Pointe de la Masse
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Savoie · Nearest city: Val Thorens (6 km)
61 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2755 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.29670, 6.50810Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:17 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Flyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~1261 m, wind 16 km/h.
base ~1261m · wind 16 km/hFlyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~898 m, wind 20 km/h.
base ~898m · wind 20 km/hVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1025 m, wind 12 km/h.
base ~1025m · wind 12 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 55 at 17h
- Very stable day (CAPE<50, LI>2) — no thermals
- High cloud suck (82/100) — base below freezing with CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 50 ☁️⚠️ | 13 30 ☁️⚠️ | 14 30 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 45 ☁️⚠️ | 17 55 ☁️⚠️ | 18 55 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 17h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.0 · BL top 1200 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3817 m · 0°C at 2420 m · Pro score 76/100 · sun 18° 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: 17:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 4.1°C · Td: -4.4°C
LCL (cloud base): 1062 m
BL top: 1200 m
0°C level: 2420 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 — 2026-04-21
| Date | Morning 08-12h | Midday 12-16h | Evening 16-20h | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-21 | 6 km/h N | gust 35 | 11 km/h NW | gust 29 | 13 km/h NW | gust 32 |
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) | 2 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.83 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.78 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Summit and around, to choose the right slope from SE to W
Pilot comments
Early take off
Nearby sites
Les 2 lacs (38) · Caron Ouest (56) · Caron Sud (62) · Caron Nord (56) · Mont de la chambre (52) · Aire d'Atterrissage Prés Ruaz-Site de Saint-Jean de Maurienne (5)