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Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière

France · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Spot currently openAltitude 2,813 m 44.7 | 6.9

Overview

Vast backcountry kite-touring area above Saint-Véran (2,042 m), the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe, in the Queyras (Hautes-Alpes). The terrain extends from the alpine pastures above the village to Refuge de la Blanche (2,500 m), Col de Chamoussière (2,741 m), Col de Saint-Véran (2,844 m) and Tête des Toillies (3,175 m).

Stunning scenery with views of Mont Viso (3,841 m), Pic de Caramantran (3,025 m) and Queyras peaks. Varied terrain: open pastures for beginners above the village, then steeper slopes and high-altitude cols for experienced riders.

Winter access aided by Saint-Véran ski lifts (touring ticket). Overnight stays at Refuge de la Blanche for multi-day sessions.

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Spot forecast for Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière

Sunrise 07:54 · Sunset 18:40

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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

Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière: 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

247h

in July · 29 rideable days

The season runs from May to September, peaking in July: 24 rideable days a month and 247 hours of usable wind, at 10 °C. The low point is December, at 4.5 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 12 rideable days J February: 8 rideable days F March: 12 rideable days M April: 15 rideable days A May: 23.5 rideable days M June: 24 rideable days J July: 29 rideable days29 d J August: 22 rideable days A September: 19.5 rideable days S October: 15.5 rideable days O November: 7.5 rideable days N December: 4.5 rideable days4.5 d D 0 10 20 30 January: 12 rideable days J February: 8 rideable days F March: 12 rideable days M April: 15 rideable days A May: 23.5 rideable days M June: 24 rideable days J July: 29 rideable days29 d J August: 22 rideable days A September: 19.5 rideable days S October: 15.5 rideable days O November: 7.5 rideable days N December: 4.5 rideable days4.5 d D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 83%13-20 knots · 16%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 83% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -4 °C. The wettest month is September, with 127 mm. Snow depth peaks in January, at 17 cm.

Monthly averages: Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière
Monthly averages — Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 12.0 76 h -4 °C 75 mm
February 8.0 41 h -2 °C 53 mm
March 12.0 82 h -1 °C 123 mm
April 15.0 117 h 2 °C 94 mm
May 23.5 177 h 5 °C 94 mm
June 24.0 205 h 12 °C 124 mm
July 29.0 247 h 13 °C 61 mm
August 22.0 157 h 14 °C 109 mm
September 19.5 116 h 8 °C 127 mm
October 15.5 94 h 4 °C 91 mm
November 7.5 42 h 0 °C 70 mm
December 4.5 31 h -3 °C 40 mm

Photo gallery of Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière

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Technical details of Saint-Véran / La Blanche / Col de Chamoussière spot

N: Rideable NNE: Not rideable NE: Not rideable ENE: Not rideable E: Not rideable ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Not rideable S: Rideable SSW: Not rideable SW: Not rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, S, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable
Local association recommendations

FFVL – French Free Flight Federation

Spot functioning

Backcountry kite-touring. Options include:

Pastures above Saint-Véran: access via ski lifts then touring skins.

Refuge de la Blanche (2,500 m, staffed): base for exploring Col de Chamoussière, Col de Saint-Véran and Tête des Toillies. Multi-day loops possible via Refuge Agnel.

Spot opening date
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Spot type
Freeride (Ski touring access)
Altitude
2,813 m
Parking

From Guillestre, head towards Château-Queyras then Molines-en-Queyras then Saint-Véran. Parking at the village (2,042 m).

Use Saint-Véran ski station touring ticket to reach the top of the ski area and reduce approach time.

For Refuge de la Blanche: from Saint-Véran, hike via Chapelle de Clausis and Aigue Blanche valley (~2h).

Wind specificities

Works mainly in west to north-west wind. Wind enters through the cols (Chamoussière, Saint-Véran) and sweeps the pastures.

South wind can also work but is often associated with Nebbia reducing visibility.

High altitude (2,500 m+) ensures consistent wind. Cols channel and accelerate airflow.

Hazards

High altitude (2,500-3,175 m): fast-changing weather, freezing wind. Full mountain equipment essential.

Nebbia: Italian fog common in Queyras, can reduce visibility to zero.

Avalanches: high-mountain terrain with steep slopes. Beacon/shovel/probe mandatory.

Protected areas: Queyras Regional Nature Park includes protected zones. Respect regulations.

Remoteness: wild and isolated. Bring skins, poles, GPS and charged phone.

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Nearby spots

All spots: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

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