why choose austrian arena?
Local Knowledge
Having been based in Mayrhofen since 1995 I have gained most of my paragliding experience here. Originally here for snow sports I have been guiding pilots around the area since 2002. While flying here I hope to give pilots the knowledge needed to fly confidently in the Alps.
When booking a paragliding holiday it's important to know that the guides understand the area and it's conditions inside-out.
Classic Alpine Conditions
Over the years of competition flying (including British Team member) I've flown many paragliding Meccas. However, if you didn't launch early that was it. The wind could become too strong. Fortunately launch here rarely gets blown out by over-the-top thermal activity, due to being on the North side of the Alps.
Large & well-formed thermals enable even low airtime pilots to achieve good XC flights around the valley. Good pilots would have no problem flying 100km on the right day.
Soar valley winds in the late afternoon & relax in the evening restitution. The Perfect thermal training.
Excellent XC Potential
The XC potential from March to June is massive, just the simple valley tour is 50km. On good days you can easily double that distance.
Early on in the season it's surprisingly easy to fly long distances. As the lower fields heat up whilst the mountains are still cool and snowy, good lapse rate almost guarenteed. The months of May and June are when the long distance flights are made.
Local Club member & ex-World Champion, Stefan Steigler made a 238km FAI triangle from one of our sites, the Austrian record. Also Thomas Walder's 254km still stands as the Austrian free-distance record.
However, don't worry we are not out to break records, just have fun and help pilots understand what is happening out here in the Alps. Although many pilots have achieved their personal bests here with us.
Big Mountains, Wide Flat Valley
Surrounding peaks range from 1500-3500m. The valley sides are steep enough to allow easy escape to the wide, flat valley below.
As the region is still mainly dairy farming there are always large flat fields to land out in.
It's these same large fields that help produce the reliable thermals enabling us to fly long XC flights in all directions.
The wide, open terrain of the Zillertal features many classic Alpine scenerios, take what you learn here to other Alpine regions.
Infra-Structure
The Zillertal is one of Austria's most well known ski areas. You'll find the lift systems to be some of the best in Europe. Efficiently transporting us to most of our high take offs and asphalt roads to over 2000m.
Some of the leading flying schools in Austria operate from our sites. Many coming for the cross-country potential in the Spring months.
Some good reasons why, I think, the Zillertal is an ideal place to hone your cross-country skills or soar, relax and have a stress-free flying holiday in the Alps.
We'll also be running short movies explaining why the mountains work like they do. Topics from what makes the perfect day to recognising lee-sides to finding efficient lines thru the mountains.
I want pilots, of all levels, to come away with a better understanding of what's happening out there, rather than launching with no real plan/idea or just following the leader.
