We tow to the local small ridge, it is only 1500ft above airport elevation, so many do not release below ridge height. It is up to the tow pilot to approach the ridge safely and plan the turn to parallel the ridge. Most gliders will release and able to turn right based on our planned tow cours, nose into the wind, the tow will descend straight ahead, maybe slight left and correct back away from the ridge. For the tow to turn strong left over the top of the ridge into the back side rotor is a rough ride.

The key is the tow has to make sure he descends and remain well clear of ridge soaring gliders. Years ago we had a mid air between tow and the glider he just released. The tow flew down the ridge with power back but with the lift had not descended, turned back along the ridge thinking he had descended when he had not. The glider just released was below the cowling out of the field of view. Both landed safely.

We now train that the glider must never lose sight of tow for any release until he is assured with visual confirmation that Tow is below the glider.
BillT

If there are other gliders on the ridge, tow will normally parallel the lift farther out from the track the gliders are using and tow higher, allowing the glider to choose when to release and maneuver into the ridge lift.