bassano area - semonzo
Semonzo lies just beneath the 'Monte Grappa' ridge. The peak and highest launch there is 1750m. The sites find themselves on the first foothills of the Southern Alps, just behind is the Feltre valley & the Dolomites.
It's easily reached with cheap flights to Venice by both Ryanair & easyJet.
Out front are mainly flat plains that stretch off to Treviso around 50km to the South East. It's possible to jump the valley behind and fly in the World famous Feltre valley.
However most of the best and easiest XC flying is along the main ridge and out into the flats infront.
Our popular flight around here is a 50km flat triangle and should around 3hrs to complete, click here for SeeYou file. Although there are shorter routes also possible. We have extensive turnpoints through the local and not-so local area, click here for updated turnpoint file.
We have a large amount of turnpoints along the ridge and out in the flats. Plus detailed maps of the area.
Even in the winter, when the thermals on the North side of the Alps are sleeping, this area works well and I believe it's a great place to stay current throughout the winter months. In fact, March can feel a lot like spring in the Zillertal with 3-5m/s climbs and base at around 12-1400m.
Thermals can be moderate to strong, depending on the weather obviously. The sites however work with very little sun as there is such a huge area heating in front of the mountains.
Although close to the sea this is not a major problem and base is normally between 1000-2000+m, on exceptional days base can reach over 3000m but this is very rare.
Due to it's location it has it's own microclimate, it's possibly one of the most flyable areas in Europe. The mountains here are relatively low but there are huge mountains behind.
This protects the sites from strong winds that 'blow-out' the Dolomites, Feltre and Pieve.
Pilots on our XC courses will also have retrieve back up with our driver Luigi, a great guy and pilot with superb local knowledge.
The main landing areas in town are large and a just short walk from the centre of town.
This area is already very famous amongst pilots all over Europe. The sites have successfully held PWC comps over the years and the local club has reshaped the launches here.
If you want to improve your flying skills then make sure you fly with pilots who know the area and it's quirks inside-out.
around town
Food & Drink
Breakfast is served at Tilly's from 8 - 9.30am, it's the usual cereal, cheese & meats, toast/bread with juice, tea & coffee. [more]
There are no places to eat on launch so we normally stock up from the supermarket. Just 50m from Tilly's.
There are 3 main restaurants.
L'Antica Abbazia, Tilly's & Garden Relais, my favourite is L'Abbazzia (The Old Abbey). Great food & wine, reasonably priced.
The area is famous for it's strong spirit called 'Grappa'. Very similar to schnaps but drink with caution, 50% proof!
