Snowkite spot · France

Plateau de Cenise

Name: Plateau de Cenise
Address: FR

Riders have kited it in NW.

Show on the map46.0107, 6.4345

Works in: NW
Watch out: NE
Nearest airport: NCYAnnecy Meythet airport, 27 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 have not described the ground under the snow. Early in the season and after a thaw, expect things to stick out.

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

bestworksdoes not work / gustyno 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

Watch out NE: During Bise (NE wind), the wind does not fill in well here; it is often calm or only 3-9 knots (2–5 m/s) even with a forecast over 20 knots (10 m/s).

Parking

Car park “Parking de Cenise” at the spot.capacity: 20 · OpenStreetMap
Car park about 650 m from the spot.capacity: 10 · OpenStreetMap

Getting there

Approach on foot using snowshoes or touring skis is required.Facebook group Snowkiteurs des Savoie 2026

Conditions

NW wind is ideal for riding up toward nearby Col du Rasoir, depending on avalanche conditions.Facebook group Snowkiteurs des Savoie 2024
During Bise (NE), there is regularly no wind here.Facebook group Snowkiteurs des Savoie 2024

In riders' own words

„vent pour l'instant prévu de NO sur Cenise et le Col du Rasoir tout proche (orientation idéale pour du ride-up selon nivologie)“
„Pas le top en bise ce peut rentrer ou non mais globalement ça rentre pas bien ... J'ai déjà eu 3-9Nds de NE là-bas quand ça en annonçait plus de 20.“
„OpenStreetMap way/1490254518“
„OpenStreetMap way/1490254516“
„marche d’approche en raquette ou ski de rando !“
„Je me suis toujours pris petole par bise“

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.

4.7Jan2.4

4.8Feb2.5

4.9Mar2.5

4.8Apr2.5

4.8May2.5

4.6Jun2.4

4.5Jul2.3

4.3Aug2.2

4.4Sep2.3

4.5Oct2.3

4.3Nov2.2

4.6Dec2.4

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

Values by month

January	4.7 knots · 2.4 m/s
February	4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
March	4.9 knots · 2.5 m/s
April	4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
May	4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
June	4.6 knots · 2.4 m/s
July	4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
August	4.3 knots · 2.2 m/s
September	4.4 knots · 2.3 m/s
October	4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
November	4.3 knots · 2.2 m/s
December	4.6 knots · 2.4 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 (Snowkiteurs des Savoie). 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.