Le Grand-Bornand is located in Haute-Savoie, France, 30 km east from Annecy. The flying site allows many flight possibilities both in winter and summer. Take off is at the top of Mont Lachat, highest point of the ski resort. This large grassy slope faces South West in front of the village, with a stunning view on the Bargy in the East and on the Aravis chain on the west. We can also see the top of Mont Blanc behind Aravis Chain. On the south is the Tournette which leads to Annecy Lake and Bauges massif.
Access to take off is done by cable car and charilift, which removes all car problems and allows to make easily several flights in the day. The landing is 1100m below, near the village.
It’s an awesome start for cross country flying. In the morning the East faces of the Bargy allows to start the day with the discovery of Jalouvre and its many chamois and birds. Then west faces in the Aravis opens the road towards Annecy, or Chamonix in the North-west. Grand-Bo has the advantage to allows early cross country starts thanks to east faces, and in case of early landing, you just have to take the chairlift to fly again !
This site is not only for expert pilots but also for beginners. Indeed the thermal is most of the time above the Arces, small relief in front of the take off. We reach it higher than the relief, and so we can turn in the thermal without worrying about thermal. It’s really safe to learn how to climb in a thermal.
The official landing is in la vallée du Bouchet, because as soon as the breeze went through the village landing become turbulent and dangerous.
GPS take off : 45°57'35"N - 6°28'34"E 2060 m ASL.