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Chamrousse's sites are ideally suited to practice without a weather wind.
Up to 10 km/h of meteorological wind is reasonable in all directions, beyond that it's downright uncomfortable, if not dangerous.
The prevailing winds are parallel to the terrain.
Webcam: http://www.chamrousse.com/www-webcam-482-ete-fr-chamrousse-2.html
A FFVL beacon is at your disposal from April to October; we keep it warm in winter.
Detailed aerology
All the information given below is based on our many years of experience.
- The choice of writing in "situations" is intended to describe the main signs of deterioration in a classic situation, and the increase in difficulty.
- We're not talking to expert, trained pilots, but rather to normal pilots, with about 25 to 50 hours of practice per year (80% of pilots), who are not familiar with this site.
- All sites in France can experience a deterioration in their aerology at any given time.
- This decision aid can help you save time, so you can act in anticipation and know how the situation is likely to turn out.
- This is one of our contributions to your safety.
- If you can't make sense of the information provided, we advise you to get some help; the local school provides this type of training https://www.chamrousseparapente.fr/formations/formation-voler-sur-le-site-de-chamrousse/
Tips :
Weather wind directions:
- The main meteorological winds are parallel to the massif, up to 10 km/h of pure wind at altitude is fine, beyond that it generates turbulence.
- We recommend using this site with little or no wind.
- This site is protected by a north-easterly wind, but there are a few disadvantages to be aware of
- We speak in terms of pure meteorological wind, to which we must add the breeze (example: 10 of pure wind + 15 km/h of breeze = 25 km/h + the instability of the day).
Heatwave :
- Caution when valley temperature exceeds 36° + altitude instability + dry over-adiabatic low layers = heat dome formation
- Strong conditions, turbulent take-off, dangerous if not impossible landing at the summit
- Complex altitude loss, possible valley confluences, heat dome,
- Fleeing into the valley won't immediately solve the problem, but you'll need to find your way down and be patient.
- If the fields in the valley are yellow, the aerology is changing and becoming more like the Southern Alps. Be sure to adapt take-off times to the level required by the situation.
- Heatwave + weather wind + take-off at the hottest time of day = big problems
- In the evening, during a heatwave (above 410 in the lowlands), the Grésivaudan breeze is likely to strengthen significantly on takeoff (more than 25 km/h gusting to 35 km/h) up to an altitude of around 2,500 m, with strong, turbulent, even dangerous conditions. There is little or no chance of aborting the flight quickly, and little chance of landing at Saint Martin d'Uriage (420 m) before the end of the legal takeoff time.
Wind direction at take-off:
- Don't be afraid to take off facing the most prevailing wind, even if it's not facing the sun, or facing the landing; and if it forces you to change the direction of take-off, it's possible to join the sunny part afterwards; rather than struggling to take off with the wind on your ass or 3/4 astern to stay facing the landing.
- There's a take-off to the west (magic take-off), below the main take-off, which is permanently fed head-on in normal conditions.
Marked instability +
- west to south-westerly wind = turbulent flight (not very fun)
- north-easterly wind = flight downwind of the Belledonne massif, with bubbling south to west faces and possible shear at the top of the ridges + increased breeze from the Grésivaudan + increased breeze at Saint Martin d'Uriage
- Muscular conditions in both cases
Classic lift operation :
- Strengthening of the lift from 3:30 pm (1:30 pm solar time) to 7 pm (8:30 pm heatwave) from May to the end of August in unstable conditions, from 1 pm (11 am solar time) to 3:30 pm cool and regular lift conditions (if no heatwave and no marked instability).
- In summer, gaining more than 500 m at 12 noon (10 a.m. solar time) on the west face is not a typical situation. It usually happens around 3:30 p.m.; imagine what will happen at 5 p.m. (3 p.m. solar time).
