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

From Jakobshorn, you take off above Davos and glide down 1,000 meters toward town. There is no engine noise and no free fall, just a short run, a smooth lift into the air, and a front-row seat over the Swiss Alps. The quiet is the surprise.

I like the private format, since your pilot can adjust the flight to your comfort level. I also like the practical setup: cable-car access, a short mountain hike, borrowed extra clothing if needed, and a landing close to where you started. The main consideration is weather. Wind and cloud decide the airtime, and the flight may be postponed or canceled.

Key points to know before you fly

• Jakobshorn launch: Ride the cable car from Davos Platz, then walk uphill for about 10 to 20 minutes.
• 1,000-meter descent: You fly from the mountain to Davos with roughly 15 to 35 minutes in the air.
• Private pilot: Only your group participates, with pilots including Robert, Peter, and Beat.
• Choose your pace: Ask for a calm glide, or try steering and freestyle moves if conditions allow.
• Moderate fitness needed: You must manage a short mountain hike and take a few running steps at takeoff and landing.
• Weather controls the schedule: You can change dates or receive a full refund if poor conditions cancel the flight.

Why this Davos flight is different

Paragliding can sound like a dare until you understand how the flight works. You do not leap from a cliff or drop through empty air. You run a few steps with your pilot, the wing catches the air, and you rise into a seated harness above Davos.

The height difference is about 1,000 meters, but the flight is not simply a fast trip downhill. Depending on the wind, you remain airborne for 15 to 35 minutes. That gives you time to take in the peaks, valleys, and town below without the vibration or roar of a motor.

I especially like the way this experience mixes a mountain outing with an aerial one. The cable car gets you most of the way up Jakobshorn, and the final 10 to 20 minute walk gives you a little time to adjust to the high setting. You are not spending the whole day on a difficult climb, but you do need to be comfortable walking on a mountainside.

This is also a private activity. You fly with your own pilot rather than joining a large group in the air. The pilots named by the company include Robert, Peter, and Beat. Robert is also the person who has contacted some families in advance to discuss scheduling, group size, and passenger weights. That sort of planning matters in a sport where equipment and weather affect the day.

Meeting at Davos Platz and riding to Jakobshorn

Your outing begins at the Joyride Paragliding office on Brämabüelstrasse 9, near the cable-car station in Davos Platz. The meeting point is useful because you do not have to arrange a separate transfer to the mountain. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach this starting point yourself.

At the office, you meet your pilot and go over the practical details. The cable car then carries you toward the Jakobshorn launch area. This part is not filler. It gives your pilot a chance to check conditions and talk through what will happen once you reach the top.

The cable-car ride also lets you enjoy the first change in scale. Davos becomes smaller below, while the surrounding Alpine peaks come into view. You can treat the ride as part of the sightseeing, though the flight itself remains the main event.

The final walk takes around 10 to 20 minutes. The exact effort depends on the route and conditions, but the company asks for moderate physical fitness. You should be able to walk uphill for a short period and move confidently over mountain ground.

Preparing the glider above Davos

At the launch area, your pilot sets up the glider. You receive a clear explanation of the takeoff, including how to move when the signal comes. The essential instruction is simple: follow your pilot, take a few steps, and keep moving until the wing lifts you.

This is where nerves often peak. The launch is the only part that feels like an active decision, but it is brief. You are not expected to have prior flying skills, and no extreme fitness is required. You simply need to listen, stay calm, and follow the pilot’s instructions.

The company provides additional clothing if necessary. In winter, that means ski-style clothing, while summer passengers can get hiking-style layers. This is useful because the mountain air can feel cooler than conditions in town, and you may appreciate another layer once you are airborne.

You should still dress sensibly for the season. The supplied information does not promise a full wardrobe for every situation, so arrive prepared for mountain weather and the short walk to the launch point.

The takeoff and the first quiet minutes

When everything is ready, you and your pilot take a few running steps. The glider lifts, your feet leave the ground, and you settle into the harness in front of the pilot.

The flight setup is one of the strongest parts of this experience. You sit comfortably in front while the pilot controls the wing behind you. There is no engine noise and no sensation of free falling. Instead, you glide through the air, with the sound of the wind replacing the noise you would hear from a powered aircraft.

That quiet changes how you see Davos. You have time to look down at the town and across the peaks without fighting a window, propeller, or cabin wall. The views are the reason to choose this activity, but the silence is what makes the views feel more immediate.

The airtime is listed as 15 to 35 minutes. Wind conditions decide where you fall within that range. It is important not to treat 35 minutes as a guaranteed flight length. A 15-minute flight can still be a complete experience, while good conditions may keep you aloft considerably longer.

A calm glide or a little freestyle

You can tell your pilot what sort of flight you want. A gradual descent suits anyone who mainly wants Alpine views and a gentle introduction to paragliding. If you want more action, the pilot may let you steer the glider or perform freestyle maneuvers such as spins.

I would make this choice before takeoff, then stay open to the pilot’s judgment. The pilot must work with the wind and the wing, so not every maneuver will be possible on every day. Conditions, safety, and your comfort come first.

The private format helps here. You are not trying to match the mood of a busload of other people. If one person in your group wants a relaxed flight and another wants more movement, you can discuss those preferences directly with the pilot.

