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

From Jakobshorn, you take a few running steps and suddenly Davos is below you, with the Swiss Alps opening in every direction. This private tandem flight gives you a long, quiet glide rather than a noisy ride, with 15 to 35 minutes in the air and a 1,000-meter drop back to town.

I like the easy setup: the cable car handles most of the climb, and your pilot takes care of the equipment and instructions. I also like the personal touch from pilots such as Robert, Peter, and Beat, who have adjusted flight timing and arrangements for families and changing weather.

The main catch is that flying time depends on wind conditions. You also need to hike 10 to 20 minutes to the launch site, then run a few steps for takeoff and landing, so this is not a sit-still activity for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before you book

• A 1,000-meter descent: You fly from Jakobshorn down to Davos, with sweeping views across the peaks and valleys.
• 15 to 35 minutes in the air: Wind conditions decide how long you stay aloft.
• No special skills required: Your tandem pilot handles the glider, while you follow simple takeoff and landing instructions.
• A short mountain hike: After the cable-car ride, expect 10 to 20 minutes on foot to reach the launch area.
• Optional extra action: Ask your pilot about steering the glider, spins, or freestyle moves if conditions allow.
• A central finish: You land close to the Davos meeting point, usually with a few running steps.

From Davos Platz to Jakobshorn launch

Your morning or afternoon begins at the Joyride Paragliding office on Brämabüelstrasse 9 in Davos. Meet your personal pilot there, then ride the cable car from Davos Platz toward Jakobshorn.

That cable-car ride is an important part of the outing. You gain height without a long mountain climb, and the views begin before you ever reach the glider. It also gives you time to meet your pilot, ask questions, and get comfortable with the idea of stepping off a mountain.

The final approach to the launch site requires a 10 to 20-minute hike. It is described as a short mountain walk, but you should still wear sensible shoes and be ready for uneven ground. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, not athletic ability, yet you should be able to walk uphill and take a few quick steps when launching.

At the top, your pilot lays out the glider and checks the setup. The briefing covers how to stand, when to run, and what to do once the wing catches the air. This is the part where a calm, clear pilot matters, and the company’s named pilots, including Robert, Peter, and Beat, are repeatedly praised for making the process feel friendly and well organized.

The takeoff is quick, not a free fall

Tandem paragliding can sound more dramatic than it feels. You do not leap into empty space, and there is no engine roar. After the pilot gives the signal, you take a few steps while the wing rises behind you. The ground drops away as the glider catches the air.

The first useful tip is simple: listen closely and keep moving until your pilot tells you to stop. The takeoff is not described as a technical challenge, but you do need to cooperate. Comfortable clothing helps, and the company can provide extra clothes if needed, with ski-style layers in winter and hiking-style clothing in summer.

Once airborne, you sit in front of the pilot in the tandem harness. That position gives you a clear view and lets the pilot manage the glider from behind. The flight uses no engine, so the ride is powered by the air and the mountain conditions rather than by a motor.

For many people, the quiet is part of the appeal. You hear the air and your pilot, not a propeller. The ride is a smooth glide, though the amount of movement can vary with the wind.

1,000 meters above Davos

The central promise here is the height difference: about 1,000 meters between Jakobshorn and Davos. That creates a long descent and plenty of time to look around instead of rushing through a short amusement-park-style ride.

You see Davos from a rare angle, with the town below and the Swiss Alps stretching around it. The exact view and airtime depend on the weather, but the basic setting is strong: a mountain launch, open air, and a gradual return to the valley.

The flight usually lasts 15 to 35 minutes. That is a useful range to keep in mind. You may get a shorter flight when conditions are less favorable, while good wind can keep the glider aloft longer. The tour sets aside about two hours in total, which covers meeting the pilot, riding the cable car, hiking to the launch site, preparing the glider, flying, and landing.

I would not book this expecting a fixed 35-minute flight. Think of the airtime as weather dependent, with the broader outing lasting around two hours. That makes the schedule fairly manageable, but you should avoid placing an important appointment immediately afterward.

Calm cruising or spins and steering

Your pilot controls the glider, so you do not need previous paragliding experience. The standard flight is a smooth descent, and that is likely the best choice if you want to take in the views without adding extra movement.

If you want more action, ask about steering the glider or trying spins and other freestyle maneuvers. These options depend on conditions and your comfort. They also change the feel of the ride, so tell your pilot what kind of flight you want rather than assuming every tandem flight includes tricks.

This flexibility is one of the better features of the outing. A family group can choose a gentler flight, while an adventurous adult may ask for more movement. One family described Robert and Peter as helpful with arrangements involving different ages and weights, which matters when you are booking for more than one person.

Children under 12 can fly only on request. The information provided does not give a standard age range above that, so families with younger children should ask before making plans. The private format means only your own group participates, which makes it easier to discuss comfort levels and keep the flight style consistent.

