Schmittenhöhe (Zell am See)
📍 Salzburg , Politischer Bezirk Zell am See · Nearest city: Viehhofen (4 km)
68 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1912 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
47.33030, 12.73570Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:13 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Flyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~568 m, wind 20 km/h.
base ~568m · wind 20 km/hFlyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~1065 m, wind 14 km/h.
base ~1065m · wind 14 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~2127 m, wind 20 km/h.
base ~2127m · wind 20 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 9h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
- High cloud suck (100/100) — base below freezing with CU
| 08 45 ☁️⚠️ | 09 55 ☁️⚠️ | 10 40 ☁️⚠️ | 11 50 ☁️⚠️ | 12 40 ☁️⚠️ | 13 40 ☁️⚠️ | 14 40 ☁️⚠️ | 15 40 ☁️⚠️ | 16 40 ☁️⚠️ | 17 40 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 55 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 9h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI 3.5 · BL top 590 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2099 m · 0°C at 1470 m · Pro score 58/100 · sun 30° 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: 09:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 0.3°C · Td: -1.2°C
LCL (cloud base): 187 m
BL top: 590 m
0°C level: 1470 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 | 4 km/h NW | gust 38 | 7 km/h N | gust 28 | 5 km/h NE | gust 25 |
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) | 6 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.77 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.85 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Upcoming competitions in this country
- PWCA Italy Gemona 2026 · 2026-07-25 – 2026-08-01 · PWCA
Copa del Mundo en Gemona del Friuli, Italia
Takeoff description
Various take-offs in all directions, some easier, some a bit tricky. Good skills generally recommended. More info (in german): https://www.ikarus-pinzgau.com/fluggebiete/schmittenhöhe/
Rules and notes
LZ Fürth lies VERY close to AD Zell am See! Strict observation of rules ar a MUST in order to keep this great site open!! (>> see pix!) Overflying of AD Zell am See only if staying above 1500m (5000ft)/ASL the WHOLE time!!! A very good description of Austrian airspace structure with graphics (in German only) can be found here: https://www.ikarus-pinzgau.com/fluggebiete/lufträume/
Pilot comments
Great starting place for easy xc-flights along the Pinzgau valley ('Pinzgauer Spaziergang') direction West.
Nearby sites
Schmittenhöhe Landeplatz 1 (5) · Grosse Asitzkopf (35) · Schönleiten (50) · Schattberg (Hinterglemm) (53) · Biberg (32) · Schwalbenwand (31)