🇨🇭 Sihlsee
Switzerland · Europe · All Switzerland spots →
Best directionNNW
Wind speed6–15kt
SeasonApr – Oct
Skill levelIntermediate to advanced
WaterFlat lake
A reservoir in the hills above Einsiedeln with a dependable but marginal afternoon thermal — light-wind kites (15-20m+) or hydrofoils only. Not a spot to learn on: the wind is usually too light and short-lived for normal gear, and a kite that drops in the water here typically means swimming it back rather than a quick relaunch.
View live 5-day wind forecast →Typical wind by month(5-yr average)
| Month | Avg wind | Days ≥10kt |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.3kt | 2.3 |
| Feb | 3.1kt | 0.7 |
| Mar | 3.6kt | 3 |
| Apr | 4.0kt | 1 |
| May | 3.9kt | 0.7 |
| Jun | 3.7kt | 0.7 |
| Jul | 3.6kt | 1 |
| Aug | 3.4kt | 0 |
| Sep | 3.1kt | 1 |
| Oct | 3.1kt | 6 |
| Nov | 3.0kt | 1 |
| Dec | 2.8kt | 0 |
Best months: Apr, May, Jun — based on 5 years of recorded wind data.
Good to know
Getting thereThe launch is a field the local kite club rents between Willerzell and Euthal, just before the northernmost bridge — there's a bus stop right at the spot. Don't park at the house/barn directly opposite the launch; use the marked parking either at the bridge or on the lake side between the bridge and the launch. Day access is around CHF 10, or about CHF 60 for a season membership if you'll be back often.
HazardsWind here is thermal and genuinely marginal — bring light-wind kites (15-20m+) or a foil, not standard gear. Check a wind forecast for the Euthal area before heading out: you generally need ~10kt forecast there just to launch light-wind gear at the spot itself, since the launch itself typically runs a good 2-3kt lighter than that reading. If your kite drops in the water, expect to swim it back — the wind is rarely strong enough for a water relaunch. Stay 150m clear of shore, bridges, and fishing boats.
Best time of dayEarly afternoon in spring and autumn, when the thermal is most reliable — it can build fast and fade just as quickly, sometimes gone within 90 minutes, so don't arrive late. Autumn sometimes sees stronger wind than spring, despite the colder water.