Switzerland
The Silvaplana Lake, in the Grisons region of Switzerland, is a legendary kitesurfing spot in the heart of the Engadine Alps. Surrounded by imposing mountains, it attracts riders from all over the world thanks to its constant thermal wind from Maloja.
It is one of the best sites in Europe, with a lively atmosphere on sunny weekends. Locals and kite schools have been well established for over 20 years, and a member club manages the areas to ensure safety.
The spot is accessible with nearby camping, perfect for pitching a tent and enjoying the view of the lake.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
flatflatThe main wind is the thermal from Maloja, blowing from south to southwest (perfect side-shore for the lake). It increases in strength in the afternoon with the thermal, often stronger than predicted by weather models, especially in sunny weather and low pressure gradient.
The navigation area is defined by an official plan: launching and taking off at the center of the lake, near the main beach of Silvaplana. Strictly avoid the prohibited southwest area and the vicinity of bathers or sailors. The water surface is large and flat, ideal for freeride, freestyle, or downwind.
No tide on this high-altitude lake (1800m), the water remains stable. Be cautious of the altitude which requires more power: kites must be well inflated to move forward. Sessions often last from 2 PM to 6 PM in summer.
The ideal conditions are a south-southwest thermal wind of 15-25 knots, with sunshine and low pressure to maximize the thermal. Perfect for explosive freeride sessions.
The water surface is generally flat to chop depending on the wind strength. With moderate thermal winds, it's perfect for clean jumps; with strong winds, a light chop forms but remains navigable.
No sea currents on this high-altitude lake. The water is calm without tidal influence, but strong winds can create a slight drift towards the northeast.
Due to the altitude of 1800m, plan for generous sizes: 10-12m² for 70-80kg in moderate thermal wind, up to 14m² for light sessions. Small kites (7-9m²) are only useful in strong gusts.
The wind regime relies on the Maloja thermal, coming from the south-southwest, with a typical strength of 15-20 knots in the afternoon, even more with strong south winds. It is very reliable 5 days a week in high season, although forecasts often underestimate the thermal.
The alpine climate is characterized by cool, sunny summers, with daytime temperatures around 15-25°C in July-August. Winters are cold, and the lake often freezes for snowkiting. Prefer June to September for kitesurfing on water.
The depth is gradual with a sandy and grassy bottom. You can stand 20-50m from the shore, ideal for launching and restarting.
The water remains cold: 10-14°C in summer (June-September), requiring a 4/3 or 5/4 wetsuit. Outside of this, the lake freezes.
