Chasseral
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Range
- Moderate
- Launch Difficulty
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Chasseral (near Nods) is a high-altitude Jura ridge known for snowkiting opportunities in winter, with wide plateau-like terrain and a long ridge profile that can support cruising and freestyle runs when conditions are suitable. Wind is dominated by regional winter flow—especially the NE 'Bise' and also SW 'Vent'—with an identified working window in December through March. Typical snowkiting wind strength is reported in the general range of about 12 to 30 knots, and winter conditions are described as generally reliable when the Bise or SW flow is established. Safety is a key consideration at this spot. The telecommunications/radio tower area includes high-voltage cables and guy-wires, and there are also steep cliff drops on the southern side of the ridge. Fog and rapid weather changes are noted at altitude, with additional risk from icy patches when snow cover is thin. Important: snowkiting is prohibited due to wildlife tranquility zone regulations (updated December 2020). Winter access is also constrained by road closures to private vehicles; the commonly described approach is reaching the area via the chairlift from Nods or by hiking/touring up from the valley where the closure begins. If snowkiting access is restricted, riders should use alternative permitted locations and always respect marked wildlife protection zones.
- Winter snowkiting is associated with the NE 'Bise' ridge wind
- Long ridge terrain suited to cruising and freestyle
- High-altitude conditions can shift quickly (fog/weather)
- Strong winter ridge winds with a reliable NE 'Bise' component.
- Expansive mountain-plateau terrain suitable for long rides when conditions and rules allow.
- Clear safety context around tower hazards and access via Nods in winter.
- Snowkiting is prohibited in the wildlife tranquility zone (December 2020 update).
- Serious hazards around the telecommunications/radio tower (high-voltage cables and guy-wires).
- Steep southern cliffs, plus rapid weather changes and frequent fog at altitude.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E, SW
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — NE 'Bise' and SW 'Vent' winds affecting snowkiting conditions (winter ridge wind).
- Reliability
- Good during winter months with Bise or SW flow.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence can occur near the telecommunications tower and the hotel building.
Water & beach
- Beach
- Mixed
- Launch
- Big — Vast open plateau and alpine meadows on the mountain ridge.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bottom Type
- Mixed
- Obstacles
- Telecommunications tower cables, rocky outcrops, and steep cliff drops on the southern face.
Through the year
Can be busy with snowkiters, hikers, and cross-country skiers on sunny weekends.
Heavy winter storms can make the ridge dangerous; late autumn can be very foggy.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Wide mountain plateau / alpine meadows on the mountain ridge suit snowkiting when permitted, with a long ridge for cruising and freestyle.
- Snow Conditions
- Powder
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chasseral in the full forecast view.
Chasseral wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–17 ktsGusts 37 kts
- Direction
- WSW244°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- -2–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chasseral is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 37 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- High voltage cables and guy-wires near the radio tower
- Steep cliffs on the southern side of the ridge
- Rapid weather changes and fog common at high altitude
- Icy patches on the ridge when snow is thin
- Transmission tower cable hazards (keep a safe distance)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — REGA helicopter support and local mountain rescue via emergency dispatch.
- Emergency Info
- REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue) is the primary emergency contact for mountain accidents; national emergency number 144.
Rules of the spot
Snowkiting is prohibited in the wildlife tranquility zone (updated December 2020). Access road is officially closed to private vehicles in winter; respect marked wildlife protection zones.
- Snowkiting prohibited in the wildlife tranquility zone (December 2020 update).
- Road to the summit is officially closed to private vehicles in winter.
- Access is typically via the chairlift from Nods or by hiking/skinning from the parking area where the road closure begins.
- The NE 'Bise' wind provides the most stable and reliable conditions.
- Stay away from the radio tower cables and rigging.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Biel/Bienne
- Nearest Town
- Nods
- Parking
- Parking available at the valley station of the Nods ski lift.
- Public Transport
- Regional rail/bus connections to Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel, or La Chaux-de-Fonds; winter access to the summit area is limited and typically via hiking trails or ski lifts.
- Access
- About 20 km east of La Chaux-de-Fonds. In winter the pass/summit road is officially closed; access is by chairlift from Nods or by hiking/touring from the valley/parking area where closure begins.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French, German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation around the Chasseral area; including Hotel Chasseral at/near the summit with variable winter access/opening times.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant at the Hôtel Chasseral and at the valley station in Nods.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized snowkite rental on the ridge; gear must be brought.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Chasseral area is a natural park on one of the highest points in the Swiss Jura, known for ridge views across the Swiss Plateau and the Alps.
Swissland's largest wind farm between Mont Crosin and Mont Soleil.
360° panoramic viewpoint from Chasseral (1606 m) over the Swiss Jura.
A 120-meter tall telecommunications tower serving as a regional landmark at the summit.
Regional nature park sanctuary for butterflies including red-spotted alpine burnets.
Traditional mountain farmhouse restaurants offering regional Jura specialties like fondue and croute au fromage.
Cave visit and sentier du bonheur in the Bernese Jura.
25 km Chasseral Hiking Trail with multiple lookout points.
Nordic skiing trails at Nordic Center Les Prés d'Orvin in winter.
A premier takeoff site for paragliders with long ridge-soaring possibilities.
30-minute public transport access from Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel, or La Chaux-de-Fonds to the park.
Primary dining facility at the summit with panoramic views.
Hêlél Chasseral near the summit, operational for over 150 years.
Accessible hiking trail along the ridge suitable for families in summer.
Hiking and picnicking on the Chasseral summit.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chasseral?
The best overall months at Chasseral are December, January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Chasseral?
Chasseral works with NE, ENE, E, SW winds.
What skill level is Chasseral suitable for?
Chasseral suits these riding levels: Snowkiting: Intermediate.