Families have used the experience together, but children under 12 are accepted only on request. If you are booking for younger children, contact Joyride Paragliding before committing to a date. The supplied details do not give a standard minimum or maximum weight, though advance contact about family size and weight has been part of the planning process.

Landing near the original meeting point

The flight ends near the starting area in Davos. You make a few running steps again as the glider comes down, then return to the meeting point. That arrangement keeps the outing tidy. You do not need to organize a ride from a remote landing field.

The landing is not a dramatic jump onto solid ground. As with takeoff, your pilot gives instructions and helps you move at the right moment. You should be ready for a short run, which is one reason the moderate fitness requirement matters.

The entire appointment takes about two hours. That includes meeting the pilot, riding the cable car, walking to the launch area, preparing the glider, flying, and landing. Your time in the air is only part of the appointment, but the rest of the schedule helps you understand how a tandem flight is prepared.

What the $252.95 price buys you

At $252.95 per person, this is not a casual add-on to a day in Davos. It is a specialist activity with a personal pilot, mountain transport to the launch area, equipment, and a private flight. If you already plan to ride Jakobshorn for the views, the price may feel easier to justify because the cable-car journey and mountain access are built into the outing.

The real value depends on what you want from Davos. If you prefer to stay on the ground, the price is high for a two-hour activity. If you want a memorable Alpine experience without taking a flying course or committing to a full-day adventure, the cost is more reasonable.

The private setup adds value. You are paying for a flight shaped around your group rather than a basic ride shared with strangers. The pilots also provide extra clothing when needed, which removes one practical worry, particularly in winter.

Souvenir photos cost extra. That is worth noting before you arrive. If you want a record of the flight, ask about photo availability and pricing on the day. Hotel transport is also not included, so factor in your route to Davos Platz.

The people who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a first paragliding experience with a straightforward structure. You do not need technical skills, and your pilot manages the glider. The main requirements are moderate fitness, a willingness to take a few running steps, and comfort with being exposed high above the ground.

It works well for couples, families with older children, and small private groups. The private format is useful for a special occasion because you can share the flight within your own group and speak directly with the pilot about the level of action you want.

It may be less suitable if you need a fixed schedule. The experience requires good weather, and the airtime changes with the wind. You should avoid placing this at the very end of a tightly timed day, especially if a rescheduled flight would affect onward plans.

It is also not the best choice for someone who cannot manage the short uphill walk or the running steps at takeoff and landing. The company does not describe the activity as requiring extreme fitness, but it is still an active mountain outing rather than a passive viewpoint visit.

Booking timing, clothing, and weather

This experience is commonly booked about 30 days ahead. That is a useful guide if your dates in Davos are fixed, especially during busy holiday periods. You receive confirmation when you book, and the mobile ticket makes the arrangement easy to keep on your phone.

Weather is the key variable. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. For that reason, I would book early but keep some flexibility in your Davos plans.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Swiss time.

Wear clothing suited to the season and the mountain walk. In winter, think ski clothing. In summer, hiking-style clothing is more appropriate. Joyride Paragliding can supply additional clothing if needed, but your own comfortable footwear and sensible layers remain important.

The activity is offered in English. Other language support is not stated, so English is the safe expectation when you book.

What the pilot adds to the day

The pilot is more than the person steering the wing. During the cable-car ride and preparation, the pilot helps you understand the route, the takeoff, and the landing. Once airborne, the pilot controls the flight and can adapt the experience to your comfort level and the wind.

Robert, Peter, and Beat are names associated with the flying team. Feedback about the experience repeatedly points to friendly, reassuring handling and careful organization. One family described Robert contacting them ahead of time to work through schedule changes connected to family size and weight, which shows why early communication can be helpful.

That personal contact is especially valuable if you are nervous. You can ask about a calm glide, discuss optional steering, and get a clear explanation before you leave the ground. The pilots also have a sense of humor, which helps during the tense few minutes before takeoff.

My call: book it if the sky is your priority

Book this Davos tandem flight if you want quiet Alpine views from the air, a private pilot, and a manageable two-hour plan that begins and ends near Davos Platz. It gives you a real mountain experience without requiring prior skills or a full day of training.

Skip it if your schedule cannot handle a weather change, if you dislike running at takeoff and landing, or if the price is beyond what you want to spend on one activity. For everyone else, the combination of Jakobshorn, a 1,000-meter descent, and up to 35 minutes of silent flight makes this one of Davos’s most memorable ways to see the Alps.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

It begins at Joyride Paragliding, Brämabüelstrasse 9, 7270 Davos, Switzerland, near the cable-car station in Davos Platz.

Where does the flight take off?

You ride the cable car from Davos Platz to Jakobshorn, then walk for about 10 to 20 minutes to the launch area.

How long is the full activity?

The appointment lasts about two hours, including the meeting, cable-car ride, walk, preparation, flight, and landing.

How long will I be in the air?

Airtime is about 15 to 35 minutes, depending on wind conditions.

How high is the flight?

The height difference between the Jakobshorn launch point and Davos is about 1,000 meters.

Do I need paragliding experience?

No. You fly with a personal tandem pilot and do not need special skills or extreme fitness.

Can children take part?

Children under 12 can participate only on request. Contact the provider before booking for a child in that age group.

Are photos included?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity may be canceled because of poor weather. You can then choose a different date or receive a full refund.