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: 2026-05-02 16:12 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~45 m, strong wind (32 km/h), precipitation 12.1 mm.
base ~45m · wind 32 km/h · precip 12.1mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~33 m, wind 14 km/h, precipitation 3.6 mm.
base ~33m · wind 14 km/h · precip 3.6mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
🗓️ Best season to fly (2024 climatology)
Monthly climate score: historical avg of temp, wind, rain and cloud cover. Green = optimal month.
⭐ Best month: Aug (48/100, 0°C, 44mm lluvia) · Worst month: Sep (5/100, 193mm lluvia)
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)