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

The Alps look different from above. This private tandem flight carries you from Jakobshorn to Davos with a 1,000-meter height difference, no engine noise, and 15 to 35 minutes in the air. I like the personal attention from pilots Robert and Peter, and I like that you need no special flying skills. The main catch is simple: your airtime and schedule depend on the wind and weather.

The experience lasts about two hours from meeting to landing, with a short uphill walk before takeoff. At $252.95 per person, it is a serious splurge, but the price covers a private pilot, cable-car ascent, equipment, and a rare view of Davos that ordinary sightseeing cannot match.

Key points to know before you book

• A 1,000-meter descent: You fly from Jakobshorn down toward Davos, with broad views over Swiss Alpine peaks and valleys.
• 15 to 35 minutes airborne: Wind conditions decide the length, so the flight time is not fixed.
• A short mountain hike: Expect a 10 to 20-minute walk to the launch point after riding the cable car.
• Calm or acrobatic flight: You can request a smooth glide, help steer, or ask your pilot for freestyle maneuvers.
• Personal pilot service: This is a private activity for your group, with pilots such as Robert and Peter handling the flight.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations inside 24 hours normally receive no refund.

Meeting Joyride Paragliding in Davos Platz

Your day begins at Joyride Paragliding, at Brämabüelstrasse 9 near the cable-car station in Davos Platz. This is both the start and finish point, which keeps the logistics pleasantly simple. You do not need to arrange a separate ride back from some remote landing field.

Allow about two hours for the full experience. That includes meeting your pilot, riding up Jakobshorn, walking to the takeoff area, preparing the glider, flying, and returning to the meeting point after landing. The actual airtime is shorter, but the full time block matters when you are fitting this into a day of skiing, hiking, or sightseeing.

The activity is private, so only your group participates. That makes a difference. You are not waiting for a large batch of people to be briefed or launched one by one. Your pilot can focus on your comfort, your pace, and how much action you want in the air.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Since this experience is often reserved about 30 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last morning of your Davos stay, especially if your schedule is tight.

Riding Jakobshorn before takeoff

You ride the cable car with your pilot from Davos to the launch area on Jakobshorn. The ride is more than transport. It gives you time to look over Davos, watch the terrain change with altitude, and get a sense of the route you will soon travel by air.

The final approach is not directly beside the cable-car exit. You walk for about 10 to 20 minutes along the mountainside to reach the launch point. That walk is manageable for anyone with moderate physical fitness, but it is still worth planning for. Wear sensible shoes and avoid treating this like a ride that begins the moment you step out of the cable car.

In winter, Joyride can provide extra clothing similar to ski clothing if needed. In summer, the supplied clothing is more like hiking gear. That is useful because air temperature and wind can feel very different at the top than they do in Davos town.

You should still dress for the season and wear shoes suitable for a short mountain walk. The supplied information does not promise a full wardrobe for every condition, so do not arrive dressed only for a warm afternoon in the valley.

Preparing the glider on Jakobshorn

At the launch site, your pilot sets up the paraglider and explains how takeoff works. The key point is that you do not need technical training or previous experience. You follow the pilot’s instructions, take a few steps, and let the glider lift you from the mountain.

That simplicity is one of the strongest reasons to choose a tandem flight. You do not have to understand the lines, read the wind, or operate the wing by yourself. The pilot handles the flight while you enjoy the view from the front seat of the harness.

Takeoff still requires some cooperation. You should be ready to walk or run a few steps when instructed. The activity calls for moderate physical fitness, and the short approach walk plus the landing run are the main physical parts. This is not an extreme fitness test, but it is not completely passive either.

Children under 12 can participate only on request. If you are arranging a family flight, contact Joyride before making firm plans. The experience can suit families, but age and group size need attention.

The flight from Jakobshorn to Davos

The airborne section is a smooth glide from the mountain toward Davos, with a height difference of about 1,000 meters. You sit in front of your pilot, while the pilot controls the glider behind you. There is no engine noise and no free fall, which gives the flight a quieter, more gentle feel than many people expect from a thrill activity.

I like this combination of excitement and calm. You can look across the Swiss Alps without the vibration, fumes, or roar of a motor. The views over peaks and valleys are the main event, and the slow pace gives you time to take them in.

Airtime lasts 15 to 35 minutes, depending on wind conditions. That range is important when you judge the price. On a day with less favorable conditions, your flight may be closer to the shorter end. On a good day, the pilot may find lift and keep you in the air longer.

The exact views also depend on weather. Clear skies give you the best chance of seeing far across the mountains, while clouds can limit the outlook. The company may reschedule the flight if conditions are poor. If the experience is canceled for weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Choosing between a gentle glide and more action

You can tell your pilot what kind of flight you want. For a relaxed outing, simply enjoy a gradual descent and the quiet movement through the air. This suits first-time flyers, families, and anyone more interested in scenery than stomach-turning tricks.