It's not normal, and you need to be aware of it:
- The breeze gets stronger on takeoff, and exceeds 25KM/H
- The beacon announces 15 min = wind and maybe + instability (this is not a cool flight)
- Windsock changes direction at over 1000 in strength and intensity
- Clouds are forming below takeoff and it's pitch black all around me.
- Clouds form in the valley, but not over the takeoff and surrounding peaks.
- I can hear the wind in the fir trees below takeoff, like a well-fed torrent.
- The fir trees below takeoff are moving a lot (25 km/h minimum), but there's not much breeze at takeoff.
- The sun is dropping over the horizon and the breeze is strengthening.
- A north-south confluence from the Saint Eynard and a good westerly breeze.
- I can't see the size of the grey-black cloud over my head at takeoff.
- It was very hot on landing, and on take-off I'm quite cold
- I see curtains of rain to my right or left, and the other half of the sky clear.
Resting at the summit :
- Landing at the top of the needle is possible, but generally technical, and some days dangerous or even impossible.
- Landing on the flat of the needle (at the windsock next to the parking lot) is a resting place at the summit, surrounded by ascents and descents. It can become dangerous in strong ascents, with gradient and turbulence close to the ground, and an unpleasant approach.
- With a breeze or northerly wind and marked instability, ditto. Sometimes it's better to give up
- The orientation of the breeze on this landing is West to North-West in classic use.
- The wind direction on this landing may be north or south, with some slight easterly components.
Clouds:
- The vertical size of the clouds over the takeoff is proportional to the turbulence in the air, even without a breeze,
- It is advisable to abandon the lift at least 150 m before the base, on certain days.
- The altitude of take-off (1839 m) favours proximity to the base of the ceiling, an important piece of information not to be overlooked on cloudy days.
Soaring from south/south-west
- Without thermals, in autumn 17/25 km/h max.
- Apart from these very precise reference points, this is where all the accidents have occurred.
Soaring from north/north-east
- 20/25 km/h max. and beware: the breeze can strengthen the wind.
The magical evening flight
- Every day after the end of convection (8.30pm on some days)
- In autumn from 3pm
Winter flying
- Usually done on skis outside the ski area
- The breeze is always descending, unless there is a weather wind
First ascents of the season :
- Generally from early April to late September
altitude: 1840mon a little hill, just above 'Recoin' village, in Chamrousse. Follow 'Club Alpin Français' signs, park your car just before their chalet on your left in the last turn. Walk 20 mn. Don't forget water...Another TO 'la Sapiniere' lies a little lower/ to the NW and is used if 'Aiguille' is in clouds.
approx. 20-30min ascent from Chamrousse 1650
Traditional area of the hang gliders. But paragliders also find ideal conditions here on the summit of L'Aiguille. Driveway with the car. We've been walking for the last 10 minutes. Spacious meadow launch site at 1,800 metres. Suitable terrain for cross-country flights. The landing site is in St. Martin d'Uriage near the school. Before the flight, be sure to visit the landing site and ask for permission. Don't fly over houses and schools.
IGN série Bleue 3335 Ouest - 3334 Est.
From the free-flight parking lot on rue des roches vertes, a sign on the parking lot provides aerial photos of all the take-off and landing areas on this site.
CHAMROUSSE L'Aiguille 1839 m
4 orientations, including 2 main ones North-East and North-West
Grass take-offs
12-minute approach walk
FFVL beacon from April to November
Connected landing sites: Saint Martin d'Uriage 420 m and le plat de l'aiguille 1750 m
Max authorized ceiling: FL 115(classic rule)approximately 3500 meters.
Be careful not to fly over the Versoud aerodrome (aerobatic axis to the south and high glider and recreational aircraft activity) when cross-country flying to St Hilaire. -
When changing valley and flying north, there's the Versoud airfield 10 km to the north-west. This zone is restricted, and no cows are allowed in the vicinity.
No flying close (less than 200 m/ground) to ski lifts.
1- and 2-seater
1- and 2-seater
Altitude 1801m
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