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

From the top of Jakobshorn, you take a few running steps and suddenly the ground drops away. The flight carries you 1,000 vertical meters above Davos, with 15 to 35 minutes of quiet Alpine air before you land near the center of town. I like the cable-car approach and the fact that you sit comfortably in front of your pilot, with no engine noise or free fall.

I also like the flexible mood. You can keep the ride smooth and scenic, or ask about steering, spins, and freestyle moves. The main consideration is the weather: airtime varies with wind, and the launch requires a 10 to 20 minute uphill walk, followed by a few running steps at takeoff and landing.

Key points at a glance

• Jakobshorn launch: Ride the cable car from Davos Platz, then walk 10 to 20 minutes to the takeoff point.
• 1,000-meter descent: The flight drops from the mountain to Davos, usually with 15 to 35 minutes in the air.
• Quiet, engine-free flight: You sit in front of your private pilot and glide rather than free fall.
• Choice of flying style: Ask for a calm descent, help steering, spins, or freestyle maneuvers.
• Experienced local team: Robert, Peter, and Beat are named pilots connected with the experience.
• Weather-sensitive timing: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What the Davos flight actually feels like

This is not a stunt ride and not a powered aircraft trip. A tandem paraglider uses the mountain slope and air currents to get airborne, then carries you down toward Davos in a broad, quiet glide. Your pilot sits behind you, controls the wing, and manages the flight.

That makes the experience accessible to people without paragliding skills. You do not need special training or extreme fitness, but you should be comfortable walking uphill for 10 to 20 minutes and taking a few running steps when the pilot tells you to.

The height difference is about 1,000 meters, which gives the flight a strong sense of scale. You begin high above town and finish close to the meeting point in Davos. The actual airtime is not fixed because wind conditions control how long the paraglider can remain aloft. Plan for 15 to 35 minutes in the air, within an overall appointment of about two hours.

Meeting at Joyride Paragliding in Davos Platz

Your outing begins at the Joyride Paragliding office on Brämabüelstrasse 9 in Davos, near the cable-car station in Davos Platz. This is both the starting point and the place where the activity finishes.

You meet your private tandem pilot here, rather than joining a large sightseeing group. That private format matters. You can ask questions, discuss how adventurous you want the flight to feel, and receive instructions suited to your own comfort level.

The named pilots connected with the experience include Robert and Peter, with Beat also mentioned as part of the flying team. Their approach, based on the available feedback, includes advance contact when schedules need adjusting. Robert has also helped coordinate timing around family size and passenger weight, a useful sign for groups booking together.

The two-hour window is an estimate, not a promise that every minute will be spent in the air. It includes meeting the pilot, taking the cable car, walking to launch, preparing the wing, giving instructions, flying, and landing. Keep some flexibility in your day rather than scheduling a tight meal or train connection immediately afterward.

Riding Jakobshorn before takeoff

From Davos Platz, you ride the cable car toward Jakobshorn with your pilot. The ascent gives you an early look at the mountain setting, but it is also part of the practical route to the launch site, not a separate sightseeing stop with a long visit.

The final approach involves a 10 to 20 minute hike. The distance is not described in detail, so the key point is the terrain rather than the number of steps. Wear sensible shoes and expect a short walk on a mountainside. In summer, hiking-style clothing is suitable. In winter, the operator can provide extra clothing similar to ski wear if necessary.

This walk is the one part that can surprise people who imagine a flight that begins directly beside the cable-car platform. You do not need extreme fitness, but a moderate level is expected. If you have concerns about walking on an incline, raise them when booking.

Preparing the wing at the launch site

At the launch area, your pilot sets up the paraglider and explains the takeoff. You will be given instructions on how to stand and when to run. The process is designed for a first-time passenger, so you are not expected to understand the equipment or control the wing yourself.

The launch itself is quick. At the signal, you take a few steps, and the wing lifts you into the air. The reviews supplied for this experience repeatedly emphasize that the activity feels easy once the preparation is complete, but the small uphill walk and running start remain real physical parts of the outing.

It is worth listening closely here, even if you feel nervous. The pilot’s timing matters more than speed. Do not try to improvise your own takeoff. Follow the instructions, keep moving when told, and let the wing do its work.

15 to 35 minutes above Davos

Once airborne, you sit comfortably in front of your pilot. The flight is described as smooth, with no motor noise and no free-fall sensation. That is the central appeal of tandem paragliding: you get the height and open views without the loud cabin or rapid drop associated with some other aerial activities.

Your view changes as you glide from Jakobshorn toward Davos. You look across peaks and valleys, then gradually descend toward town. The exact route and duration depend on the wind, so each flight will not follow an identical pattern.

If you want a peaceful ride, tell the pilot. A gradual descent lets you concentrate on the views and the unusual feeling of moving through open air. If you want more action, the pilot may show you how to steer or offer spins and freestyle maneuvers.

That option is useful for mixed groups. One person can enjoy a gentle scenic flight, while another may prefer a few sharper movements. Still, do not assume every maneuver will be available on every date. Wind conditions determine what is safe and practical.

