DESTINATIONS
FOUR SEASONS IN THE ALPS
T
he Alps is a mecca for free flight and is perfectly set up for flying at any time of the year. Good infrastructure, cable cars, roads or trails to launch, public transport in the valleys, and a well-developed search and rescue system all set against a grand landscape of mountains, lakes, glaciers and forests. For first-time visitors here’s our introductory guide to making the most of the Alps.
Spring
XC SEASON Spring in the Alps – active air and strong climbs Photo: Adi Geisegger
44
Spring in the Alps is when the XC season kicks off. You will often see huge flights done around mid-April, when the sun is getting stronger and much of the snow in the valleys has melted. The Alpine XC season then lasts all spring and summer. For first-time visitors wanting to fly XC the Alps can be a little overwhelming. They present complicated terrain for flying with complex mountain meteorology. Start to get to grips with them by first understanding where you are in the bigger picture.
CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2020 THE ALPS
The central geographical division is the main Alpine ridge (the highest mountains in the range are in the centre) that runs west to east and divides north from south. The mountains in the Alps rise to 4,800m and are so big they block the weather; your XC flight will rarely cross the main range. Typically the climate in the northern Alps is wetter, the southern Alps drier and warmer. Spring arrives sooner in the south. Secondly, are you west or east? This will also influence what climate you can expect: France’s Southern Alps are hotter and drier than Slovenia and Austria in the east. Thirdly, know that a lot of the time flying XC in the Alps means following the valleys and mountain ridges; only on very rare days will you be able to fly above the highest peaks. Fourthly, mountain chains make their own weather and have a daily cycle: air flows in during the day, and out at night. Having a basic understanding of aspect, valley breezes, valley winds and the lee side is important.
