Paragliding Davos Early Bird (Video & Photos Included)

The best part of this Davos outing is the quiet morning flight from Jakobshorn, with nearly 1,000 meters between takeoff and landing. You rise above the Swiss Alps while the day is still fresh, then glide down with a pilot managing the technical work.

I like the private format, since your group gets personal attention instead of sharing the flight with a larger tour party. I also like that photos and video are included, so you can keep your hands free and enjoy the view. The main catch is simple: the cable car ticket is not included, and the whole plan depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Early start at 8:00 am: The morning schedule is chosen for pleasant flight conditions and clear Alpine views.
• Jakobshorn launch point: The flight begins high above Davos and drops about 1,000 meters in total elevation.
• FOCA-licensed tandem pilot: You fly with a certified professional who handles the paraglider and gives you instructions.
• Private activity: Only your own group takes part, which allows for more direct attention from the pilot.
• Photos and video included: You receive a visual record of the flight without needing to operate a camera in the air.
• Cable car paid separately: Summer reductions may be available with the Davos guest card.

A morning flight above Davos

Davos is a good setting for a first paragliding flight because the town sits in a broad Alpine valley, with high mountain slopes rising around it. From Jakobshorn, you get the visual drama of a mountain launch without signing up for a full day of adventure sports.

The early start matters. At 8:00 am, you are not simply beginning sooner for the sake of the schedule. The flight is planned around morning conditions, which the operator describes as pleasant for paragliding. Mountain weather can shift quickly, so an early flight may also give you a better chance at clear views before clouds build.

Your time in the air is part of an experience lasting about 1 hour and 45 minutes. That total includes meeting, preparation, the mountain ride, and the flight itself. It should not be read as 105 minutes in the air. The actual flight length is not specified, so you should book this for the sensation and setting rather than a guaranteed number of airborne minutes.

From Bahnhofstrasse to Jakobshorn

The meeting point is at Bahnhofstrasse 11 in Davos. This is a useful location if you are staying in town or arriving by public transportation. You meet there at 8:00 am, and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end.

The cable car ticket is extra. That is the main cost detail to put into your budget before booking. In summer, the Davos guest card may provide a reduction, so check whether you have one and ask how it applies before the morning begins.

The information supplied does not give a precise cable car fare or explain the exact transfer procedure from the meeting point to Jakobshorn. Allow enough time to meet promptly and follow the pilot’s directions. A late start is not ideal for an activity built around a particular weather window.

At Jakobshorn, you use the provided paragliding equipment and receive any clothing needed for the flight. The supplied clothing includes good shoes, a jacket, and gloves. Even so, dress sensibly for mountain conditions. The fact that these items are listed as available is helpful, but you should still confirm what you need to bring and what Air-Davos will provide on your date.

What the tandem flight feels like

Tandem paragliding is a good choice if you want the thrill of flight without learning to operate the wing yourself. The FOCA-licensed tandem pilot is responsible for the technical side, while you follow instructions and take in the view.

Expect a launch from Jakobshorn followed by a long, floating descent toward Davos. The advertised height difference is about 1,000 meters, which gives the flight its sense of scale. You are not simply looking across at a mountain from a viewpoint. You are moving through the Alpine air above the valley.

The flight’s appeal is its quietness. Paragliding does not have the engine noise of a helicopter or aircraft. You can focus on the slopes, peaks, and changing light around Davos while the pilot guides the wing.

A first flight can feel uncertain until the launch is under way. That is why the pilot’s manner matters. One pilot named Martin is specifically associated with a calm, relaxed approach, and the experience has been described as reassuring from the initial instructions through the landing. You cannot assume Martin will be your assigned pilot, but Air-Davos clearly places value on a professional and composed briefing.

The team’s explanations are another strong point. You should expect practical guidance before takeoff and direct instructions during the flight. You do not need previous paragliding experience, but you do need a moderate level of physical fitness and the ability to take part in the activity as directed.

Why the early timing can improve the view

The phrase early bird is not just a marketing label here. The operator chooses the morning because flight conditions are often pleasant at that time, and the mountain views can be especially clean before the weather changes.

Of course, the Alps do not follow a timetable. One flight began under overcast skies, then opened into better weather and even passed through a rainbow. That kind of surprise is part of the attraction, but it also shows why you should remain flexible. Cloud may add atmosphere, yet it can also limit distant views.

Good weather is required for the activity to run. If conditions are poor, Air-Davos can offer another date or a full refund. This is a sensible safety rule, but it means you should avoid placing the flight on the one morning when your entire Swiss itinerary depends on a particular view.