If you want more excitement, your pilot can show you how to steer the glider. You may also request freestyle maneuvers. The information provided does not guarantee that every maneuver will be possible, since wind conditions and safety come first, but the option gives the experience some flexibility.

This is where the private format pays off. You can communicate directly with your own pilot rather than follow a fixed program designed for a large group. Robert and Peter receive repeated praise for being encouraging, professional, and enjoyable company in the air. Robert also contacted one family several days in advance to discuss schedule changes based on family size and weight, a useful sign of careful planning.

The same personal approach helps if you feel nervous. You can say clearly that you want a steady flight, or ask about more active flying once you are comfortable. A good tandem experience should not force you into thrills you did not request.

Landing close to the Davos meeting point

The flight ends with a landing near the original meeting area in Davos. You again take a few steps or run lightly as instructed, and then the activity is finished close to where it began.

That return point is a practical advantage. You do not need hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off is not included, but you can make your own way back through Davos after the flight. It also means you can leave luggage or extra items according to the provider’s instructions at the starting point, rather than carry everything into the mountains.

Souvenir photos are available for an extra charge. They are not included in the listed price, so decide before the flight if having a record of the experience matters to you. Your hands may be busy during takeoff and landing, and the best views are not always easy to capture yourself.

What the $252.95 price buys you

At $252.95 per person, this is not a casual add-on like a short cable-car ride. You are paying for a specialist activity, a personal tandem pilot, equipment, the mountain ascent as part of the outing, and a substantial block of one-on-one time.

I think the value is strongest if you want a memorable centerpiece for your Davos visit. The experience gives you a perspective that a viewing platform cannot provide. You are not just looking toward the mountains, you are moving through the air above the valley and descending from Jakobshorn under a wing.

The value is less clear if you are mainly seeking a cheap way to see the scenery. The flight can last 15 minutes in some conditions, and photos cost extra. You also need to reserve around two hours and accept that weather can change the plan.

Because the activity is private, the price may make more sense for a couple, family, or small group that values personal service. The strong 5-star record, with 111 reviews and 100 percent recommending it, supports the idea that the operation is well regarded. Still, those figures cannot remove the normal uncertainty of mountain weather or guarantee a particular flight length.

Who will enjoy this Davos flight most

I would recommend this to a first-time flyer who wants Alpine scenery without needing special skills. The pilot manages the technical work, while you enjoy the view and choose between a calm descent and optional action.

It is also a good fit for a family with older children, provided children under 12 receive approval in advance. One family described flying with the children, parents, Robert, and Peter, and valued the care taken with scheduling and passenger details.

This may not suit you if you dislike heights, cannot manage a short mountain hike, or need a fixed timetable. The 15 to 35-minute airtime range and weather dependence require some flexibility. Anyone expecting a powered, fast-moving adventure should also understand that tandem paragliding is mainly a quiet glide, with optional maneuvers rather than constant thrills.

The experience is offered in English. German-speaking support also appears possible through the local team, but English is the stated language for the activity.

Practical booking advice for Davos

Book ahead if this flight is important to your trip. The activity is often reserved about 30 days in advance, and weather may already force you to shift dates. If you have several days in Davos, place the flight early in your stay so a weather change leaves room for another date.

Keep your schedule open around the two-hour appointment. The launch walk, wind checks, and preparation all need time. Avoid booking a tightly timed train, meal, or other paid activity immediately afterward.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead normally are not refunded or accepted. Since the local weather can cancel the flight, this policy is worth reading before you commit.

At the meeting point, confirm what personal items can remain at the office and ask about clothing if you are unsure what to wear. Bring footwear suited to a 10 to 20-minute mountain walk, and plan for conditions that may feel cooler at the launch site.

Should you book the Jakobshorn tandem flight?

Book it if you want one major Alpine memory, enjoy open-air views, and can accept a little uncertainty. The private pilot, simple takeoff, flexible flight style, and landing near Davos make this easier for a first flight than the word paragliding may suggest.

Skip it if the price feels too high for a weather-dependent activity, or if you need guaranteed airtime and a fixed schedule. For everyone else, this is a strong choice in Davos: peaceful when you want it, lively when conditions allow, and guided by pilots such as Robert and Peter who put care into the experience.

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.

How long does the full activity take?

The complete experience takes about two hours, including the meeting, cable-car ride, walk to takeoff, preparation, flight, and landing.

How long will I be in the air?

Airtime lasts 15 to 35 minutes, depending on wind conditions.

How high is the flight?

The flight covers a height difference of about 1,000 meters between Jakobshorn and Davos.

Do I need paragliding experience?

No. You do not need special skills or extreme fitness, but you should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Is there any walking involved?

Yes. After riding the cable car, you walk for about 10 to 20 minutes to the launch site. Landing also involves taking a few steps or running lightly.

Can children take part?

Children under 12 may participate only on request.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.