Time of day
Morning air is usually the smoothest, which suits nervous first-timers. Midday near mountains can be thermally active and bumpy. Late afternoon calms again and gives the best light for photographs.
Season by season
- • Spring: reliable and pleasant, one of the better windows
- • Summer: fly early or late; midday heat builds strong thermals
- • Autumn: settled air and good visibility
- • Winter: cold at altitude and more weather systems, but often beautifully clear between them
Planning around cancellations
Wind direction can be wrong for a specific launch even on a sunny day. Keep flexibility in your itinerary and book early in your stay.