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Spot de Col du Simplon

Col du Simplon snowkite spot

Switzerland · Wallis

46.25 | 8.03

2005m

Overview

The Simplon Pass is a superb snowkite spot that is very accessible, located at the end of Valais on the passage between Switzerland and Italy. It is one of the rare mountain passes that remains (almost) open all year round.
The spot benefits from a wind regime, either from the North or from the South. Access is by car and for the flat areas, it's a spot accessible to beginners. The freeride possibilities are enormous, but it quickly requires a very good level as soon as you want to climb a bit.
For freeriding, the Simplon spot reveals itself in south, southeast wind, the right part of the area (when arriving from Switzerland) then opens into a superb domain. Climbing with snowkite to reach the different summits/couloirs will require a good technical level and essential mountain knowledge. If the "Dahu" mode is less your thing, to the right and left of the road there are nice flat areas ideal for riding around without risks.
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Col du Simplon: when to go?

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

The season runs from November to May, peaking in April: 13 rideable days a month and 173 hours of usable wind, at 3 °C. The low point is July, at 0 days.

Rideable days per month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 84% 13-20 knots · 16% 21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 84% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -1 °C. The wettest month is April, with 163 mm. Snow depth peaks in March, at 123 cm. Bar height is the month's rideable days; the split shows how its wind hours break down by strength.

Monthly averages — Col du Simplon — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 12.0 91 h -1 °C 93 mm
February 9.5 89 h 1 °C 46 mm
March 17.0 175 h 2 °C 151 mm
April 18.5 173 h 5 °C 163 mm
May 11.0 92 h 9 °C 153 mm
June 1.5 11 h 16 °C 119 mm
July 0.0 0 h 16 °C 103 mm
August 0.0 0 h 18 °C 87 mm
September 0.0 0 h 11 °C 121 mm
October 3.5 24 h 8 °C 111 mm
November 9.0 67 h 3 °C 69 mm
December 13.0 87 h 1 °C 81 mm

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Technical details of Col du Simplon spot

Spot currently open :-)
Spot functioning
At the end of Valais on the right ;-) Access to the Simplon spot is really easy, it's signposted from Lausanne!
 Do check beforehand about road conditions, the pass is sometimes closed in winter in case of heavy snowfall.
To stay on site:
    Hotel Monte Leone: http://www.hotelmonteleone.ch/
     Simplon Hospice: https://www.simplon-hospiz.com/fr
On site you will find Pascal Nessier's school - https://www.snowkiting.ch/fr/
Spot opening date

Open all year round

Spot type

Normal (Car access at spot edge)

Altitude: 2005m

Parking
Once you arrive at the pass, there are parking areas everywhere. Please respect the designated spaces as there can be a lot of traffic (snow plows, trucks, army, etc.)
Wind specificities
A very good article to understand the wind at the Simplon Pass: https://www.snowkiting.ch/fr/météo
Hazards
On the flat parts, there are no major dangers. However, you are in the mountains at over 2000m altitude.
 For the freeride parts of the spot, there are some power lines, and it quickly gets quite steep, so don't overestimate yourself.
Update

If you notice any outdated information:

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Nostradata Kite
Spot forecast for Col du Simplon
07:19 19:18
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Foehn probability chart

This chart shows the probability of Foehn in the Swiss Alpine valleys. It is based on the pressure differential between Zurich and Lugano based on the Open Meteo model (Icon-EU).

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