Davos Ski And Fly (Video & Photos Included)

Feel the Alps beneath your skis, then leave them behind. This unusual Davos adventure combines a short ski launch with a tandem paraglide from Jakobshorn, giving you spectacular views over Davos without needing any flying experience. I like the clever two-part design: you begin with a familiar winter sport, then let a trained pilot handle the flight. I also like the personal feel, since this is a private activity for your group rather than a large shared outing.

The main catch is practical: the cable car ticket, transport, and ski equipment are not included. The flight also depends on wind and weather, so you need some flexibility in your schedule. Still, the friendly communication and the chance to reschedule after poor weather make this a strong choice for active visitors who want something more memorable than another run down the piste.

Key points at a glance

• Ski straight into the sky: You ski a few meters with the pilot before the paraglider lifts from Jakobshorn.
• About 1,000 meters of vertical difference: That gives you time to enjoy the flight and the mountain views.
• Martin has earned special praise: His calm instruction, professional manner, and long experience help first-time passengers feel secure.
• No solo flying skills needed: You ride attached to a qualified pilot, who manages the paraglider and flight procedures.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
• Bring your own ski setup: The flight gear is supplied, but skis and other skiing equipment are not.

Starting at Jakobshorn in Davos

Your meeting point is at Brämabüelstrasse 11 in Davos, near the valley station of the Jakobshorn cable car. From there, the cable car carries you up the mountain to the launch area. You can also request a meeting at the top of Jakobshorn, right in the middle of the ski area.

That second option may suit you if you are already skiing at Jakobshorn and have your own lift access arranged. If you are beginning at the valley station, allow extra time for the cable car journey and for getting ready. The advertised activity lasts about two hours, but the exact rhythm depends on the lift ride, weather check, preparation, launch, and landing.

The cable car is not part of the activity price. This matters when you work out the real cost of the outing. The displayed price is $0, but that does not mean the entire mountain experience is free. You still need to budget for the cable car and your trip to the meeting point, plus ski equipment if you do not already have it.

The view from the Swiss Alps

The first part of the experience is the view itself. From above, you get a broad look across the Swiss mountains and Davos, with about 20 minutes allocated to this portion of the outing. The flight is the reason to come, but the setting does much of the work.

A flight gives you a viewpoint that a normal ski run cannot. You see the mountain from the air instead of from a lift chair or trail. That change in scale is a big part of the appeal. The town, slopes, and surrounding peaks become part of one wide Alpine scene.

The exact view depends on the selected launch site and the day’s conditions. The pilot checks the wind and weather after you reach Jakobshorn, then chooses the safest and most suitable place to take off. That means you should not arrive expecting one fixed launch platform. The flexible choice is useful, even if it makes the plan less predictable.

Getting ready for the tandem flight

Before takeoff, the pilot gives you a full briefing. You learn how to launch, what to do during the flight, and how the landing works. For a beginner, this is the part that turns an intimidating idea into a manageable one.

You are not expected to control the paraglider. The pilot handles the equipment and guides the flight while you follow the instructions for the start and landing. You should still arrive ready to listen carefully and take the physical part seriously. The activity asks for moderate fitness, and you need to ski straight for a few meters alongside the pilot at launch.

That short ski is the unusual feature of the trip. You do not simply sit down and get carried into the air. You move with the pilot until the wing catches the air and lifts you. The transition from skis on snow to feet off the mountain is the moment that gives the activity its name and its character.

The launch procedure may sound demanding if you have never skied before, but the pilot stays with you and provides direct guidance. You should be comfortable enough on skis to move in a controlled, straight line. The supplied information does not describe this as a lesson, so complete beginners to skiing should think carefully before booking.

Flying above Davos for about 20 minutes

Once airborne, you have time to take in the view rather than rushing through a quick lift-off and landing. The listed height difference is about 1,000 meters, which gives the flight room to feel like a real mountain outing.

The flight can include the sensation of G-force, adding a more thrilling edge than a quiet scenic ride. How strong that sensation feels will depend on the pilot’s flying choices and the day’s air conditions. You can expect excitement, but the experience is not described as a fixed stunt show. The pilot makes decisions based on safety and weather.

This is also where the private format helps. Only your group participates, so the experience is not built around a crowd or a large schedule. You can focus on the instructions and the view without sharing the activity with a busload of strangers.

Air-Davos Paragliding provides the paraglider and related flight equipment. You do not need to buy expensive paragliding gear for a single outing. You do need to arrange your own skiing equipment, since that is specifically excluded.

The equipment arrangement is sensible for a one-time experience. Buying a paraglider would make no sense for most visitors, while skis or winter gear may already be available through your normal Davos plans. If you are not skiing elsewhere, remember that the missing equipment can add cost and planning.

The pilot makes the difference

The pilot is the heart of a tandem flight. Martin receives especially warm praise for his communication, competence, and professional approach. One particularly nice detail is that he helped make the experience meaningful for a father who had flown more than 27 years earlier but never completed his flying qualification. The flight brought back that old feeling without asking him to manage the technical work himself.

That story also shows why this can suit more than first-time thrill seekers. It works for someone curious about paragliding, a skier looking for a new view of familiar mountains, or a person returning to an old interest after many years.

