School slope sites in the Puy de Dôme
The school slope is an educational practice of paragliding aiming to work on take-off or flight exercises on flat terrain or with a slight slope.
The Auvergne is well known for its large plains and grassy areas, perfect for practising slope training. For all those who are looking for one of these places to come and practise inflation, we have listed the 7 best slope schools in the Puy de Dôme located throughout the department:
It is an obligatory training ground before the first flights to learn how to inflate the glide, how to pilot on the ground and in the air, the first small take-offs ("flea jumps" in the paraglider's jargon), ... It is really the place where you will learn to handle your glider, to feel confident for the first flights, to work on inflation, take-off and piloting exercises in complete safety (even if you must always be careful). In fact, this is the first thing you will do on a course to learn paragliding!
But this is not just a place for beginners who have never flown before. On the contrary, we advise you to continue to do slope training exercises during your progression if you see points to work on, such as the face-to-face inflation, for example, or to come back and do a back-to-face inflation from time to time. At times when you feel less comfortable with the take-off, slope training exercises can help you gain confidence and work on this phase safely so that you are at your best for your next flights.
Laschamps school-slope
All orientations
Next to the school, this flat area is perfect for practising backsailing and frontsailing when there is a little wind.
It is a site with little traffic where you will be able to practice. But be careful, this is one of the Puy de Dôme's landings, so you have to be aware of the paragliders that might arrive.
Saint-Sandoux school-slope
Orientations: NE - E - SE
A small flat area that works very well for backsailing in the morning or at the end of the day as well as for headsailing in the middle of the day when the breeze has picked up.
It is a very busy landing where you have to be careful of pilots who would come and land during your practice.
Puy May school-slope
All orientations
Probably the most beautiful slope-school site in the Puy de Dôme! A green and flowery landscape in spring and summer, in the heart of the Sancy. This site is perfect for practising back and face gliding on the flat ground at the bottom of the slopes, but also for making your first small take-offs and flights to practise and build up your confidence for real flights. It is advisable to go early in the morning or late afternoon / early evening as it can be very thermal and technical during the day.
Access is forbidden by car, so you will have to walk a bit but the effort is worth it!
Marmant school-slope
Orientation : N
Nice grassy slope facing North on the plain. It is a site which works well in the morning with an upward breeze but be careful when it becomes thermal, we often have small gusts across the right and left!
Cote-Jolie school-slope
Orientation: S-SE
Nice grassy sloping pitch that works well in the morning with an upward breeze. You can inflate at the bottom of the field or do some short hops if you go up the field! This is a perfect site for beginners or progressing paragliders looking for a thrill in the air.
Saint-Romain school-slope
All orientations
This flat area is perfect for practising backsailing and frontsailing when there is a little wind.
It is a site with little traffic where you will be quiet to practice. But be careful, this is a landing site so be aware of approaching paragliders.
Mirefleurs school-slope
All orientations
As Saint-Romain site, this flat area is perfect for practising back-sailing and front-sailing when there is a little wind. It is a site with little traffic where you will be able to practice and train in peace.
Now you know the best sites in the Puy de Dôme for your training sessions and inflation exercises!
