Specific local feature: the valley breeze West from Santa Maria Maggiore and East mostly blows in two completely different directions. The confluence occurs normally slightly east from the town. You can use it to cross the valley towards south without loosing altitude, even with gaining it.

HG: - at the gondola station (2 winsocks) PG: 1) Cima 2: 15-20mins walk along the ridge to the west on the highest point. With binoculars, the windsock can be seen from the valley; 2) Pizzo Trubbio: access by foot (1hr) or by gondola (in winter or when arranged). HG/ PG: huge field (with windsocks) towards the west end of the valley (see pictures) PG: near gondola station. ONLY Oct-Mar!!! Be careful, this landing has got a significant slope, and on the field at some places there are approx 1m high wood poles stuck in the soil vertically. It is highly recommended to visit the field before landing there. Beware the wind direction at the landing sometimes shifts rapidly by 180 degrees. Normally the valley breeze is coming from west, but at some specific conditions the valley breeze from Locarno may enter as far as the landing site. Italy: from Domodossola: follow signs 'Locarno'; Switzerland: from Locarno: follow signs 'Cento Valli'. In Sta.Maria: follow sign 'funivia'. Take the cablecar to go up to the takeoff sites. Free parking next to cable car but number of places limited. In summer until July it runs almost every 30min, from July until september - continuously. Ticket 6EUR for PG pilots (as of 2011).

Absolutely NOT with norderly winds ('Nordfoehn'). The thermals in the valley can be so strong as to cause problems when landing (especially for HG! > drag chute...).