Kiteboarding in Switzerland - The specificities of wind in French-speaking Switzerland.
by Contat Fred - Posted on 6/5/21 || Modifié le 2/19/24
Navigating in kitesurf on the Swiss lakes is among the most beautiful experiences you can have in your kiteboarding life. The landscapes, the atmosphere, the mountains, and the fellow kiters are all arguments that will make your sessions on the lakes memorable moments.
Kitesurfing is probably one of the most beautiful sports in the world, and we can only wish for you to fall in love with it. But, as in any loving relationship, compromises will be necessary. In fact, it is important to understand that if you plan to kite next Sunday between 2pm and 4pm because you have a free slot at that time, there is a good chance that it won't work. Kiters in the region navigate several times a week, but their schedule is completely flexible and adaptable to the whims of Aeolus. So, self-employed professionals and night workers will generally have an advantage.
The wind on the Swiss lakes, a rarity?
Not so sure! A fisherman saying claims that there are always 4 Beaufort winds on Lake Geneva at some point in the day. While this may not be 100% true, there are indeed numerous local effects that make the wind blow here, but not 10 km further. However, overall, it is true that French-speaking Switzerland is not particularly known for its midday thermals.
There are two types of winds for kiting on the Swiss lakes: weather winds (resulting from atmospheric pressure changes) and thermal winds (which mainly work due to the temperature difference between the air and the water, although I am simplifying).
In French-speaking Switzerland, the wind is mostly of the weather type. There are two main winds and probably more than fifty local winds, albeit less common. There are some specific spots on certain lakes where at certain times, weather winds can be reinforced by thermal winds. But this is a very local phenomenon. (These winds are indicated in our spot guide). If you are looking for lakes with renowned thermals, the closest ones are Lake Monteynard in France above Grenoble and Lake Lucerne in its southern tip, Urnersee. We can also count on Lake Rosel in Martigny, which has one of the most prolific thermals in Europe, but it is a windsurfing/wing spot only.
The Bise and the Wind
The two main winds are the Bise, which blows from the northeast (north when it is black), and the southwest wind (west when it is white).
The Bise is a relatively stable wind, usually announced a few days in advance and can range in strength from 10 knots to over 40 knots. However, during a day, it varies very little, except for local phenomena or the end of its regime. To ride in the Bise, it is best to go to the opposite side of where it enters the lake, so rather in the Geneva region for Lake Geneva (Vevey can also work) and in the Yverdon region (watch out for restrictions) for Lake Neuchâtel. It also works well on Lake Joux, Lake Morat, and Lake Bienne (rather NNE in this case).
The southwest wind is a wind that often brings bad weather, often coming with rain and squalls. It can also vary from a light 10 knots to over 50 knots (rare). It is a wind that is often more technical because its intensity can vary as squalls approach. If you are kiting in a southwest wind, you should always keep an eye on the wind to see what is coming. And if it becomes all black and you are already overpowered, it's probably time to go back or release the kite 😉. As with the Bise, we tend to kite on the opposite side of where the wind enters the lake. So in the Morges region for Lake Geneva and in the Portalaban or St-Blaise region for Lake Neuchâtel. Lake Joux is often more complicated in a southwest wind, but sometimes the wind can be super consistent too (consult the anemometers!).
The Joran wind, as its name suggests, descends from the Jura Mountains to settle over the lake. It can be as gentle as a lamb or very, very stormy. I have seen a Joran gust of over 10 Beaufort that developed in less than 5 minutes. On the other hand, it can also be a gentle end-of-day thermal wind?
The Vaudaire is the wind that blows from the Valais region onto the upper part of Lake Geneva. Depending on its strength, it can reach as far down as St-Prex. It builds up suddenly and lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours, rarely longer. Depending on the storms in the lower Valais... And it can be very, very violent.
Source: Banque Mirabaud
How to predict the wind?
If I knew... Another answer could be: "Nothing beats experience".
In practice, the spot forecasts on Let's Kite are usually quite good in most cases. Our forecasts are based on a multitude of weather models to provide you with very short-term, medium-term, and long-term forecasts. Of course, for Switzerland, MeteoSwiss remains a reference, but with Let's Kite, we are often even better 😉.
How to know where it is blowing right now?
The answer is simple, check the live wind map on the homepage. All the weather stations are accessible with readings every 10 minutes. But in any case, once you arrive at the spot, rely on what you see and not on the forecasts or readings!