Davos: Tandem Paragliding Flight

The best part of this Davos experience is the simple thrill of leaving the mountain on foot and landing back in town by air. You ride up Jakobshorn with a local pilot, check the wind, take a few running steps, and suddenly you are gliding above Graubünden. The pilot handles the technical work, but you can talk, ask questions, and possibly help steer.

I like the local pilot team, with about 30 years of paragliding experience, and the freedom to choose among launch areas near the summit, Jatzhütte, or Brämabüel. I also like that pictures of your flight are included, so you can stay focused on the views rather than holding a camera. The main thing to watch is the extra cable-car cost, unless your summer Davos Klosters guest card covers it.

Key points

• Jakobshorn launch sites: Your pilot checks the wind and chooses a suitable starting point near the summit, Jatzhütte, or Brämabüel.
• Two-section cable-car ride: The flight begins with a scenic ascent from Jakobshornbahn in Davos Platz.
• Experienced local pilots: The team has about 30 years of paragliding experience, with German and English instruction.
• Private-group format: You receive direct attention from your pilot rather than joining a large shared group.
• Photos included: You receive pictures of the flight, a useful extra for a hands-free experience.
• Flexible booking: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Taking the Jakobshornbahn from Davos Platz

Your outing begins at the valley station of the Jakobshornbahn in Davos Platz. This meeting point matters because you do not need to find your way to a remote mountain launch field on your own. You meet the pilot at the lift, then travel together toward the top.

The ride uses two sections of the Jakobshorn cable car. That gives you time to settle in before the flight rather than being rushed straight into a harness. You can ask about the equipment, the launch, steering, the expected flight, and landing. The pilot also explains how tandem paragliding works, which is helpful if this is your first time in the air.

The cable-car ride is part of the practical setup, but it also gives you a gradual change of scene. Davos drops away as the lift climbs toward Jakobshorn. Bring warm outdoor clothing even if the valley feels mild. Mountain air can be cooler, and you will be standing outside while the pilot checks conditions and prepares the wing.

The cable-car ticket is not included in the listed price. In summer, the Davos Klosters guest card includes it, so bring that card if you have one. This is an important value detail. Without the card, your real outing cost is higher than the $245 activity price.

Choosing a launch site above Davos

At the top, the pilot checks the wind before deciding where to begin. That choice is made for the conditions on the day, not simply because one launch point is always used. The usual options are directly below the Jakobshorn summit, near Jatzhütte, or at Brämabüel.

That flexibility is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Paragliding depends on wind and weather, so a pilot who can select a suitable site has more room to set up a safe, comfortable start. You do not need to understand the technical readings. Your job is to listen, follow instructions, and enjoy the mountain setting.

The walk to the launch point may vary based on the pilot’s choice. The supplied information calls for a normal level of fitness, so this is not a purely passive cable-car outing. You should be comfortable walking in mountain conditions and taking a short running start. Good shoes matter here, as do sunglasses and warm layers.

The launch sites also change the feel of the opening minutes. A start close to the summit gives you an immediate sense of height. Jatzhütte and Brämabüel offer different positions on the mountain, selected according to the wind. You are not promised one fixed view or one fixed flight path, and that is worth understanding before booking.

Preparing the tandem wing and harness

Once you reach the chosen starting point, the pilot lays out the flight equipment and prepares the wing. You are connected to the tandem apparatus, with the pilot handling the technical checks and setup.

This is a good time to pay attention. Ask anything you need to ask before the run begins. The team speaks German and English, and the flight itself allows easy conversation with the pilot. You are not left to guess what happens next.

The equipment is included, as is luggage storage. That makes the meeting point easier if you are carrying a small day bag or extra clothing. The supplied information does not specify luggage limits, so keep your belongings manageable and ask the pilot about anything bulky before the cable-car ride.

You should wear outdoor clothing that lets you move freely. Sturdy shoes are recommended, and sunglasses will help with the bright mountain light and the wind in the air. Appropriate clothing and shoes can be provided if required, which is useful if your own outfit is not suitable. Still, I would arrive dressed for cool conditions rather than count on borrowing everything.

Running a few steps into the air

The launch is short and active. You run together with the pilot for a few steps, and the wing lifts you from the ground. There is no need for you to manage the complicated parts of takeoff, but you do need to follow the pilot’s instructions and move with them.

That brief run is the one part of the outing that may make some people nervous. A normal fitness level is required, and you should be ready to walk and run on a mountain surface. The activity is not designed as a sit-down ride from the summit.

Once airborne, the mood changes quickly. You are seated in the tandem harness and moving with the air rather than standing on a platform. The pilot stays with you throughout the flight and handles the main controls.

The experience is private, which is valuable here. You can speak directly with your own pilot instead of trying to hear instructions across a large group. The local team includes pilots with about 30 years of experience in Davos, and the names Martin and Joko have been associated with especially memorable flights. Your assigned pilot may differ, but the direct format remains the same.

Gliding over Davos with a pilot beside you

The flight gives you a bird’s-eye view of Davos and the surrounding Swiss mountains. The exact duration of the airtime is not stated separately from the total two-hour activity, so do not treat the full two hours as time in the sky. It includes the meeting, cable-car ride, preparation, launch, flight, and return to town.

