CS2027 dates

Snowkite spot · France

Font d'Urle

Riders have kited it in N, S.

Show on the map44.8989, 5.3218
Works in
N, S
Nearest airport
GNBGrenoble Alpes Isère Airport, 52 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Under the snow

Surface and skis

Riders report stones under the snow.

Riders say:

  • The access road via Combe Laval may be closed due to rockfalls.
  • With thin snow cover, rocks stick out in many places and you have to weave between them.

Rule of thumb: the smoother the ground, the less snow you need. On a mown meadow riders usually start from about 20 to 30 cm; on stubble, ploughed fields or dwarf pine you need much more.

Bring rock skis

For your first sessions, early in the season and anywhere the snow is thin, use old skis (“rock skis”) or an old snowboard. A stone hidden just under the snow can cut the base of new skis on the very first run.

Tips for this spot

  • On hills the wind is stronger and gustier than the forecast says. Behind a forest it breaks and swirls, so launch well away from trees.
  • Wind and frost add up: at −5 °C and 20 knots (10 m/s) it feels like about −14 °C. Goggles, a balaclava and spare gloves.
  • Frozen snow is hard: a helmet and back protector are worth it even on a flat plateau.

On site

Wind and riding area

NNNENEENEEESESESSESSSWSWWSWWWNWNWNNWNESW

worksno reports

Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.

Pparking

The marker shows the place riders name. We don't know the exact launch yet, please add it with the form below.

From riders

What you need to know

Who it suits
With low snow cover, solid riding skills are needed to avoid rocks.

Watch out for

  • Large embedded tree trunks on the plateau, especially along the Sentier du Karst trail, may sit just below the snow surface.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2025
  • With low clouds there is a risk of thick fog, be especially careful if you do not know the spot.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • With thin snow cover, rocks stick out in many places and you have to weave between them.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2025
  • Unremoved horse paddock posts may remain at the start of the spot toward Porte d'Urle.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2025
  • Fog can linger in the small valley, reducing visibility.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • Fog may occur here.Facebook group SNOWKITE ,KITE ,en ISERE & d'ailleurs.... 2022

Where to launch

  • In N wind, you launch directly from the parking lot or along the road towards the webcam.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • In S winds, launch by the cattle pen near the road before reaching the houses.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • Launch from the small valley (combe) before Font d'Urle.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026

Parking

  • The parking lot at Hotel Instant T serves as the starting point.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2025
  • Parking lot right at the N wind launch.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • Parking lot near the snowkite school.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • Car park about 150 m from the spot.OpenStreetMap

Getting there

  • The access road via Combe Laval may be closed due to rockfalls.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026

Conditions

  • Recommended snowkite spot in the Vercors mountains, though snow may be scarce in February.Facebook group SNOWKITE ,KITE ,en ISERE & d'ailleurs.... 2023
  • Snow is often windblown after windy snowfall; Combe aux ânes nearby is an alternative.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • In thawing snow, the surface starts sticking heavily to skis from 11:00 AM.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • Hardpack snow is common here in December, though it still glides well.Facebook group SNOWKITE ,KITE ,en ISERE & d'ailleurs.... 2022
  • A sufficiently thick snowpack is needed for riding on the plateau.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2025
  • It can rain here in December and the snow is often transformed.Facebook group SNOWKITE ,KITE ,en ISERE & d'ailleurs.... 2022

Riders' tips

  • When the wind is too strong, Vassieux (if there is enough snow) or Station de Rousset serves as a less windy backup option.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2025
  • When the small valley is foggy, visibility is usually better in the section below Gagères.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • Arriving early in the morning is recommended, before the snow gets sticky from 11:00.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026

Facilities

  • There is a snowkite school by the parking lot.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
  • On-site webcam by the road.Facebook group Snowkite Drome 2026
In riders' own words
  • „les conditions ont l’air pas mal en vent de sud. D’où décollez vous les voiles par vent de sud ?“
  • „Sûrement mercredi par vent de sud sur Font d'Urle.“
  • „en vent de nord ca part direct du parking? - Paking ou le long de la route vers webcam“
  • „bon niveau requis car faut slalomer entre les cailloux à pas mal d endroit“
  • „Départ du parking Hotel instant T“
  • „au parc a betail en bord de route avant d arriver aux maisons“
  • „Paking ou le long de la route vers webcam“
  • „De la combe devant font d urle“
  • „depuis le parking, près de l’école de snowkite“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/1547862405“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/331182456“
  • „pour info la route de combe laval est fermée suite a un eboullement“
  • „Pas beaucoup de neige pour ceux qui se posent la question , bon niveau requis car faut slalomer entre les cailloux à pas mal d endroit .“
  • „les piquets des parc chevaux au départ du spot en direction porte d urle n ont pas été enlevés a ce jour“

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month
January4.6 knots · 2.4 m/s
February4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
March4.6 knots · 2.4 m/s
April4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
May4.3 knots · 2.2 m/s
June4.0 knots · 2.1 m/s
July4.0 knots · 2.1 m/s
August4.0 knots · 2.1 m/s
September4.0 knots · 2.1 m/s
October4.4 knots · 2.3 m/s
November4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
December4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s

Nearby

More spots within 60 km

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Riders' reports in public kite groups on Facebook (SNOWKITE ,KITE ,en ISERE & d'ailleurs...., Snowkite Drome). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.

A week on the water

Kite safari in the Red Sea

8 days on a yacht from Hurghada to the islands of the northern Red Sea. Next departure 7-14 November 2026, the 2027 dates are coming soon.

See the safari

The safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.