One thousand meters up, then back to town. That is the core hook of this Davos tandem flight: you ride the cable car to Jakobshorn, then fly with your instructor straight down toward Davos. I love the clarity of the plan from start to finish, and I love that you get real airtime (15 to 35 minutes) without needing any skills. One consideration: there is a short hike to the launch area, so you should be okay with 10 to 20 minutes on mountain terrain.

The setup is also built to be stress-free. You meet at the Joyride Paragliding office near the cable cars in Davos Platz, you get geared up if needed, and your pilot handles the glider prep. In coordinating notes, the company mentions people like Robert for scheduling and head pilot Peter, and in other flights a colleague named Beat also appears in pilots’ roles, which tells you they run the operation with experienced people in the air. The big downside? The flight depends on good weather and wind, so you may have to be flexible.

Key things I’d pin on this flight before you book

• 1,000-meter altitude change from Jakobshorn to Davos, with 15 to 35 minutes of airtime
• Cable car access first, then a 10–20 minute hike to the launch spot
• Tandem control with your instructor in front, so you are not steering from takeoff
• Optional hands-on moment, including learning to steer or doing freestyle maneuvers if you want
• Private booking for your group, so the experience feels personal
• Gear support included, with additional clothes provided if needed (winter vs summer)

Jakobshorn to Davos: the 1,000-meter thrill without the pilot headaches

This is a classic Swiss Alps tandem flight done the practical way. The promise is simple: you launch from the Jakobshorn area and lose about 1,000 meters of altitude as you glide back into Davos. That vertical drop matters more than people expect. It is what gives you the sense of space, the long views, and the feeling you are really traveling—not just floating around.

What I like is how the airtime is specific: 15 to 35 minutes in the air, depending on wind conditions. Some flights market big numbers but do not tell you what you will actually spend time gliding. Here, you can plan around the real experience rather than guessing.

For the flight style, you get options. You can keep it calm and smooth for the full ride, or you can ask your pilot to show you steering basics or to try some freestyle maneuvers. That gives you a nice range: first-timers can enjoy the glide; thrill-seekers can still get action without having to become a pilot.

Meeting at Davos Platz and how the day stays organized

Your day starts at the Joyride Paragliding office at Brämabüelstrasse 9, 7270 Davos in Davos Platz. There is no complicated puzzle of multiple meeting points. Also, the activity ends back at the same meeting point, which helps if you want to plan dinner, drinks, or a hotel walk afterward.

The tour is a private activity. Only your group participates, so you are not stuck waiting with a big mixed crowd while others get called up. That is a comfort factor when you are traveling and want the day to feel smooth.

The booking rhythm is also worth noting. It is often reserved about 30 days in advance. That is normal for popular adventure in a place like Davos, where weather windows matter and slots fill.

Cable car ride + the short mountain hike to the launch

Here is how you get from town to air: you take the cable car to Jakobshorn with your pilot, then you hike for about 10 to 20 minutes to the launch area. This part is not long, but it is real. It means you should wear shoes you trust on uneven ground and be comfortable with walking on a slope.

Why this is valuable: the cable car reduces your logistics load. You are not trying to guess the best access route up the mountain or carrying bags to a trailhead. The hike is the only physical piece, and the company builds it into the schedule.

If you are traveling in winter, it is extra helpful that they offer additional clothes if needed. The info specifically notes winter gear in a skiing-like style, and summer gear in a hiking-like style. That does not remove the need to dress for cold or sun, but it does remove a big uncertainty for visitors who do not pack proper mountain layers.

Glider setup and takeoff: what you will actually do

Once you arrive at the launch, your pilot sets up the glider and explains the takeoff. This matters because paragliding is one of those activities where the beginning can feel mysterious if nobody explains it. Here, you get the cues and expectations up front—then you execute one job: take a few steps and let gravity do the rest.

The takeoff moment is described as a quick sprint-run, then airborne. You do not free-fall. Instead, you shift into a smooth glide. I think that is one of the reasons people walk away feeling proud rather than rattled. You are not being dropped out of an airplane. You are being launched into a controlled ride.

And you are not flying alone. You will sit comfortably in front of your pilot, which keeps your attention on views and balance rather than on controls during the first phase.

In the air over the valleys: smooth glide, spins, and optional steering

A tandem paragliding flight lives or dies on the in-air experience. In this one, the ride is designed to be either relaxing or more active, depending on what you want.

During the flight you will experience:

• A smooth glide with no engine noise
• An instructor-led experience where your pilot manages the flight path
• The option for more action: your pilot can show you how to steer, and you may try freestyle maneuvers if you are keen

That option is a big deal if you travel with mixed thrill levels. One person might want calm sightseeing. Another might want hands-on. Because your pilot is with you, the flight can adapt without changing the overall structure of the experience.

