Overview

Snowkite

Backcountry snowkite spot on the alpine pastures of Sénépy (1,769 m), an iconic summit in the Matheysine area overlooking Monteynard lake, in the Taillefer massif (Isère, France). Exceptional 360° panorama: eastern Vercors cliffs, Dévoluy with the Obiou, Taillefer massif, Belledonne, Chartreuse and Monteynard lake.

Starting point is Pierre Plantée (1,559 m), at the top of the small Signaraux Nordic ski area. Follow the ridgeline across vast gently sloping alpine pastures (Serre de la Combette, Serre de l'Horizon) to Col du Sénépy (1,526 m), then climb the steep eastern slopes to the broad summit plateau.

The spot works in north or south wind. Difficulty is quite high on the final section as the Sénépy slopes are steep and wind is rarely aligned with the ascent. An experienced slope rider will find it manageable.

Access via Vizille, La Motte d'Aveillans then Les Signaraux. About 45 min from Grenoble.

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Spot forecast for Le Senepy

Sunrise 07:59 · Sunset 18:44

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Le Senepy: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

110h

in January · 13.5 rideable days

The season runs from November to January, peaking in January: 7 rideable days a month and 110 hours of usable wind, at 4 °C. The low point is February, at 0 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 52%13-20 knots · 40%21-30 knots · 8%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 52% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 2 °C. The wettest month is September, with 137 mm. Snow depth peaks in January, at 9 cm.

Monthly averages: Le Senepy

Monthly averages — Le Senepy — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	13.5	110 h	2 °C	105 mm
February	0.0	0 h	5 °C	35 mm
March	0.0	0 h	6 °C	56 mm
April	0.0	0 h	10 °C	81 mm
May	0.0	0 h	12 °C	102 mm
June	0.0	0 h	19 °C	88 mm
July	0.0	0 h	19 °C	55 mm
August	0.0	0 h	21 °C	60 mm
September	0.0	0 h	14 °C	137 mm
October	0.0	0 h	11 °C	124 mm
November	4.5	39 h	6 °C	84 mm
December	2.0	17 h	3 °C	82 mm

Photo gallery of Le Senepy

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Spot video

Play: Le Senepy, video 1

Technical details of Le Senepy spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, SSE, S, SSW, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Local association recommendations

Onekite – Isère-based kitesurfing, snowkite and powerkite association

FFVL – French Free Flight Federation

Spot functioning

Backcountry kite-touring spot. Start from Pierre Plantée (top of the Signaraux station, reachable by ski lift when open or on foot otherwise).

Follow the ridgeline southward: Serre de la Combette, Serre de l'Horizon, Col du Sénépy (1,526 m). From the col, climb the steep eastern slopes to the Sénépy summit plateau (1,769 m).

Extensive riding area across the alpine pastures between Pierre Plantée and the summit. Bring touring skins and poles in case the wind drops.

Spot opening date

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Spot type: Resort (Ski lift access)
Altitude: 1,521 m

Parking

From Grenoble, head towards Vizille then La Motte d'Aveillans. Follow the small road to Les Signaraux (Nordic ski area). Park at the Signaraux station car park (1,279 m).

From there, hike up or take the ski lift (when operating) to Pierre Plantée (1,559 m). In strong north wind, it may be possible to start directly from the Signaraux parking.

Wind specificities

Sénépy works in north wind or south wind.

North wind (most common): at the ski lift base, wind is very turbulent due to trees — constant kite loops needed. Once past the tree line, wind stabilises quickly and 10 kite loops take you to the top. In strong north wind, launch possible from Signaraux parking.

South wind: also rideable but less common for this spot.

Wind on the exposed ridges is generally consistent. On the Sénépy slopes, wind is rarely aligned with the ascent, making the climb technical.

Hazards

Steep slopes: the eastern face of Sénépy is steep and wind is rarely aligned with the climb. Good piloting skills in slopes required.

Fence posts: a farmer places posts along the path from the col southwestward. Be careful until they are covered by snow.

Weather station: located on the ridge near the La Ruine kite area — watch out for kite lines.

Turbulent launch: at the ski lift base, wind is very disturbed by trees. Constant active piloting needed. Wind stabilises once past the tree line.

Remoteness: backcountry spot — bring touring skins in case the wind drops.

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Senepy2 kmsource FFVL

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Additional stations

Lavars9.4 km

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source infoclimat
LA MURE- RADOME4.2 km

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source meteofrance

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Nearby spots

All spots: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

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Le Senepy snowkite spot