The launch site at Ebenalp, located in the Wasserauen region of Switzerland, is highly frequented and offers excellent cross-country flying opportunities. The main launch area is a grassy slope that starts off flat and then becomes steeper. Be cautious of rotor turbulence in strong west winds, and note that top landing is challenging and only possible in exceptional cases.
The launch site is situated just a 2-minute walk from the Ebenalp mountain station. The area is primarily used by paragliding schools and hang gliders, who have priority. The launch direction is northwest, and the site is considered easy to use. However, landing back at the launch site is generally not allowed except in emergencies.
The region is renowned for its thermal conditions, particularly over Ebenalp and the reliable Äscher thermal. If traffic density disrupts the thermals, you can head towards the Schäfler walls or the west flank of Alp Sigel for better conditions. From here, you can continue your flight towards Hoher Kasten.
For cross-country flights, the Alpstein triangle with turnpoints at Gonzen near Sargans and Amden at the western end of Walensee is legendary. A base altitude of at least 2500 meters above sea level is required for this route due to the challenging crossings over Toggenburg. Outlandings are generally not problematic in this area.
Be mindful of flight restrictions in wildlife protection zones and avoid flying in the region during strong west winds or Föhn conditions, as these can make landing at Wasserauen dangerous. Additionally, watch out for unmarked transport cables, especially the one from Schäfler, which is difficult to see from the air.
For more information, you can visit the local club, Fluggemeinschaft Alpstein, which manages the flying sites in the Alpstein region, including Ebenalp, Hoher Kasten, Kronberg, and St. Anton. Their website is [Fluggemeinschaft Alpstein](http://www.fga.ch).
For weather updates, you can check the following links:
- [Ebenalp Weather Station](http://wetterstationen.meteomedia.de/messnetz/wettergrafik/066980.png)
- [Wasserauen Landing Place Weather](http://wetterstationen.meteomedia.de/messnetz/wettergrafik/066970.png)
After flying, pilots often gather at the Restaurant Bahnhof in Wasserauen, where you can also find the Appenzell flight school and Paratech. This is a great place to meet fellow pilots and find affordable accommodation.
For more details, you can visit:
- [Gleitschirm Club Ostschweiz](http://www.gco.ch/default2.asp?cid=377421&id=188&tid=189)
- [Gleitschirm Ebenalp](http://www.gleitschirm.ch/pages/0.70.flightarea.ebenalp.html)
Watch a video of the site here: [Ebenalp Paragliding](
Click to watch video
)