Landing close to the Davos meeting point

The flight ends near the original meeting area in Davos. As with takeoff, landing involves a few running steps. Your pilot guides the approach and tells you what to do, but you need enough balance and mobility to move as the glider reaches the ground.

This central finish is convenient. You do not need to arrange a separate ride from a distant landing field, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. After the landing, you can collect your belongings and continue with your day in Davos.

The landing is worth considering if you have knee, hip, balance, or mobility concerns. The tour does not present itself as accessible for people unable to walk or run briefly. Moderate fitness is the stated expectation, and that is a fair description of the physical side.

How much value do you get for $252.95?

At $252.95 per person, this is a major splurge. You are paying for more than 15 to 35 minutes of airtime. The price also covers a private pilot, cable-car access to the launch area as part of the outing, equipment, setup, instruction, and a guided return to Davos.

The private format improves the value for couples, families, and small groups who want their own pilot rather than a large shared activity. You can discuss the pace and level of action directly with the pilot, and the company has shown flexibility when arranging flights for groups with different sizes and weights.

Still, the price may feel high if your main goal is simply to see Jakobshorn. A cable-car ride and mountain viewpoint cost less, and the flight time is not guaranteed to reach the top of the 15 to 35-minute range. You should book this because you want the flight itself, not just the scenery.

Souvenir photos are not included, but they are available to buy. If photographs matter to you, budget for that extra cost. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you need to reach the Davos meeting point yourself.

Weather controls the timetable

Paragliding needs suitable weather, and this outing can be canceled if conditions are poor. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but it does not remove the need for flexibility in your schedule.

The flight can also be adjusted on the day to match the wind. One account of a separate flight with the same pilots describes cloudy conditions at first, followed by a wait and a later flight in clearer skies. That is a good reminder that patience may be part of mountain flying.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Since the cutoff uses local time, check the scheduled start carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to you if you want a strong Alpine view without committing to a full day of climbing or a technical outdoor course. You need only moderate fitness, and the pilot handles the complicated parts.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a memorable shared activity
• Families with children 12 and older, subject to the pilot’s approval for younger children
• First-time flyers who want a controlled tandem flight
• Active visitors who would like to add spins or steering
• Anyone who prefers a private outing instead of a large group

I would think twice if you dislike heights, need a precise flight duration, or cannot walk and run briefly on mountain ground. The experience is gentle once you are airborne, but the takeoff, hike, and landing still require active participation.

The flight is also not ideal for a tightly packed itinerary. The scheduled time is about two hours, yet weather can affect the start and the airtime. Leave room for a delayed takeoff or a change in plans.

What the strongest praise points to

The most consistent strengths are the pilots, the simple organization, and the views. Robert is mentioned by name for contacting a family in advance about schedules, group size, and weight. Peter is described as pleasant to work with, while Beat is also singled out as part of a fun and capable pilot team.

That personal contact is valuable in an activity where trust matters. You are not handed a helmet and sent toward a launch ramp alone. Your pilot meets you, rides up with you, prepares the glider, explains the takeoff, flies behind you, and guides the landing.

The scenery receives equal praise, but the setting does the work naturally. Jakobshorn gives you height, Davos gives you a clear valley finish, and the quiet flight lets you look around without an engine blocking the sound of the air.

The positive accounts also point to an important practical fact: the activity can work for a family group. That does not mean every child or adult will be accepted without discussion, but it does show why contacting the company early is wise when your group includes different ages, sizes, or comfort levels.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding flight begin?

You meet the pilot at Joyride Paragliding, Brämabüelstrasse 9, 7270 Davos, Switzerland. From there, you ride the cable car toward Jakobshorn.

How long is the whole activity?

The activity takes about two hours in total. This includes meeting the pilot, the cable-car ride, the 10 to 20-minute hike to the launch site, preparation, flight, and landing.

How long will I be in the air?

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

How high do I fly above Davos?

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

Do I need paragliding experience?

No special skills are required. Your tandem pilot handles the glider and explains the takeoff and landing. You should have moderate physical fitness.

Can I request spins or steer the glider?

Yes. If you want more action, you can ask the pilot about steering the glider, spins, or freestyle maneuvers. These options depend on conditions and your comfort.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book the Jakobshorn flight?

Book it if you want a real Alpine flight rather than another mountain viewpoint. The 1,000-meter descent, quiet glide, private pilot, and central Davos landing make this a memorable use of two hours.

Before paying $252.95, make sure you are comfortable with the price, the short hike, the running steps at takeoff and landing, and a flight time shaped by wind. Contact Joyride early if you are booking for children or a mixed-size family group.

For a first tandem flight in Davos, this is a strong choice for people who want personal guidance and room to choose between a calm ride and extra action. Just leave your schedule flexible, wear suitable clothes and shoes, and treat the weather as part of the adventure.