Tobelhof
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tobelhof is a low-profile local snowkiting spot near Zurich, set behind residences and fields in the Tobelhof area at Tobelhofstrasse 227. Activity is reported to be possible mainly in mid-winter, with the most suitable months being January through March. The snowkiting terrain is described as flat/open and suitable for sessions when the ground is fully covered. However, the spot is small and depends strongly on snow quality and depth; kiting is only permitted when there is sufficient snow cover (reported requirement: at least 20–30 cm) to protect the underlying grass, and it may only work during rare winters with heavy low-altitude snowfall. Wind performance is highly conditional: sources describe a best window in January–March, with typical winds in winter reported around roughly 10–25 knots. Wind direction is reported as west/south-west and occasionally north-east (Bise influence), but wind reliability is considered low overall. Trees and nearby forest/buildings can create wind shadows and turbulence, which makes site assessment important before launching. Safety is a key concern at Tobelhof. Hazards reported for the launch and landing area include trees and high-voltage power lines, along with fences and hazards associated with proximity to roads. The primary on-site guidance is to check clearance carefully, keep well away from power lines, respect agricultural land, and verify snow depth before committing to a session.
- Best snowkiting window: January through March
- Close to Zurich—handy for short sessions when the weather aligns
- Wind can be turbulent due to trees and nearby structures—assess the launch carefully
- Very close to Zurich for a snowkiting session when conditions align
- Small, local spot with best activity in January to March
- Only reliable in rare, well-snowed winters (needs heavy snowfall at low altitude and adequate snow depth)
- Significant launch/landing hazards from trees and high-voltage power lines
- Wind can be turbulent and shadowed by trees/buildings; wind reliability is reported low
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Relies on winter wind patterns (fronts) and local setup; detailed wind mechanism not fully specified at spot level.
- Reliability
- Low
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Forest areas to the south and buildings can create turbulence and shadows; trees create wind shadows and turbulence near launch/landing.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed terrain described around launch fields and grass areas.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — No surf activity; snowkiting terrain described as flat.
- Launch
- Small — Behind residential house / in sloping grass fields behind the local restaurant; small area with tree obstacles and sometimes restricted by fences.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to trees/clearance and line-of-approach constraints.
Through the year
Usually quiet; locals frequent it on rare days with sufficient snow.
Winter months provide the necessary frontal systems for wind.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, open terrain suitable when snow covers the ground; trees are the primary hazard near launch/landing. The area is a small, local hill/plateau setup on the outskirts of Zurich and only works during rare winters with heavy low-altitude snowfall. Riders need sufficient snow depth (reported requirement: 20–30 cm) because the kiting area is over grass.
- Snow Conditions
- Packed
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tobelhof in the full forecast view.
Tobelhof wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–15 ktsGusts 35 kts
- Direction
- WSW250°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 3–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tobelhof is forecast for daytime winds of 1–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 35 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
- Trees near launch/landing area
- High-voltage power lines
- Fences
- Proximity to roads
- Wooden fences
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources indicate no dedicated rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- General emergency: 112; Ambulance: 144; Police: 117. University Hospital Zurich is the primary regional trauma center.
Rules of the spot
Kiting is only permitted when there is sufficient snow cover (at least 20–30 cm) to protect the underlying grass. Riders must respect agricultural land; keep a safe distance from power lines; avoid fields with livestock or visible crops.
- Keep a safe distance from power lines
- Avoid fields with livestock or visible crops
- Respect agricultural land
- Launch only with sufficient snow cover (at least 20–30 cm)
- Check tree clearance before launching
- Check the snow depth before going (spot is only at 610 m altitude, and needs heavy snowfall to be rideable)
- Keep a safe distance from power lines
- The spot is small and can get crowded quickly if snow conditions are good
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Zurich
- Nearest Town
- Zurich
- Nearest Airport
- Zurich Airport (ZRH)
- Parking
- Limited parking at the restaurant; public transport via Bus 751 is recommended.
- Public Transport
- Excellent connectivity via the ZVV network (trams, buses, and suburban trains).
- Access
- Behind the house at Tobelhofstrasse 227 (also described as behind the Wirtschaft Tobelhof restaurant).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels in Zurich city center.
- Food & Drink
- Wirtschaft Tobelhof restaurant is located immediately adjacent to the fields.
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 Tobelhof?
The best overall months at Tobelhof are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Tobelhof?
Tobelhof works with W, SW, NE winds.
What skill level is Tobelhof suitable for?
Tobelhof suits these riding levels: Snowkiting: Beginner to Intermediate.