Landing close to the starting point

The flight ends in or near the heart of Davos, close to the meeting point. You will again take a few running steps during landing. This is normal for the activity, and your pilot will guide you through it.

The convenient finish makes the logistics easier. You do not need to arrange a separate mountain pickup or find your way back from a remote landing field. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, however, so you must make your own way to Davos Platz at the beginning and after the flight.

Souvenir photos are also not included. They may be available to purchase, but you should treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the $252.95 price.

Is $252.95 a fair price?

At $252.95 per person, this is a major holiday expense, especially for a family or group. The value comes from the private pilot, cable-car access to the mountain launch, the equipment, the preparation, and up to 35 minutes of airtime when conditions allow.

It is not good value if you only want a quick amusement ride or a guaranteed fixed-length flight. The airtime may be closer to 15 minutes, and weather can change the plan. The price also does not include souvenir photos or hotel transfers.

I see stronger value for someone who specifically wants a first tandem paragliding experience in the Swiss Alps. You are not paying only for a short thrill. You are paying for the mountain ascent, the guided takeoff, the flight itself, and a landing close to Davos. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime activity, the private format and scenic setting make the cost easier to justify.

Families should calculate carefully. The available feedback includes a family whose children and parents all flew, and the team adjusted scheduling around passenger size and weight. Children under 12 are accepted only on request, so do not assume a young child can be added automatically.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to you if you want a strong Alpine memory without learning to pilot a paraglider yourself. It suits first-time flyers, couples, families with older children approved by the operator, and anyone who prefers a private outing over a large group activity.

You should have moderate physical fitness. The requirements are modest compared with a full mountain hike, but you still need to manage the walk to launch and a few running steps at both ends of the flight.

This is less suitable if you need a precise departure time, dislike weather-related changes, or want a long, guaranteed flight. The experience depends on wind, and the final airtime can vary from 15 to 35 minutes.

It may also be a poor match if you strongly dislike heights or motion. The standard flight is smooth, but spins and freestyle moves are available for people who want more action. Make your preference clear before takeoff.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

The activity is often booked about 30 days ahead, so I would reserve early if your Davos dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you must do so at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. A cancellation inside that window is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

That policy makes it wise to avoid booking the flight on the final morning of a short trip. Give yourself another possible day in Davos if you can. The flexibility is useful because the flight may need to move even when the valley looks pleasant, since conditions at the launch site are what matter.

What makes the pilot team important

A tandem flight depends heavily on the pilot. Your pilot manages the wing, reads the wind, controls the descent, and decides which maneuvers are appropriate. That makes the personal contact at the office and launch site more important than a simple ticket transaction.

Robert is specifically associated with advance communication and family scheduling. Peter is identified as the head pilot in one account, while Beat is mentioned alongside Robert on another flight. The available feedback also highlights a friendly, encouraging style and strong attention to safety and organization.

I would still treat the names as a guide to the wider Joyride Paragliding team rather than a guarantee that a particular pilot will fly on your date. If flying with a specific person matters to you, ask when arranging the booking.

Practical packing advice for Davos

Wear clothing suited to the season and the short mountain walk. Summer calls for hiking-style clothing, while winter may require ski-style layers. Extra clothing can be provided if necessary, according to the activity details.

Choose shoes that feel secure during the 10 to 20 minute walk and the short running starts. Avoid treating this as a dressed-up city excursion. You are going to a mountain launch site, and comfort matters more than appearance.

Keep your schedule open for roughly two hours. The airtime is only part of the experience, and wind conditions may affect the exact timing. Also remember that hotel transport is not provided, so plan your route to Brämabüelstrasse 9 in Davos Platz.

Should you book this Davos flight?

Book it if you want a memorable Alpine flight, can manage a short uphill walk, and are comfortable paying $252.95 for a weather-dependent private experience. The quiet glide, 1,000-meter descent, and choice between gentle flying and extra maneuvers give the activity broad appeal.

Think twice if your budget is tight, you need a fixed schedule, or you expect a guaranteed 35 minutes in the air. The flight may be shorter, the weather may force a change, and photos and hotel transfers cost extra.

For most people who have always wanted to try tandem paragliding, this is a sensible way to do it in Davos. Choose a date with some flexibility, dress for the mountain, and tell the pilot whether you want calm views or a little more excitement.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience start?

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

Where does the experience finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Davos, with the landing close to the starting area.

How long does the entire experience take?

The full appointment lasts approximately two hours, including the cable-car ride, walk to launch, preparation, flight, and landing.

How long will I be in the air?

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

How high is the flight?

The flight covers a height difference of about 1,000 meters from Jakobshorn down to Davos.

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No special skills are required. You fly with a private tandem pilot who prepares the wing and explains the takeoff.

How fit do I need to be?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. You walk uphill for about 10 to 20 minutes and take a few running steps during takeoff and landing.

Can children take part?

Children under 12 can participate only on request. The operator should confirm suitability before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The flight requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.