Also, the view time is not just a few seconds. You are up for 15 to 35 minutes. That gives you enough time to settle in, enjoy the Swiss Alps angles, and notice how Davos looks when seen from high above.

Landing back in Davos: quick steps and a clean finish

Landing is close to where you meet, and it involves again running a few steps. That closing detail is more important than it sounds. After adventure, you want your logistics to resolve quickly, not turn into a long hike back to nowhere.

The whole flight portion also has a wider time buffer. They reserve about 2 hours total for each flight, including the cable car and hike time. So you are not going to burn your entire afternoon waiting around without a plan. You can build your schedule with a realistic block of time.

Price and value: what $252.95 buys you (and what to watch for)

The price is listed at $252.95 per person, with an approx. 2-hour time commitment. For tandem paragliding, what you are paying for is not just a ride. You are paying for:

• A personal tandem pilot
• Time and responsibility for safely setting up, briefing you, flying, and landing
• The cable-car access and mountain logistics that get you to the launch area
• Extra clothing support if needed (winter and summer gear-style additions)

That last part is quietly valuable. If you arrive without the right cold-weather or hiking-weather clothing, you at least have an option provided by the operator.

What is not included is also clear. You are on your own for hotel pickup and drop-off, and you may buy souvenir photos if you want them. If you care about photos, consider that these are available to purchase rather than included by default.

One more value angle: this is private. For some people, paying a bit more for a one-group experience is worth it because it reduces waiting, reduces confusion, and keeps the day feeling personal.

Who this is best for in Davos (and who should rethink it)

This activity is a strong fit if you want the Alps from above without doing a technical course first. The rules are friendly: you do not need special skills, and there’s no requirement for extreme fitness.

You do need moderate fitness. The main physical item is the 10–20 minute hike to the launch point. If walking on uneven ground for that stretch is fine, you will likely be okay.

It is also private, so it works well for families and couples who want a shared adventure. One review highlight included a family group where the operator suggested schedule changes based on family size and weight, and the experience sounded especially smooth thanks to the pilots’ team approach.

One caution: children under 12 are only on request. If you are traveling with younger kids, plan early and confirm fit.

Winter vs summer flying: how gear and comfort shape the experience

The company notes they provide additional clothes if necessary, with winter described as skiing-like and summer described as hiking-like. That suggests they are thinking about comfort in cold or variable conditions, which matters up high.

In practice, you should treat this as a mountain activity, not a city one. Even if Davos looks sunny below, air at altitude can feel different. The fact that they gear you up helps, but your comfort still depends on weather and wind.

Also, because airtime depends on wind conditions, the day’s flying plan may shift. That is not a flaw. It is how you get the safest, most pleasant ride.

Weather windows and flexibility: why this can feel effortless when it works

This experience requires good weather. If conditions do not cooperate, you will be offered another date or a full refund. So the flight is not tied to a strict promise no matter what; it is tied to safety and conditions.

If you are the kind of traveler who hates loose plans, this can feel annoying. But if you treat it like a Swiss Alps weather-day experience, it often becomes smooth. You get a clear schedule block of about 2 hours, and if the air is right, you fly.

Should you book Davos Absolutely Free Flying Paragliding?

Book it if you want a high-impact Alps experience with low hassle. The reasons are practical: cable car up to Jakobshorn, a short hike, professional tandem instruction, and real airtime (15–35 minutes). You also get the option to keep it relaxed or try steering and maneuvers.

Skip or delay booking if you cannot handle moderate walking on a slope, or if you have very rigid plans that cannot shift with weather. The upside is that your operator is clear about needing good conditions, and they offer a solution if weather cancels things.

If you are deciding between just scenic time in Davos and a once-in-a-lifetime aerial view, this gives you the view that stays in your head long after the souvenir photo dries.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tandem paragliding flight?

You meet at Joyride Paragliding, Brämabüelstrasse 9, 7270 Davos, Switzerland in Davos Platz. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience from start to finish?

The full experience is reserved for about 2 hours.

How long is the actual airtime?

Airtime is typically 15 to 35 minutes, depending on wind conditions.

Do I need any prior paragliding skills?

No. You do not need any special skills to do a tandem flight. Your pilot handles the glider and flight.

Is there a hike involved?

Yes. After taking the cable car to Jakobshorn, you will hike for about 10 to 20 minutes to reach the launch site.

What happens during the flight?

You sit comfortably in front of your pilot and glide without engine noise. You can enjoy a smooth ride, and if you want, your pilot can show you how to steer and you may do freestyle maneuvers.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included: a personal tandem paragliding pilot and additional clothes if necessary. Not included: souvenir photos (available to purchase) and hotel pickup and drop-off.

What if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

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