Flying Site Zettersfeld

Zettersfeld is our standard flying site. Beautiful flights are possible here in every season: leisurely glides down to the valley with wonderful views of the town of Lienz and the Lienz Dolomites, as well as thermal and cross-country flights. The Zettersfeld is a good starting point for flights northwest into the Isel Valley and the Hohe Tauern range, as well as east towards the Möll and Drau valleys (Greifenburg flying area). Flights west into the Pustertal require a high altitude before crossing the valley to Hochstein. Click here for the thermal map at thermal.kk7.ch.

Zettersfeld is a popular ski resort in winter, a popular hiking destination in summer, and the alpine pastures are used for grazing cattle. We are therefore not the only users of this mountain, so it is essential to follow these rules:

No start on the ski slope in the winter season: During the lift operation, a separate starting route is prepared for us at the Steinermandl West starting point.

A minimum altitude of 50m above the ski slopes must be maintained. Flying close to the terrain and speed gliding are strictly prohibited in these areas.

Top landing is only allowed at the Steinermandl West launch site.

Of course, all legal regulations for visual flight apply. Flying through a winter fog layer without ground visibility is not only prohibited, but in the case of this flying area it is truly life-threatening as rescue helicopters fly to the nearby hospital several times a day.

The Steinermandl launch sites are easily accessible via the Zettersfeld cable car and the Steinermandl chairlift. You can find information about operating times here. If the cable car is not in operation, you can drive up the Zettersfeld toll road to approximately 1,850 meters (parking lot near the Rottmann-Alm) and then hike up the remaining 350 meters of elevation difference.

This is our main launch site for wind directions from SSE to WSW. It is just a few steps from the chair lift station. Right next to it there is the Steinermandl restaurant, whose terrace is a great place to get in the mood for flying, watch others preparing for launch, discuss the current weather conditions, etc. In summer, launches take place directly on the ski slope, and in winter, to the west of it. The launch area is very wide and offers enough space for several paragliders to prepare for launch; the run-up is generous, there are no obstacles (except for the cows in summer…), making this a suitable launch site even for less experienced pilots. Link to the Paraspotting video.

This launch site is often used when there is a strong wind from E or SE. It is not as spacious as the main launch site, but also very pleasant and free of obstacles. Link to the Paraspotting video.

The landing site Postleite is not visible from the launch sites at Steinermandl. Its location only becomes visible when flying over the edge of the terrain near the Zettersfeld cable car top station.

The launch site is located on the road from Lienz via Gaimberg to the Faschingalm. Cars can be parked directly next to the site on the roadside. Those without car can hike up from the Postleite landing site in about 1.5 to 2 hours.

The Ebnerfeld launch site faces SSE. The takeoff stretch is relatively short, with a flat section in the end, after which the meadow soon becomes very steep; launch aborts should be initiated in good time. A slight tailwind can already make the launch quite challenging. In strong crosswinds, the adjacent trees can cause turbulences.

The Postleite landing site is not visible at takeoff, but soon after flying over the first terrain edge.