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Lake Garda is internationally renowned for its water sports, mainly due to its beneficial wind conditions. The wide lake narrows to the north and is bordered on the west and east by mountains. This, coupled with the temperature changes in the air around the lake and mountains, causes the winds that the Lake is so famous for. The two main winds are called Peler, and Ora. Peler blows from the north. It affects the whole lake, but particularly the central and northern areas. It starts in the early hours of the morning and continues until around noon. It becomes stronger after sun rise as the temperature increases.

The other main wind is Ora, which is the more famous of the two. Ora comes from the south and is slightly weaker than Peler. It works along with Peler, it blows from noon until sunset. It is caused by a marked temperature difference during the day so it is strongest in the summer and quite weak by winter. A difference in strength is noticed depending on the area of the lake. Malcesine can have Ora winds of 2 or 3 on the Beaufort scale, Torbole may experience 4 or 5. Generally, the further north on the lake you go, the stronger Ora becomes. This is so because the Lake is narrower here and a funnel forms between the Baldo and Trentino – Brescia mountains.

There are other winds which are seasonal and dependant on the weather conditions. Balin, for example, is typically a winter wind which is caused by a sharp temperature decrease due to either rain or snow in the Alps. It can measure between 6 and 8 on the Beaufort Scale and have a speed of 20 metres per second. It can arrive very suddenly, weather conditions can change almost in a moment from no breeze to a wind of up to 40 knots. Vinessa is a steady wind which makes it perfect for windsurfers. It can be dangerous because of its strength and the waves it generates as it blows east south east. Ponale is a summer wind. It blows from the valley of Ledro in the West, but it loses its strength by the time it reaches the eastern shore. It is named after the Ponale stream as it follows its course.