Overview

Snowkite

Col de la Madeleine (1993m) is one of France's most renowned snowkite spots, alongside Col du Lautaret and Petit Saint Bernard. Located in Savoie, it connects Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, offering a 5.5 km opening between the Lauzière massif (west, 2829m) and Cheval Noir (east, 2832m).

The pass benefits from regular wind due to its altitude and position as a passage between two valleys. Stunning views of Mont Blanc from the summit.

Access via ski lifts from Valmorel or Saint-François-Longchamp (resorts connected at the pass).

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Spot forecast for Col de la Madelaine

Sunrise 07:57 · Sunset 18:41

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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

Col de la Madelaine: 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

144h

in January · 17 rideable days

The season runs from November to April, peaking in January: 14 rideable days a month and 144 hours of usable wind, at 2 °C. The low point is June, at 0 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 81%13-20 knots · 18%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 81% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 0 °C. The wettest month is January, with 221 mm. Snow depth peaks in January, at 115 cm.

Monthly averages: Col de la Madelaine

Monthly averages — Col de la Madelaine — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	17.0	144 h	0 °C	221 mm
February	12.0	104 h	1 °C	69 mm
March	15.5	140 h	2 °C	64 mm
April	14.5	132 h	6 °C	96 mm
May	6.0	47 h	8 °C	151 mm
June	0.0	0 h	15 °C	110 mm
July	0.0	0 h	16 °C	173 mm
August	0.0	0 h	17 °C	119 mm
September	0.0	0 h	10 °C	189 mm
October	2.5	23 h	8 °C	178 mm
November	9.0	61 h	3 °C	149 mm
December	13.5	86 h	1 °C	134 mm

Photo gallery of Col de la Madelaine

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Technical details of Col de la Madelaine spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

The pass works as a wind corridor between the Lauzière and Cheval Noir massifs. Ideal position to catch airflow between Maurienne and Tarentaise.

Large alpine meadows at the summit allow great cruising and freeride sessions.

Spot opening date

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Spot type: Freeride (Ski touring access)
Altitude: 2,002 m

Parking

Access via Valmorel (Tarentaise side) or Saint-François-Longchamp (Maurienne side). Ski lifts can be used to reach the pass.

Road to the pass only open from late May to November (closed in winter).

Hazards

Altitude: 2000m, weather conditions can be severe.

Ski lifts: beware of cables and pylons near the ski area.

Terrain: check snow conditions and avalanche risk before venturing off marked areas.

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G2 Soleil Rouge2.2 kmsource Pioupiou

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Additional stations

TSD BIOLLENE -Domaine Skiable Valmorel3.4 km

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source Pioupiou
G2 Marquis3.2 km

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source Pioupiou

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Webcams near Col de la Madelaine

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

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Col de la Madelaine snowkite spot