Pragelpass
- Mountain
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pragelpass is a high-altitude Swiss Alps snowkiting location on the summit plateau area (around 1,540–1,550 m), offering wide open terrain that suits intermediate riders. The spot is most consistently workable with westerly-sector winds—SW, WSW, and W—when conditions are stable and the wind is strong enough for snowkiting. Typical wind speeds are reported around 10–25 knots, with moderate gusting and generally moderate reliability. Winter access is a major part of the experience: the pass road closes to motorized traffic from late October/early November until spring due to snow. Because of the closure, riders typically need self-sufficient planning for a hike or skinning approach (reported about 2–3 hours) from the accessible sides in winter. Parking is available along the single-carriageway approach in summer/when open, and in Hinterthal at the end of the accessible road. Safety is critical at Pragelpass. Power lines cross the pass area and can be dangerous for kites, especially if routes or rigging pass near the lines. There is also an avalanche risk on the flanking steep slopes, and winter weather can bring heavy snowfall and zero visibility. A practical local step is to check the avalanche bulletin for the Muotathal region before going up. Overall, Pragelpass is a low-profile option—quiet and less trafficked—rewarding riders who want a more authentic alpine and backcountry feel rather than a major, heavily visited pass. With the right wind direction and solid snow stability, it can deliver classic high-altitude sessions across open plateau terrain.
- Workable westerly sector winds for snowkiting (SW/WSW/W)
- Wide open alpine meadows/plateaus around the pass summit
- Low-profile, often less-trafficked winter sessions
- Reliable westerly sector wind options for snowkiting (SW to WSW to W)
- Large open alpine launch areas on/around the summit plateau
- Backcountry-friendly terrain variety across the pass area
- Snow/road-closure limits access and shortens the window when the pass is reachable by car
- Alpine risks including avalanche potential on steep flanks
- Power lines cross the pass area and can be hazardous for kites
- Isolation and limited on-site rescue support
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Westerly flow with frontal influence (regionally described). Spot-level sources indicate best winds from SW to WSW to W.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported for Pragelpass.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Wind shadows can occur behind the Pragelstock and surrounding peaks.
Water & beach
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed composition reported for the area.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Flat — Wave condition field provided, but snowkiting is the main activity.
- Launch
- Big — Wide open alpine meadows and plateaus surrounding the pass summit.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate.
- Shore Break
- None — No shore break (as reported).
Through the year
Low due to strenuous access required in winter.
Winter storms can bring heavy snowfall and zero visibility.
By sport
What to expect for each.
High-altitude alpine pass snowkiting with varied terrain on/around the summit plateau; suited to backcountry/free-style sessions when the pass is open and conditions are stable.
- Snow Conditions
- Powder
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pragelpass in the full forecast view.
Pragelpass wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–14 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- SW231°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- -2–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pragelpass is forecast for daytime winds of 1–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. 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
- Power lines crossing the pass area (potentially dangerous for kites)
- Avalanche risk on the flanking steep slopes
- Extreme alpine weather conditions
- Isolation due to winter road closure
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — REGA helicopter rescue is available (regional rescue context).
- Emergency Info
- Emergency calls: 1414 (Rega) or 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism/access friction noted for this spot.
Rules of the spot
Respect marked local protection areas if present; the road is closed to motorized traffic in winter.
- No motorized access in winter (pass road closed to all vehicles).
- Self-sufficiency required (limited support on-site).
- Check the avalanche bulletin for the Muotathal region before heading up.
- Expect about a 2-3 hour hike or skinning session to reach the launch area because the pass road is closed in winter.
- Plan around hidden road infrastructure during snow cover (power lines, signs, and fences may be obscured).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Schwyz
- Nearest Town
- Hinterthal
- Parking
- Many parking places along the road; parking is also available in Hinterthal at the end of the accessible road.
- Access
- Drive from Schwyz to Hinterthal and continue until reaching Pragelpass. The pass can be accessed via Pragelstrasse/Richisauerstrasse from the Glarus side or Muotathal side; multiple parking places are available along the single-carriageway road.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited options in Muotathal or Hinterthal; mountain huts in the area may be closed in winter.
- Food & Drink
- None available at the pass in winter; bring all supplies.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pragelpass?
The best overall months at Pragelpass are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Pragelpass?
Pragelpass works with SW, WSW, W winds.
What skill level is Pragelpass suitable for?
Pragelpass suits these riding levels: Snowkiting: Intermediate.