Page 24 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

Le Grand Bornand /
Aravis
Only 40 minutes from the crowds in Annecy

is Le Grand Bornand. The summit of Lachat,
accessible by ski lift during the summer,
offers a dream take-off and vast XC potential.
It’s also a classic place to pass by while flying
routes along the Bornes and Aravis massifs.
Come here to fly above the inversion
during strong anticyclonic days in the
summer and autumn. It is not rare to share
thermls with bearded vultures, who are
always curious and will show you the way.
The large and organised thermal of Lachat puts
you in the ideal position to glide to the Aravis to

the east or the Jalouvre range to the west. Above
2,400m, you can see the immensity of Lake
Geneva, far and close at the same time. A spring
classic is to fly towards Lake Annecy and go for a
beautiful out-and-return, pushing deep to the end
of the Bauges Massif. Many pilots fly their first
100km from Le Grand Borand.
https://bit.ly/2BjzQRn
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint

Samoëns

Paragliders were flown for the first time 40
years ago, not far away from here above the
town of Mieussy and the culture of free flight
is well established in the area.
Several sites are accessible from Samoëns,
and they are gateways to long distance
flights towards the surrounding massifs: the
Chablais, Aravis, Aiguilles Rouges. To tame
the place and enjoy a view of Lake Geneva

after climbing to cloudbase, launch from
La Bourgeoise late in the morning and treat
yourself with a flight up the valley to Mieussy
before venturing into the Chablais with the
help of a light N flow and the valley breezes.
The flight back through ancient glaciated
valleys in the Bostan and Criou areas will
take you over some of the most beautiful

landscapes of Haute Savoie.
The season begins in March depending on
snow. June and July are great, Sept and Oct
also offer incredibly good conditions.
ete.samoens.com/hebergement-ete.html
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint

24 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 FRANCE