The feedback about Martin points to three practical strengths:

• He gives clear instructions before the flight.
• He creates a sense of safety without taking away the excitement.
• He communicates flexibly when weather disrupts the original plan.

Those qualities matter more here than flashy presentation. A tandem paraglide asks you to trust someone with a very different skill set, so calm guidance is worth a great deal.

Weather is part of the booking

Paragliding cannot run on a strict clock in the same way as a museum visit. Wind and weather determine if the flight can go ahead. At the top of Jakobshorn, the pilot checks the conditions and decides which launch site is suitable.

If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is a fair policy and one of the more important benefits of booking this kind of outdoor activity. It does not remove the inconvenience of changing your plans, but it protects you from paying for a flight that cannot safely operate.

You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and last-minute changes are not accepted. I would avoid placing this activity on the final morning of a short Davos visit. Give yourself another day if possible, especially if the flight is one of your main reasons for coming.

The experience is subject to availability, and confirmation may take up to 48 hours. That makes early planning sensible. Do not assume that a booking request instantly guarantees a particular launch time.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Davos Ski and Fly to you if you meet several of these conditions:

• You are comfortable skiing a short, controlled stretch.
• You want a private activity rather than a group excursion.
• You enjoy mountain views but want something more active than a cable car ride.
• You can accept a weather-related schedule change.
• You weigh between 40 and 115 kilograms.
• You are at least 15 years old, since the activity is not recommended for children 14 and under.

It is especially appealing for couples, families with older teenagers, and friends who want a shared story from their time in Davos. The combination also makes a distinctive gift. The father who received it for Christmas shows how well the activity can work as a present for someone with a past connection to flying.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you have very little skiing ability, cannot manage moderate physical activity, or need a fixed timetable. It is also a poor fit if you want to fly alone. This is a tandem experience, and the pilot remains responsible for operating the paraglider.

What the two-hour timing really means

About two hours is enough for a focused outing, not a full day at the mountain. The time includes getting to the launch area, the weather and wind check, the safety briefing, takeoff, flight, and return to the meeting point.

Do not read the two-hour estimate as two hours in the air. The listed Alpine view portion is about 20 minutes, while the Jakobshorn stop includes the wider preparation and flying process. The actual airborne time may vary with conditions and the pilot’s choices.

That shorter format is useful if you are fitting the experience around skiing, sightseeing, or another Davos plan. It also means you should keep your schedule loose around the appointment. Cable car timing, preparation, and weather can all affect the exact pace.

Value, costs, and what you receive

The advertised price is $0, but the included items are the tandem ride, the pilot, and the paragliding equipment. The cable car ticket is separate. Transportation to and from the attractions is also separate, as is ski equipment.

So the value depends on what you already have arranged. If you are already in Davos, already equipped for skiing, and planning to use the Jakobshorn cable car, the activity adds a rare experience to your day without requiring a purchase of specialist flight gear. If you need transport, lift access, skis, and winter clothing, your total spend will be higher than the headline price suggests.

The real value is the combination. A regular scenic flight would offer mountain views, but this activity adds the ski launch and the physical feeling of leaving the slope. A normal ski day would give you snow and lift access, but not the air view or the G-force sensation.

The private format also adds value for a small group. You are not paying for a standard sightseeing ride with a fixed crowd. Your group works directly with the pilot, and the launch site can be selected according to the conditions.

Small practical points that matter

Wear or bring suitable ski clothing, since you will be at a mountain launch site and taking part in a snow-based start. The exact clothing requirements are not specified, so the safest approach is to use the gear you would normally choose for a day at Jakobshorn.

Arrange your cable car plan in advance. You may meet at the valley station, or request a meeting at the top of Jakobshorn if that fits your day. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you should understand how you will return after the flight.

The weight limit is firm at 40 to 115 kilograms. Check this before booking. The experience is private, but that does not mean every group member can join if they fall outside the stated limit or age guidance.

Confirmation can arrive within 48 hours and remains subject to availability. If your visit is short, book early and leave room for a change of date. The weather flexibility is helpful, but it works best when you have another suitable time available.

Should you book Davos Ski and Fly?

Book it if you want a short, high-impact Alpine experience and you are comfortable with the practical limits. The ski-to-flight launch is unusual, the Jakobshorn setting is excellent for mountain views, and the tandem format lets you try paragliding without buying equipment or learning to fly alone.

I would give this activity extra credit for the pilot care associated with Martin, the clear briefing, and the willingness to reschedule after bad weather. Those details matter when you are trying something that depends on both trust and mountain conditions.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed departure, have no skiing ability, or are counting on the displayed $0 price to cover the cable car and all transport. For the right person, though, this is one of those compact Davos activities that can become the highlight of a winter visit.

FAQ

Where does the Davos Ski and Fly experience start?

It starts at Brämabüelstrasse 11, 7270 Davos, Switzerland, at the valley station area of the Jakobshorn cable car.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Is the cable car ticket included?

No. The cable car ticket is not included in the activity.

Is skiing equipment provided?

No. Skiing equipment is not included. The paragliding equipment is provided.

Do I need paragliding experience?

No. You fly in tandem with a pilot, who guides the flight and manages the paragliding equipment.

What is the passenger weight limit?

Passenger weight must be between 40 and 115 kilograms.

Can children take part?

The activity is not recommended for children aged 14 and under.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.