://www.valthorens.com/hiver-fr/val-thorens/live/balises-meteo.59.html winds in real time (no average winds) The winds in 'Moraine' are stonger cause Venturi of the Glacier du Col.
Nearby sites
Caron Sud (62) · Caron Ouest (56) · Les 2 lacs (38) · Mont de la chambre (52) · Pointe de la Masse (61) · Modane - valfrejus (49)