Bivio snowkite spot

Switzerland · Graubünden

Spot currently openAltitude 2,330 m 46.43 | 9.65

Overview

The Bivio spot is actually an alpine area that leads to the Septimer Pass. This spot is very diverse and the entire alpine area is kiteable depending on the wind. The spot is mainly hilly, but countless ride-ups are possible all around. At the bottom, at Plan Camfer, there is a marsh that provides a perfectly flat area suitable for less experienced kiters.

Access with the ski lift:
It is possible to buy two one-way tickets that allow you to reach the upper station of the Bivio ski area (towards Mount Scalotta) by changing ski lifts once. Either you have to traverse across the hillside to arrive directly at the Septimer Pass, where it is easier to set up your kite and the wind is stronger. Or you can descend directly to Plang Camfer, here you need to make sure to cross the bridge over the small gorge. The power line does not represent a problem, pass underneath it during the descent and it should not bother you anymore while kiting.

The direct descent behind the ski lift should be undertaken in case of low or moderate avalanche danger and with a 3-4bf wind at the top of the ski lift, otherwise there is not enough wind to climb back up the valley to the pass! The westward traverse that leads directly to the pass should be taken when conditions are a bit more critical and forecasts are weaker. At the pass, the wind is generally 3bf stronger than down at Plang Camfer.

Access with kite and skins:

You need to climb with skins until the wind is sufficient. It is sometimes possible to start kiting just above the ski lift near the cabin that has a flag. By observing the flag on the cabin, which is about 100m above the starting station, you can easily see if the wind is sufficient or if you need to walk longer with skins. To start from near the house with the flag, good knowledge of kiting and the region is necessary! Additionally, you have to cross streams. To avoid taking risks, the safest option is to climb with skins to Plang Campfer and set up your kite from there. This represents a 3 km walk with 350m of elevation gain.

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Spot forecast for Bivio

Sunrise 07:45 · Sunset 18:26

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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

Bivio: 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

194h

in April · 22 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are April, March and January, at 21 rideable days and 0 °C. The low point is August, at 0 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 18.5 rideable days J February: 11 rideable days F March: 21 rideable days M April: 22 rideable days22 d A May: 18.5 rideable days M June: 8 rideable days J July: 2 rideable days J August: 0 rideable days0 d A September: 5 rideable days S October: 5 rideable days O November: 12.5 rideable days N December: 15.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 18.5 rideable days J February: 11 rideable days F March: 21 rideable days M April: 22 rideable days22 d A May: 18.5 rideable days M June: 8 rideable days J July: 2 rideable days J August: 0 rideable days0 d A September: 5 rideable days S October: 5 rideable days O November: 12.5 rideable days N December: 15.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 90%13-20 knots · 10%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 90% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -3 °C. The wettest month is July, with 219 mm. Snow depth peaks in March, at 141 cm.

Monthly averages: Bivio
Monthly averages — Bivio — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 18.5 133 h -3 °C 118 mm
February 11.0 96 h -1 °C 73 mm
March 21.0 212 h 0 °C 131 mm
April 22.0 194 h 3 °C 108 mm
May 18.5 138 h 6 °C 144 mm
June 8.0 62 h 14 °C 212 mm
July 2.0 17 h 14 °C 219 mm
August 0.0 0 h 15 °C 142 mm
September 5.0 39 h 9 °C 208 mm
October 5.0 36 h 6 °C 145 mm
November 12.5 95 h 1 °C 92 mm
December 15.5 102 h -1 °C 54 mm

Photo gallery of Bivio

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Technical details of Bivio spot

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

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Spot type
Normal (Car access at spot edge)
Altitude
2,330 m
Parking

The ideal parking is located at the top of Bivio, at the start of the ski lift at the place called "Plan Buel".

Wind specificities

The Septimer Pass is not as exposed as other passes like the nearby Bernina. If there's a storm at Bernina (5Bf or more), Septimer is generally perfect. The best is to check the Meteoblue wind diagram where you should have 30km/h for a good day. With such forecasts, you can easily return to Bivio by kite. One of the problems with the Bivio spot is the fog that often engulfs it. While the sun shines in Engadine, here you can find yourself in thick fog.

Hazards

This spot is located in the Alps, the avalanche safety trio (shovel, probe, and transceiver) is essential. Snow slides and avalanches have already occurred on the access paths to the spot from the top of the ski lift (Mot Scalotta).

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Materdell4.1 kmsource slf.ch

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Additional stations

  • Vairana6.1 km

    Readings reserved for Premium members

    source slf.ch

  • Bivio3.6 km

    Readings reserved for Premium members

    source MétéoSuisse

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Directory: Switzerland

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