Slope soaring holidays in the “Valley of the Alpine Pastures”

At this very special slope soaring hotel in Austria, you’ll find everything your models need:

• Special transport trailers
• Secure storage facilities in the hotel and underground car park
• Battery charging stations 
• Up-to-date wind information

At the hotel bar, the regular flyers’ table brings like-minded people together to share experiences and plan their next flight. Add free parking, Wi-Fi, and an atmosphere where slope soaring enthusiasts feel at home straight away, and the Ziach & Candy becomes the perfect base for your slope soaring holiday in Austria.

Since 2012, slope soaring has drawn model flyers from all over the world to the Grossarltal valley in Austria. The potential of this valley was discovered by Jürgen Witt, an internationally renowned slope soaring pilot, who came across the perfect launch and landing sites while hiking here. His passion gave rise to an annual flyers’ gathering for model glider enthusiasts. Grossarl, around an hour’s drive south of Salzburg, is situated in an elevated, largely fog-free setting surrounded by more than 40 managed Alpine huts. Ideal conditions for beginners, experienced pilots, and experts alike.

Slope soaring highlights:
Special trailers – direct transport to Naturplatzl, Bichlalm, and Unterwandalm (taxi subject to a charge) 
5 launch sites plus 1 for model paragliders – the right spot for every wind direction
Battery charging stations – in the hotel
Secure storage – in the hotel and underground car park
Flyers’ table – community and exchange
Wind information – up-to-date and reliable

In the Grossarltal valley, you can fly either in the Open Category (for models up to 10 kg) or under Article 16 (for larger models and higher-flying altitudes).

The following regulations apply in both cases:

• Registration required in the MFV Grossarltal valley online flight log: https://flugbuch.prop.at/grossarl/index.php
• Valid proof of registration and insurance in accordance with EU Regulation 2019/947
• EU certificate of competence A1/A3 (drone licence, free of charge at https://www.dronespace.at/en)
• Minimum age: 16
• Flying only within visual line of sight
• UAS marked with registration number
• Acknowledgement of the model airfield operating regulations (MFBO)

For flights under Article 16, the following regulations also apply:

• A second pilot must monitor the airspace as an observer.
• Models over 10 kg must carry a functioning anti-collision light (white flashing) on the upper fuselage or tail.
• Above a flying altitude of 120 metres, an altimeter visible to the pilot is mandatory.
• The Article 16 notice must be acknowledged and signed.

The Article 16 notice and the MFBO must both be acknowledged with an online signature in the flight log.

You will find the most beautiful flying site in the Grossarltal valley above the upper station of the Panorama gondola lift, in the direction of Kreuzkogel. Flying is possible in NE/E/SE/S/SW winds, and even when the wind is light and the sun is strong, conditions here are often excellent. Models with a wingspan of up to 7 metres enjoy ideal launch conditions along the 30-metre-wide slope edge. The landing area on the ski piste is level, stone-free, and closely mown in summer. Access is by gondola lift (for packed lengths up to 2 metres) or directly by taxi using our special trailer.

In S/SW/W/NW winds, Unterwandalm offers superb thermal flying. The 50-metre-wide slope edge and the stone-free landing area measuring 80 x 100 metres are suitable for models with a wingspan of up to 5 metres. Just five minutes away on foot, there is a mountain hut serving homemade Kaiserschmarrn (torn pancakes) and home-grown produce. Access is by taxi with our special trailer.

One of the valley’s loveliest viewpoints, open from early June to late October. In S/SW/W winds, you can fly models with a wingspan of up to 4.5 metres. The large meadow south of the hut is free of stones and trees. You can reach the site by Alpine taxi or on foot in around 90 minutes. Day fee: €8.00. Please ask the hut team for permission in advance.

Located on the western side of the valley, this site is suitable for models with a wingspan of up to 4.5 metres in S/SW/SE/E winds. It can be reached by car via the Schiedweg access road. Fee: €6.00. Please ask the local farmers for permission in advance.

If the wind is in the NW/N/NE, Hoamalm on the eastern side of the valley is the right choice. Models with a wingspan of up to 4.5 metres will find ideal conditions here. The site is accessible by car via the Labenbach access road. Day fee: €5.00, payable via the collection box at the hut.

Set amid beautiful Alpine scenery in the upper Ellmautal valley, this site is reserved exclusively for model paragliders and can be used in W/NW winds. The flying meadow is free of stones and trees. Access by car is via a toll road that costs €5.00, payable in coins. Please note that sections of the gravel road are extremely steep.