Davos Absolutely Free Flying Paragliding Tandem Flight 1’000 Meters High

Two hours above Davos is hard to top. I love the 1,000 meter height change and the smooth engine-free glide, usually giving 15 to 35 minutes in the air. Just be ready for a short 10 to 20 minute hike before takeoff.

In this Davos setup, coordination is handled by Robert, and the flying is led by pilots such as head pilot Peter, with Beat also part of the team. I also like how the operation stays practical and flexible, even working around real group needs like family size and weight. You’ll get clear instruction from the first meet-up at the cable cars area in Davos Platz.

You do not need special skills, and you do not need extreme fitness, just a moderate level to handle mountain steps. The whole experience is reserved for about 2 hours, with airtime that depends on wind. This is a private tandem, so it is only your group.

Key Reasons This Tandem Flight Gets Near-Perfect Scores

• Jakobshorn cable car start puts you in the right place for fast, scenic takeoff
• 1,000 meter height difference means the views keep changing instead of staying static
• Pilot in complete control makes it feel safe and smooth, not chaotic
• Flexible ride style includes the option for steering or freestyle moves if you want
• Airtime based on wind (15 to 35 minutes) helps set expectations
• Land back near the meet-up keeps the experience tidy and simple

Jakobshorn Cable Car to Launch Point: Why the Start Matters

The experience begins at Joyride Paragliding, at Brämabüelstrasse 9 in Davos, and the meet-up is by the cable cars area in Davos Platz. From there, you ride the cable car up with your pilot to reach the Jakobshorn launch zone.

This matters more than it sounds. Cable cars do the heavy lifting, so the only physical part is the final hike. Expect about a 10 to 20 minute walk to the takeoff point. If you are fine on mountain paths, you are in good shape. If not, this is the one part I’d think about before booking.

And because you start high and close to the launch, the whole day feels efficient. You spend your energy on the fun part, not on transportation logistics.

1,000 Meters of Air Time: The Reality of the Flight

Your tandem flight is built around a big vertical drop, roughly a 1,000 meter height difference, from the top area of Jakobshorn down to Davos. The flight time in the air is typically 15 to 35 minutes, depending on wind conditions.

What you’ll feel is not a jump into chaos. The setup is calm and methodical:

• your pilot sets up the glider and explains takeoff
• you do a short run
• then you lift off

Once you are flying, you sit comfortably in front of your pilot. There is no engine noise and you do not experience free falling. Instead, it is a smooth glide, with that great sense of floating where your brain keeps trying to figure out how you are moving so quietly.

If you want more than a relaxed ride, your pilot can show you how to steer the glider. You can also do thrilling spins or freestyle-style maneuvers, depending on conditions and comfort level. If you prefer a gentler pace, you can stay focused on the view and let the pilot handle the work.

From Meet-Up to Takeoff: How Your 2 Hours Actually Work

Even though your airtime is usually 15 to 35 minutes, you reserve about 2 hours for the full experience. That reserved time covers everything that makes a tandem flight run smoothly.

Here is the flow you can expect:

1. Meet your pilot at the booking office at the cable cars station in Davos Platz.
2. Take the cable car with your pilot to the launch area.
3. Hike about 10 to 20 minutes to the takeoff spot.
4. Your pilot sets up the glider and talks you through takeoff.
5. Takeoff happens on the final steps, and you are airborne right away.
6. You fly together, with options to steer or add fun maneuvers if you want.
7. Landing is close to where you started, with only a few steps to finish.

I like this timing approach because it protects you from the common travel disappointment of feeling rushed. You are not just dropped off and told to wait around. The schedule accounts for the setup and the movement to and from the launch.

Also, it’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That tends to make it feel more personal and less like you are watching someone else’s ride through your window.

Landing Back in Davos: The Part Most People Underestimate

A good tandem flight ends with a smooth landing, not a complicated scramble. Here, the ending is designed to be straightforward. You land close to the meeting point with a few steps running to finish.

That detail matters in the Alps, where you can sometimes expect uneven terrain. Here, the format is built so you are not stuck with a long walk back down. Instead, you wrap up right where you started, which keeps the experience feeling complete rather than tiring at the end.

If you are bringing kids, or if you just want to keep your day flexible, this return-to-start style is a real advantage.

Getting Ready: Clothing Help and Fitness Expectations

You do not need special skills, and you do not need to be an athlete. The requirement is moderate physical fitness. The reason is simple: the short hike to the takeoff point.

The team can also provide additional clothing if necessary. In winter, think skiing-like warmth. In summer, think hiking-like practicality. I like that this is acknowledged up front. Alpine weather changes fast, and being correctly dressed affects how much you enjoy the flight and how relaxed you feel during takeoff and landing.

