La Dôle

La Dôle is a cliff launch on the Jura ridge above Nyon, around 1,660 m, right next to La Barillette on the same massif — but here the takeoff only works in east or east-southeast wind, a narrower window than the valley's other launches. It's a strong thermal and soaring site with hike-and-fly appeal, reached on foot from Couvaloup or Les Dappes in summer, or via the chairlift at Les Dappes once the ski season is running. A large weather station sits right at the summit, giving pilots real-time readings before they commit to launching. Geneva's airport airspace — both the TMA and CTR — runs close by along with a protected area, so checking current boundaries matters before every flight. Landing options are genuinely varied: the flat ground at Les Dappes just over the French border behind the chairlift, Couvaloup de Crans near the ski lifts and restaurant, the chalet area up at La Dôle itself, or La Rippe if you've got the height to clear the forest on the way in. Whichever field you pick near Les Dappes, Couvaloup or the chalet, watch for grazing cows.

Launch & conditions

Cliff launch; works only in east or east-southeast wind. A weather station at the summit gives real-time readings before launching.

Getting there & local rules

Summer: on foot from Couvaloup or Les Dappes. Winter: via the chairlift at Les Dappes.

Local rules & hazards

Geneva's TMA, CTR and a protected area run close by — check current airspace boundaries before flying. Watch for grazing cows at the Les Dappes, Couvaloup and chalet landing fields, and make sure you have enough height to clear the forest if landing at La Rippe.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to La Dôle, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open La Dôle with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.