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.
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...).
Webcam Piana di Vigezzo: https://www.bergfex.it/craveggia-piana-vigezzo/webcams/c6087/
access
Italy: from Domodossola: follow signs 'Locarno';
Switzerland: from Locarno: follow signs 'Cento Valli'.
In Sta.Maria: follow sign 'funivia'..
Info cablecar: http://www.pianadivigezzo.it/impianti.php 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).