Practical tip: if you can handle a 10 to 20 minute hike on uneven ground, you are likely fine. If not, you might want to think twice, because that part is not optional.

Your Pilot Team: Robert, Peter, and Beat Behind the Scenes

One reason this flight consistently scores high is the human factor. In the feedback, Robert shows up as the calm coordinator who contacts people ahead of time and helps adjust schedules for real-world needs like family size and weight. That kind of care reduces stress, especially when you are planning around weather and daylight.

In the air, pilots such as head pilot Peter come through in feedback as a pleasure to work with. The style that gets mentioned is friendly, encouraging, and fun, with clear guidance that helps you feel comfortable from the first briefing.

Beat is also named as part of the flying team in examples of tandem flights. Across those notes, the vibe is consistent: you get instruction that makes you feel like you belong up there, not like you are just strapped in and hoping for the best.

Price in Context: Is $252.95 Worth It

At $252.95 per person, this is not a cheap thrill. But for a private tandem paragliding flight in Switzerland, it is also not out of line for what you are buying.

Here is what you are paying for in concrete terms:

• a personal tandem pilot
• a 1,000 meter height change route from Jakobshorn to Davos
• a smooth 15 to 35 minutes in the air, with options to steer or add maneuver time
• additional clothing if needed (season dependent)
• private operation for only your group

What is not included matters for value. Souvenir photos are available to purchase, but they are not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you’ll plan your own way to the meet-up at the Davos Platz cable car area.

Another practical factor: the experience is typically booked about 30 days in advance. That suggests real demand, which is usually a sign people find it reliably good. It also means you should avoid waiting until the last minute if your dates are firm.

Weather and Wind: The Real Boss of the Alps

This experience requires good weather. Since airtime depends on wind conditions, it is normal for timing and flight comfort to vary slightly day to day.

If the weather is too poor to fly, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. I appreciate this approach. It removes the feeling that you are paying for a gamble. In a place like Davos, wind and visibility drive everything, so planning around that reality is smart.

Here’s how to set your expectations: your airtime is 15 to 35 minutes, not a fixed number. If the wind is favorable, you get more air time. If not, you might get less. Either way, you are still getting the core experience, the tandem glide from the Jakobshorn area down into Davos.

Who Should Book This Tandem Flight, and Who Should Think Twice

This is a great match if you:

• want a first-time-friendly tandem flight with pilot control
• like the idea of cable car access to a high launch point
• want big views over Davos and the Swiss Alps
• are excited by the option to steer or add spins, without needing skills

It’s also a reasonable fit for families if kids are old enough and approved. Children under 12 can go only on request.

Think twice if:

• you strongly dislike walking uphill, because the 10 to 20 minute hike to takeoff is part of the plan
• you are hoping for a fixed airtime length, because wind decides 15 to 35 minutes
• you want door-to-door convenience, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included

Should You Book Davos Absolutely Free Flying Paragliding?

I’d book this if you want a high-value Swiss Alps experience that is simple to run, private for your group, and designed around a smooth tandem flight rather than a complicated skill challenge.

Book it sooner rather than later, since it is commonly reserved about 30 days ahead. And if you are traveling with family, mention your needs early, because the team has shown they can coordinate schedules with real weight and group considerations in mind.

If weather looks iffy on your dates, do not panic. Good-weather requirements are part of the deal here, and you should be offered a different date or a full refund if you cannot fly.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Davos tandem paragliding flight?

You meet at Joyride Paragliding at Brämabüelstrasse 9, 7270 Davos, Switzerland. The pilot meets you at the booking office at the cable cars station in Davos Platz.

How long is the experience?

The full experience reserves about 2 hours. Your time in the air is typically 15 to 35 minutes, depending on wind conditions.

Do I need prior paragliding experience or special skills?

No. You fly tandem with your instructor/pilot and you do not need special skills. The pilot sets up the glider and explains the takeoff.

Is there hiking involved?

Yes. After the cable car ride, you hike for about 10 to 20 minutes to reach the takeoff site.

What fitness level do I need?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. Extreme fitness is not required, but you should be comfortable with the short mountain hike and steps.

Are children allowed?

Children under 12 can participate only on request.

What is included, and what should I budget extra for?

Included is your personal paragliding tandem pilot and additional clothes if necessary (skiing-like in winter, hiking-like in summer). Souvenir photos are available to purchase, but they are not included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you will need to get to the meet-up point yourself.

What happens if weather is too poor to fly?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.