Schlick 2000 in Stubai
Schlick 2000 ski and hiking area, also known as Kreuzjoch, provides a fantastic panoramic view of Stubaital and the nearby mountain ranges. It's a favored spot for cross-country pilots and hike & fly pilots looking to take off towards the sunrise.
Schlick paragliding site
Place: Fulpmes
Take off: 2.130m
Landing site: 930m
Height difference: 1.200m
Take off direction: SE-SSW
Transportation: Kreuzjochbahn
Difficulty: Medium (for intermediate pilots)
Particularly in spring, autumn, and winter, Kreuzjoch boasts more sunlight compared to Elfer, thanks to its orientation. There are ample parking spaces near the valley station, and it's just a 10-15 minute walk to the landing site from there.
The takeoff point sits at a relatively high elevation of 2.130m and faces southeast. This makes the Schlick 2000 flight area an ideal starting point for numerous cross-country flights. With a significant altitude difference to the valley floor (1.200m), it's also possible to enjoy long hike & fly adventures from here.
Take off
Take off: 47°08’42.4″N 11°18’27.8″E
The Kreuzjoch takeoff is positioned right below the gondola station at approximately 2.130m. It benefits from an ideal wind direction from the south and southeast, and it's equipped with windsocks and wind vanes. This takeoff spot is accessible year-round, free from obstacles, and features initially flat terrain that then steeply slopes. It's spacious enough for about 3-4 paragliders to prepare and take off side by side.
Landing site
Landing site: 47°08’51.5″N 11°20’43.4″E
For detailed information about the landing site, please contact the the local club. It's crucial not to fly over the area marked in red (the farm). The landing site is around a 10-15 minute walk through the town of Fulpmes from the parking area at the Kreuzjochbahn. There's no separate landing fee as it's already included in the lift ticket.
Landing is prohibited below the valley station. Especially on windy and thermally active days, landing at the valley station is life-threatening due to the many leeward rotors and is quickly underestimated. In winter, however, people often land below the last parking space at the valley station. If there is a lot of wind or thermals, the official landing site is recommended.
Valley Wind
Valley winds from the northeast, coming from the Inn Valley, allow for soaring at Elfer, especially during the midday hours in summer. Keep in mind that a northeast wind can amplify the valley wind in Stubai. Beginners, in particular, should be cautious and consider flying in the morning when conditions are calmer.
Foehn
Be cautious during foehn weather conditions, as both strong southern foehn and northern foehn can create turbulent conditions at Elfer. Refer to the Foehn diagram for specific details. It's challenging to distinguish between southern and northern foehn based solely on the pressure difference between Bolzano and Innsbruck.
As a general guideline, when the foehn diagram displays a pressure difference of up to 4 hPa on Patscherkofel, you can anticipate wind speeds of approximately 30-50km/h (southern foehn). In such conditions, flying at Schlick (higher takeoff location) may become less favorable, but Elfer could still be flyable. However, when the pressure difference reaches 6 hPa or more, it often results in very strong winds with gusts exceeding 80 km/h. You might visually spot a foehn wall on the mountain range southeast of Elfer.
Kindly be aware that this information does not serve as an endorsement or recommendation for flying in foehn weather conditions and strong winds. Even with a 4 hPa pressure difference, foehn conditions can lead to highly windy and gusty situations. Exercise extreme caution when considering this information, and please understand that we bear no responsibility for your choices.
