Since 2001 I have always tried to spend at least a few days in the Dolomites, over the mellower Autumn months. As it's only a 2.5hr drive away from my home town of Mayrhofen.

This place is one of THE most impressive places to fly on Planet Earth, when the continental plates collided 100's of millions of year ago this area was brougt up from beneath the sea bed. The well known rock formations are mainly limestone and this area is a famous climbing area.

The whole place looks like a martian landscape.

The area has very different rock formations to most other flying areas, mainly granite in the main Alps. Looking very similar to 'The Grand Canyon'. The mountains have a dusty red/grey layered tinge to them.

Over the spring/summer months conditions are only for the brave. The valley winds earlier in the season are uncomfortably strong and the thermals likewise.