Overview

The Emparis plateau is one of the most beautiful and largest snowkite spots in France, perched above La Grave in the Hautes-Alpes. Breathtaking views of the north face of La Meije (3,983 m) and Le Râteau. Altitude between 2,000 m and 2,535 m (Petit Têt).

The terrain is vast and varied: domes, ridges, hollows, small cols, sustained slopes and powder bowls. Wind is generally strong on the domes and ridges, more erratic in the valleys, making riding technical but extraordinarily fun.

Easy access via the Chazelet ski lift (station above La Grave). Ideal backup spot when wind is too strong at Col du Lautaret. Several sub-spots: ridges above the lift, Serre Bernard (2,363 m), Petit Têt (2,535 m), Col du Souchet (2,360 m), and the true Emparis plateau beyond.

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Spot forecast for Plateau d'Emparis

Sunrise 07:57 · Sunset 18:42

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

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Plateau d'Emparis: 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

186h

in July · 26 rideable days

The season runs from April to September, peaking in July: 22 rideable days a month and 186 hours of usable wind, at 10 °C. The low point is November, at 11 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 78%13-20 knots · 21%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 78% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -2 °C. The wettest month is January, with 230 mm. Snow depth peaks in January, at 118 cm.

Monthly averages: Plateau d'Emparis

Monthly averages — Plateau d'Emparis — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	14.5	126 h	-2 °C	230 mm
February	12.5	93 h	-1 °C	64 mm
March	17.5	148 h	0 °C	98 mm
April	19.5	166 h	3 °C	95 mm
May	20.0	128 h	6 °C	101 mm
June	23.5	201 h	14 °C	135 mm
July	26.0	186 h	14 °C	86 mm
August	22.0	127 h	16 °C	111 mm
September	19.5	137 h	9 °C	149 mm
October	16.0	113 h	6 °C	182 mm
November	11.0	69 h	1 °C	151 mm
December	13.0	103 h	-1 °C	113 mm

Photo gallery of Plateau d'Emparis

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Technical details of Plateau d'Emparis spot

The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Local association recommendations

Onekite – Isère-based kitesurfing, snowkite and powerkite association. Many session reports from Emparis on the forum.

FFVL – French Free Flight Federation

Spot functioning

Standard access via the Plateau d'Emparis ski lift from Chazelet station (above La Grave). At the lift summit (~2,100 m), wind is immediately felt.

Several levels of exploration:

Chazelet ridges: accessible straight from the lift, ideal for first discovery.

Serre Bernard (2,363 m) and Petit Têt (2,535 m): kite-powered ascent in east wind, playful slopes and powder bowls.

Col du Souchet (2,360 m): gateway to the true Emparis plateau. Trickier in north wind.

Grand Emparis tour: serious commitment, plan a full day, reconnoitre terrain beforehand.

Spot opening date

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Spot type: Freeride (Ski touring access)
Altitude: 2,444 m

Parking

From Grenoble, head towards Col du Lautaret then La Grave. Drive up to Le Chazelet village (above La Grave). Park at the Chazelet station.

Take the Plateau d'Emparis ski lift to the top (~2,100 m). Touring ticket: approx. €5 per ride. You can check wind conditions from Villard d'Arène with binoculars — a large windsock is visible at the lift summit.

Alternative access from Besse-en-Oisans (600-800 m elevation gain on touring skins).

Wind specificities

Emparis works best in east and north-east wind — the prime orientation. Expect at least 25 knots forecast E/SE to be sure. Emparis is the best backup when Lautaret is too windy for the 3 Évêchés.

East / North-East wind: riding in all directions, full exploitation of the spot. 20-30 knots on ridges and venturi effects at small cols, calmer in hollows.

North-West: works in the ascent section (ridges above the lift).

West and South: theoretically rideable but La Meije directly opposite may block some south orientations.

Wind is strong on domes and erratic in valleys. Complex patterns: wind can shift direction depending on your location on the plateau.

Hazards

Serious alpine mountain spot requiring experience and humility. Mountain snowkiting is a true mountaineering discipline.

Avalanches: despite the name "plateau", there are many steep slopes below ridges and in bowls. Significant wind slab risk in easterly flow. Beacon/shovel/probe mandatory. Check avalanche bulletin before every outing.

Wind holes: the rolling terrain creates wind-dead zones in hollows. You can get stuck far from the lift and have to walk a very long time to find wind again.

Remoteness: beyond Col du Souchet, this is one of the most remote areas in France. Bring compass, GPS, generous time margin, and touring skins.

Complex wind patterns: wind direction changes across different zones of the plateau. Reconnoitre the terrain over several sessions before committing to the grand tour.

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Décollage 2700m12.7 km

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Plateau d'Emparis