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Description
This paragliding site in Neustift, Austria, is highly popular and used year-round. It is relatively easy and well-protected from the weather in the Stubai Valley. However, due to its popularity and the valley's weather protection, many pilots, including beginners, may attempt to fly even in unsuitable conditions, leading to occasional accidents. Always use your common sense and consult local pilots if in doubt. This site is excellent for late starts, offers very good soaring conditions, and some cross-country (XC) flying is possible. Ideal wind directions are North to Northwest, and it is also flyable with light East winds.
XC opportunities are limited, but a beautiful valley round trip of 20-50 km is still noteworthy.
Region: Neustift, Austria
Site record: 153.6 km
For more information, visit: [APC Stubai - Hausberg Elfer](http://www.apc-stubai.at/hausberg-elfer.html)
The site features a large ski meadow and operates from mid-May to the end of October and from early December to April. For lift operating hours, check the [Elfer Lift homepage](http://www.elfer.at).
Special features include free terrain orientation and weather information provided by the local paragliding school, Parafly Stubaital GmbH. Visit their website at [Parafly Stubaital](http://www.parafly.at). Paragliding students are marked with a flutter band on their harness. Speed gliding and acro flights above the landing zone up to 1700 m are prohibited.
There are no specific start and landing fees. The Fly-Park-Stubai Card is ideal and valid at both Elfer and Schlick.
Access and toll fees: A toll of €2.50 is required at the Schönberg exit.
Acro flights are forbidden below 1700 m height; ask the school at the landing zone for more details.
The gondola ride is very direct and quick, taking around 5 minutes. The cable car is a 2-minute walk from the landing place, and the take-off place is right next to the top station from the ski slope.
In summer, the valley wind enters around midday from the North, which is suitable for soaring. The lift is at the front end of the mountain.
Be cautious as a flying school frequently operates at this site. Their shop and office are directly next to the landing place. It is also a busy commercial tandem site. When students and tandems are in the air, be mindful of your placement and stay out of their way. Maintaining good relations with the school is crucial.
The Stubai Valley is well-known for its micro-climate. Due to its proximity to the main alpine chains, it mostly stays protected from the föhn (gusty, dangerous southerly winds) for a long time, even when nearby Innsbruck experiences strong winds making it impossible to fly. Spring thermal activity may start as early as January-February.
Take-off: You can take off on both sides of the mountain depending on the wind. On one side, you have the Elfer lift, which brings you directly to the take-off place (1750 m high). It costs approximately €10 one way, or you can get a day card. On the other side, you have Schlick2000, which also has a lift that takes you to the take-off place (2100 m high).
For more information, visit [Parafly Stubaital](http://www.parafly.at).
This area is very easy for soaring flights in the afternoon. More experienced pilots can go for flights over the Habicht (3277 m) or the glaciers in the South.
Ideal wind directions are East, North, and Northwest. Soaring and thermal flights are common. In summer, soaring in the valley wind is almost daily. The Stubai Valley benefits from its micro-climate, allowing for long and often fantastic thermal flights even when other sites are grounded.
Flight: Glide flight approximately 15 minutes, with an easy entry into thermals. In summer, evening flights are possible until 22:00.
Difficulty: Easy flying area, ideal for all beginners. It features a very large take-off and landing area. The approach is made without a landing pattern, using figure-eight loops against the wind. A valley wind usually blows.
Soaring conditions: Gentle, ideal for all beginners, with laminar wind and a valley wind system.
Cable car: New 8-seater gondola, reaching the take-off place in 6 minutes.
For more information, visit [Elfer Lift](http://www.elfer.at).
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