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Col du Lac Blanc snowkite spot
France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Overview
High-altitude snowkite spot located at Col du Lac Blanc (2,720 m), the gateway to the vast Plan des Cavalles plateau in the Grandes Rousses massif (Isère, France). The Plan des Cavalles is a massive high-altitude plateau stretching about 7 km from Col du Lac Blanc down to Col du Couard (2,200 m), ranging from 500 m to 1 km wide.
It is one of the most renowned snowkite spots in the Alps, offering an exceptional high-mountain atmosphere beneath the highest peaks of the Grandes Rousses (Pic Blanc, Pic Bayle, Pic de l'Étendard reaching 3,464 m). The plateau features a succession of frozen lakes (Lac du Milieu, Lac de la Fare, Lac de Balme Rousse, Lac de la Jasse) and moderate, playful terrain.
The Col du Lac Blanc area is the most accessible and suitable for beginners. Advanced riders can explore towards Col du Couard in north wind (12 km round trip) or ride up to higher elevations in south wind. The Air To Kite school run by Sébastien Grimont (Grimax) is based on the spot.
Access via Oz-en-Oisans lifts (Alpette gondola then Petites Rousses cable car, 2nd section) or from Vaujany. From the Dôme des Petites Rousses (2,800 m), ski down 70-100 m to reach the launch area at Col du Lac Blanc. About 1 hour from Grenoble.
Spot forecast for Col du Lac Blanc
Sunrise 07:59 · Sunset 18:41
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Col du Lac Blanc: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
213h
in January · 23.5 rideable days
The season runs from November to May, peaking in January: 19 rideable days a month and 213 hours of usable wind, at -1 °C. The low point is July, at 0 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 62% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -4 °C. The wettest month is January, with 312 mm. Snow depth peaks in January, at 202 cm.
Monthly averages: Col du Lac Blanc
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.5 | 213 h | -4 °C | 312 mm |
| February | 19.0 | 177 h | -2 °C | 108 mm |
| March | 19.5 | 177 h | -2 °C | 120 mm |
| April | 21.0 | 218 h | 1 °C | 135 mm |
| May | 19.0 | 181 h | 2 °C | 133 mm |
| June | 4.0 | 44 h | 10 °C | 131 mm |
| July | 0.0 | 0 h | 11 °C | 92 mm |
| August | 0.0 | 0 h | 13 °C | 98 mm |
| September | 0.0 | 0 h | 6 °C | 195 mm |
| October | 5.0 | 54 h | 4 °C | 205 mm |
| November | 17.5 | 141 h | -1 °C | 195 mm |
| December | 14.5 | 121 h | -3 °C | 166 mm |
Photo gallery of Col du Lac Blanc
Technical details of Col du Lac Blanc spot
The spot works with winds from N, NNE, SSE, S, SSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
Local association recommendations
Onekite – Isère-based kitesurfing, snowkite and powerkite association
Air To Kite – Snowkite school based on the spot, run by Sébastien Grimont (Grimax), operating from Vaujany
FFVL – French Free Flight Federation
Spot functioning
Snowkite/touring pass available at the lift ticket offices. The 2nd section of the Petites Rousses cable car sometimes opens late — check opening times before heading up.
From the Dôme des Petites Rousses, pass the rescue hut and ski down 70-100 m to reach the launch area at Col du Lac Blanc or Lac du Milieu. Beginners can stay in the col area. The Air To Kite school offers lessons on site.
Standard return via the pistes without climbing back to the top: a piste passes below towards Lac Blanc, heading to Oz.
Spot opening date
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
Opening hours of the ski lifts
- Spot type
- Resort (Ski lift access)
- Altitude
- 2,700 m
Parking
From Oz-en-Oisans (recommended): you can ski back down at any time, making it the most practical option. Buy your pass next to the Poutrans gondola (on the right when arriving), then walk 5 min to the Alpette gondola (on the left). Continue with the 2nd section of the Petites Rousses cable car.
From Vaujany: also possible but you need to catch a cable car back, and queues can build up. Don't miss the last cable car.
From Alpe d'Huez: access via the DMC (2nd section), then walk up from Col du Lac Blanc.
Wind specificities
North and south are the two main wind directions. The spot does not work in east wind.
North to northwest wind: ideal orientation. Possibility of kite-touring towards Col du Couard, riding upwind (descending all the way), then returning downwind. 12 km round trip through stunning high-mountain scenery. Col du Lac Blanc is particularly well exposed to wind.
South wind: works well. The simplest approach is to ride downwind to Lac de la Fare, then descend via the Refuge de la Fare couloir (a frequently used off-piste route) to catch the Dôme cable car at the intermediate station. In south wind, you can also climb to higher elevations.
Strong wind: high altitude means wind is often stronger than in the valleys. Bring appropriately sized kites.
Hazards
High altitude (2,700 m): weather conditions can change very rapidly. Dress warmly with extra layers and a balaclava. This is not a valley spot!
Avalanches: high risk on the steep slopes below the Grandes Rousses glaciers. Do not venture there when avalanche risk is elevated. Carry avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe — strongly recommended.
Weather station and pylons: do not ride near the pylons on the spot.
Wind drop: if the wind dies while riding towards Col du Couard, the return on touring skins can be extremely long, especially in deep powder. Always bring touring skins.
Visibility: frequent fog in north wind can reduce visibility to 30 m. GPS or compass navigation essential.
Cliffs and couloirs below the plateau edges. Do not attempt descent couloirs without alpine experience.
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