Les Lués

Les Lués is a high launch in the Swiss Alps near the Emosson Dam, reached by driving to the dam and then following a forest road further into the hills before the final approach on foot. At 2,000 m the takeoff sits well above the valley, opening a wide window from northeast through east and southeast to south, and the site is known locally for reliable thermals — useful if you're planning a proper cross-country day rather than just a sled ride down. Landing is lower in the valley at around 1,371 m, a solid altitude drop that gives room to work the glide back down. The Emosson Dam area, close to the French border near Chamonix, is dramatic high-mountain terrain, and reaching some routes here on foot rather than only by lift is part of the appeal for pilots who like combining a hike with the flight. As with any big Alpine launch, treat the forecast as a starting point and check conditions on-site before committing to fly.

Getting there & local rules

Drive to the Emosson Dam, then continue on the forest road before the final approach to launch on foot.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Les Lués, 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 Les Lués with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.