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Spot de Flaine - Le désert de Platé

Flaine - Le désert de Platé snowkite spot

France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

45.97 | 6.71

2500m

Overview

The Flaine spot is located at 2500m facing Mont-Blanc.
It's a magical spot, not crowded, consisting of a mini flat area at the start just at the exit of the DMC (the large gondolas that take you to the upper part of Flaine's domain) then a multitude of slopes beautifully oriented facing the wind which allows for all kinds of flying and freeriding. The slopes are progressive and allow you to wander for kilometers without ever taking the same path twice and without ever feeling in danger.
 
Caution: the spot is on the edge of a natural protected area (Sixt Passy) and it is forbidden to ride inside it!
 
 http://www.passy-mont-blanc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ASTERS_RN-SIXT2014.pdf
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Flaine - Le désert de Platé: when to go?

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are March, April and November, at 12 rideable days and 0 °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

16-22 knots · 74% 22-30 knots · 24% 30-40 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 16 and 22 knots — 74% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -3 °C. The wettest month is June, with 108 mm. Snow depth peaks in March, at 136 cm. Bar height is the month's rideable days; the split shows how its wind hours break down by strength.

Monthly averages — Flaine - Le désert de Platé — averaged over 3 years of records
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 9.0 68 h -3 °C 2 mm
February 5.7 59 h -1 °C 6 mm
March 13.3 127 h 0 °C 7 mm
April 12.3 116 h 1 °C 14 mm
May 7.0 65 h 6 °C 83 mm
June 7.0 74 h 12 °C 108 mm
July 0.0 1 h 15 °C 42 mm
August 0.3 3 h 15 °C 58 mm
September 2.7 25 h 9 °C 64 mm
October 2.0 25 h 8 °C 52 mm
November 10.7 97 h 0 °C 13 mm
December 10.3 84 h -2 °C 8 mm

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Technical details of Flaine - Le désert de Platé spot

Spot currently open :-)
Spot functioning
Take the Autoroute blanche from Geneva, then exit at Carroz Flaine. You need to park on the Flaine side. At the ticket office, ask for a pedestrian lift pass which costs 15 euros. Make sure to tell them that you won't be using the ski slopes, otherwise it's 21 Euro!
Once at the top, look at Mont Blanc in front of you then walk 100m to the right while orienting yourself. There are often people taking photos, so you need to go well past them so as not to disturb them!
It is also possible to descend a bit towards a flat area below on skis or snowboard before launching your kite.
Spot opening date

Open all year round

Spot type

Normal (Car access at spot edge)

Altitude: 2500m

Wind specificities
Winds mainly come from the southwest and south. The spot is relatively low-wind. It rarely blows more than 10-15 knots but in a very stable manner. However, during foehn conditions, it can easily exceed 30 knots. Sometimes, N-E winds can sweep the ridges and blow rather moderately, rarely more than 25 knots. It's also rideable in NE but rather on the upper part of the spot. N and NW winds are not rideable.
Hazards
At the beginning of the season (December), it's not uncommon for the lappiaz (limestone formations) to not be completely filled in at the top of the spot. They then represent small crevasses and the danger is very real. From January onwards, depending on snowfall, the danger diminishes. As the season progresses, the spot becomes increasingly safe.
The spot is large and extends into an off-piste area. You should not go there in case of fog. Check the webcam on Platière (In the live section of this description) before leaving. If it's foggy, forget it!
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Nostradata Kite
Spot forecast for Flaine - Le désert de Platé
07:11 19:45
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