Caron Ouest
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Savoie · Nearest city: Val Thorens (4 km)
56 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 3110 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.26560, 6.55850Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:24 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Flyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~1436 m, wind 21 km/h.
base ~1436m · wind 21 km/hFlyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~727 m, strong wind (28 km/h).
base ~727m · wind 28 km/hVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1080 m, wind 10 km/h.
base ~1080m · wind 10 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 16h
- Very stable day (CAPE<50, LI>2) — no thermals
- High cloud suck (87/100) — base below freezing with 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 3947 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: 16:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 1.0°C · Td: -5.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 837 m
BL top: 1295 m
0°C level: 2560 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 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
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 | 0.38 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
On black slope of Caron, South West to North-West (the best). follow the slope, stop just before the turn to north face
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 Nord (56) · Les 2 lacs (38) · Mont de la chambre (52) · Pointe de la Masse (61) · Modane - valfrejus (49)