A private experience with useful personal attention

The activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That is valuable for a first-time flyer. You can ask questions without feeling rushed, and the pilot can give attention to your own comfort and understanding.

The private format does not mean you get a private cable car or a custom flight route. The included information does not promise a choice of launch point, airtime, or special maneuvers. What it does offer is a more personal setting around a standard tandem flight from Jakobshorn.

The pilot’s role is both technical and human. A calm briefing can make the difference between spending the flight watching the scenery and spending it worrying about what happens next. The feedback about feeling safe from the valley station through the landing fits the practical value of a private activity.

This is also a good match for couples, families with suitable older participants, and small groups who want one shared morning rather than separate sightseeing plans. The moderate fitness requirement still matters. You should be comfortable moving around at the mountain station and taking part in the launch and landing instructions.

Photos and video are more useful than they sound

Photos and video are included in the price. That is a meaningful benefit during a flight because handling your own phone can distract from the experience, and a loose device is not something you want to manage in the air.

The supplied information does not specify how many photos you receive, what video format is used, or how the files are delivered. Treat the inclusion as a welcome record of the flight, not as a promised professional photo package with a fixed number of images.

For many people, this is one of the best parts of the offer. You can look at the views instead of trying to frame every moment. The images may also capture the height and setting better than a quick phone photo taken from the ground.

If photographs matter a great deal to you, ask Air-Davos before the flight how the files are provided. That is not a complaint about the activity. It is a practical question whenever media is included but technical details are not listed.

What the $222.07 price represents

At $222.07 per person, this is not a low-cost way to see Davos. You are paying for a specialist tandem activity, a licensed pilot, equipment, clothing for the flight, and included photos and video. The private format adds value for people who prefer direct attention and a quieter setup.

The price becomes easier to justify if you already planned to visit Jakobshorn and want to turn the mountain ride into the main event. It is less attractive if you only want a high viewpoint, since a cable car ride and mountain walk would cost less and give you more control over how long you stay.

Remember to add the cable car ticket. Summer guest card reductions may help, but the exact saving is not given. If you are comparing several paragliding options around Davos, check whether each one includes the mountain lift, media, clothing, and private instruction. A lower headline price may not include the same items.

I see the best value here in the combination of personal instruction and a lasting record of the flight. You are not just buying access to a launch site. You are paying for a managed first-flight experience in one of Davos’s major mountain settings.

Practical details that affect your morning

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back there. That makes planning easier, especially if you do not have a car. The start time is fixed at 8:00 am, so this is not a sleep-in excursion.

Wear practical clothing and shoes. Air-Davos lists good shoes, a jacket, gloves, and similar flight clothing among the provided items, but you should not arrive dressed as if you are only taking a town walk. Mountain mornings can feel cool even when the valley later becomes warm.

The activity is offered in English. The confirmation is provided when you book, and the operator can confirm the arrangements for your date. Since weather controls the schedule, keep some room in your plans in case you need to move the flight.

You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted or refunded. The cut-off uses local Swiss time, so do not wait until the last minute if your plans change.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for someone who wants a memorable Alpine activity but does not want to take a paragliding course. The pilot handles the wing, and you get the sensation of flight with a clear structure before and after takeoff.

It also suits people who value quiet scenery and personal attention more than a large, social excursion. The private setup gives you room to ask questions and settle your nerves.

You may want to skip it if you dislike early starts, have very little flexibility in your schedule, or need guaranteed weather. You should also think carefully if you are uncomfortable with the physical demands of launching and landing or do not meet the moderate fitness recommendation.

This is not the right choice for someone who only wants to ride up Jakobshorn and take photographs from the summit. The flight is the point, and the cable car cost is still added on top.

Should you book the Davos early bird flight?

Book it if you want a first tandem paragliding flight with a licensed pilot, an early mountain start, and photos and video included. The calm instruction, private format, and roughly 1,000-meter descent make the package appealing for a special morning in Davos.

Before paying, confirm the cable car arrangements, what clothing you should bring, and how the photos and video will be delivered. Keep another date or a flexible morning available in case of poor weather.

If those conditions suit you, this is a strong choice for turning a Davos mountain visit into a real flight experience rather than just another cable car ride.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience take place?

The flight takes place in Davos, with takeoff from Jakobshorn mountain.

What time does the activity begin?

The meeting time is 8:00 am.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Bahnhofstrasse 11, 7270 Davos, Switzerland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Is the cable car ticket included?

No. The cable car ticket is paid separately. In summer, reductions may be available with the Davos guest card.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the pilot licensed?

The flight is operated by a FOCA-licensed tandem pilot.

Are photos and video included?

Yes. Photos and video are included with the experience.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.