You can talk easily during the flight. Tell the pilot what you want to know, ask about the route, or simply sit quietly and take in the views. You may also be able to steer yourself, under the pilot’s direction. That extra involvement makes the flight more than a passive ride, but you can also choose to let the pilot handle everything.

I like this balance. Someone trying paragliding for the first time may want reassurance and a calm introduction. Someone looking for a little more participation can try steering. The pilot remains responsible for the flight, so you are not expected to arrive with any technical knowledge.

The included flight pictures add real value. You can enjoy the scenery without trying to operate a phone while airborne. The supplied details do not say how many photos you receive or how they are delivered, so ask the provider if that matters to your decision. Still, having photography included is a useful advantage over an activity that leaves you to document the moment yourself.

Landing back in Davos

The flight ends at a landing site in Davos. Returning to town by air keeps the outing compact and practical. You do not need another mountain transfer after landing, and the two-hour schedule fits more easily into a day of sightseeing or other mountain activities.

Landing is handled with the pilot’s guidance. As with takeoff, listen closely and follow the instructions. You should expect an active experience rather than a completely hands-off amusement ride, but the pilot manages the flight equipment and the landing process.

Because the flight path and landing conditions depend on the day, the precise landing spot is not given in advance. The important point is that the experience concludes in Davos, not at an isolated mountain station. That makes it easier to continue your day once the flight ends.

What the $245 price really covers

At $245 per person, this is a major splurge for a two-hour activity. You are paying for a private-group experience, tandem equipment, a trained pilot, the cable-car ascent with the pilot, and flight pictures. You also receive luggage storage and appropriate clothing or shoes if required.

The price makes more sense if you value personal attention. This is not a large group looking for the cheapest way into the air. You have a pilot available for questions before and during the flight, and the launch site is selected according to the wind.

The cable-car ticket is the main extra cost. In summer, a Davos Klosters guest card includes the ride, which improves the value considerably. Check your card before arriving so you know what is covered. If you do not have one, add the lift fare to your budget.

The strong satisfaction record also gives the experience some context. Twelve published ratings give it five stars, with repeated praise for the pilots, organization, kindness, and overall fun. Comments describe the experience as well organized and superb, and one participant specifically praised Martin and Joko. That does not remove the weather and fitness considerations, but it supports the idea that the service is polished.

Who will enjoy this flight most

This is a good choice for you if you want a first paragliding experience with a pilot managing the technical side. You get an introduction to the sport, a mountain lift ride, a short launch run, air time above Davos, and a landing back in town.

It also suits a couple, a family group, or friends who want a private arrangement rather than a busy shared activity. The private-group format lets you ask more questions and set the pace of conversation with the pilot.

You should think twice if you dislike heights, cannot manage a short run, or want a guaranteed flight time and fixed route. The launch point depends on the wind, and the total two-hour duration includes much more than airtime. This is also not the best pick for someone counting every franc, especially if the cable car is not covered by a guest card.

Bring warm outdoor clothes, good shoes, sunglasses, and your Davos Klosters guest card if available. Allow enough time to meet at Jakobshornbahn in Davos Platz and avoid arriving weighed down with unnecessary luggage.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful when mountain plans may change, especially when you are arranging several activities around weather and lift schedules.

The activity lasts two hours, with starting times subject to availability. Instruction is available in German and English. The format is a private group, so the booking is better suited to people who want direct attention than to those seeking a large social outing.

Air-Davos Paragliding provides the experience. The pilots are based in Davos, which matters because local familiarity helps them choose among the available launch areas. It also gives you a chance to ask about the region as you ride up and prepare.

Should you book the Davos flight?

Book it if the idea of running off Jakobshorn, gliding above Davos, and landing back in town sounds more exciting than intimidating. The experienced local team, private format, included pictures, and option to steer make this a well-rounded first flight.

Skip it if the $245 price feels too high, if you want a long airborne session with a stated flight duration, or if a short mountain run is not comfortable for you. Also check the cable-car cost before booking. With the summer guest card, the package is easier to justify. Without it, budget for the added lift ticket.

For the right person, this is a memorable way to see Graubünden from an entirely different angle, with enough guidance to feel supported and enough freedom to feel like you are truly flying.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding activity begin?

You meet your pilot at the valley station of the Jakobshornbahn in Davos Platz.

How long does the experience last?

The total activity lasts two hours, including the meeting, cable-car ride, preparation, flight, and landing.

Is the cable-car ticket included?

No. The cable-car ticket is not included, but it is included in the Davos Klosters guest card during summer.

What languages do the pilots speak?

Instruction is available in German and English.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. The booking is arranged as a private group.

Where does the flight launch?

The pilot chooses a suitable site after checking the wind. Usual launch areas are below the Jakobshorn summit, Jatzhütte, or Brämabüel.

Where does the flight finish?

The landing site is in Davos.

What should I wear?

Warm outdoor clothes, good shoes, and sunglasses are recommended. Appropriate clothes and shoes can be provided if required.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.