Paragliding Gitschberg 2

Meransen, Italy, offers a paragliding site with an altitude range of 2180-2400 meters. This site is regularly used and provides good cross-country (XC) flying opportunities with various takeoff options. The site record is an impressive 172.3 km. The primary takeoff spot is Gitschberg 2, located above the Gitschhütte, with takeoff directions to the east, southeast, and south. It is about a 15-minute walk from the mountain railway, making it a suitable choice on good cross-country days or when there are east or south winds. The takeoff is on the ski slope at the summit, which is an excellent starting point for flights heading east along the Pustertal Valley. For more information, you can contact Bat-Flyers Weitental at [Bat-Flyers Weitental](http://batflyers.jimdo.com/fluggebiet-bergbahn). The Gitschberg offers multiple takeoff options and is a great starting point for cross-country flights along the Pustertal Valley. The summit provides a stunning view of the Dolomites and is accessible via a cable car in winter. In summer, or when the ski season is over, you typically need to hike from the middle station to the ski slope for takeoff. If the cable car is not operational, you can hike from Kieneralm (between Meransen and Weitental). Landing in Meransen requires thermal support, and you should only land on mowed meadows. Pilots from the Batflyers Weitental club and the Flyart flight school usually take off from the east side of the mountain at 'Oberhof' and use the thermals from there. The landing spot at Lanerhof in Weitental is approached from the southeast takeoff. The Gitschberg is a good starting point for finding light thermals. If you don't catch any thermals, you can glide over the meadows to Meransen. Otherwise, you must land in Weitental. Pilots should be comfortable with reverse launches as the thermal updraft can be strong around midday. Be cautious of wind systems around the mountain ridge before takeoff, as rotors can form on both sides if the wind is not directly aligned with the slope. For cable car operating times, visit [Meransen](http://www.meransen.com/). The cable car operates from mid-June to October, with a midday break. Operating hours are from 8:30 to 11:45 and from 13:30 to 17:00. In spring, when the cable car is not in service, you can drive to the 'Scharte' parking lot at Kieneralm (1741 m). From there, it's about a 45-minute hike to the Gitschhütte (2210 m), the cable car's mountain station. Bring provisions as the huts may not be open. The Gitschberg is a beautiful starting point for cross-country flights, overlooking the Meransen plateau. The area has its own microclimate, offering unique flying conditions. However, respect the dangers, especially with north winds, and consider the Seiser Alm as an alternative. In summer, the gondola only goes to the middle station, requiring a hike to gain altitude. Without thermal support, the glide to the next landing spot is long, especially if you aim to land in Meransen. Landing at the church without gaining altitude is unrealistic, but you can land near the cable car on the slope. Avoid landing in the Pustertal Valley due to its narrowness and obstacles like streams and power lines. In winter, you can combine skiing with paragliding. If the lower slopes are snow-free, you can fly for 1-2 hours around midday. The thermal updraft is usually near the Kiener-Alm slope. Winter takeoff spots are near the summit station, with the east takeoff being good for cross-country thermals in spring. In spring, avoid flying with north winds and consider Kronplatz instead. Early thermals can be found on the east side of Gitschberg, with routes to Bruneck and back. If you get low before Pfunderertal, fly in for landing and thermal opportunities. The valley wind in Pustertal changes with the sun, blowing east in the morning and west in the afternoon. This makes returning flights from Sillian challenging. The last thermal lift before landing is often found over the forest hill near Meransen. In autumn, Gitschberg is a good alternative to the Dolomites. The cable car operates until mid-October. With high-pressure conditions and east winds, a 15-minute walk to Gitschhütte allows for better east takeoffs. The landing spot in Meransen requires a glide ratio of at least 7 to reach without thermals. The landing spot is higher than the cable car's valley station, so plan your flight to avoid landing in the village. Use the church spire as a reference point. For weather information, visit [South Tyrol Weather](http://www.provinz.bz.it/wetter/suedtirol.htm).