If you like seeing the Alps from above, this one delivers. A tandem flight from Jakobshorn in Davos pairs a calm, professional setup with the feeling of free air, and you also get incredible pictures after. My favorite part is how easy it is to communicate with your pilot during the flight, including steering if you want it. One thing to consider: the cable car ticket isn’t included (in summer it may be covered with a Davos Klosters guest card), and you’ll need normal fitness for the outdoor, active steps.

You start at the valley station, ride up in the Jakobshorn cable car in two sections, then launch after the pilot checks the wind and chooses the best spot. It’s designed as a smooth, beginner-friendly experience with a private group, so you’re not stuck waiting around while others go. If you come prepared with warm clothes, good shoes, and sunglasses, this feels like a top-value Davos activity for people who want real altitude without complicated planning.

Key takeaways before you book

• Local expertise from Davos pilots: pilots with 30 years of paragliding experience guide you end-to-end.
• Cable car to the summit: you’ll go up in two sections before anything airborne happens.
• Wind check and smart launch sites: the pilot evaluates conditions and may launch from under the summit, Jatzhütte, or Brämabüel.
• You can steer or just glide: choose your comfort level in the air.
• Photos are part of the deal: you’ll receive impressive pictures from the flight.
• Private group vibe: German or English instruction with time to ask questions before takeoff.

Why Jakobshorn in Davos is a serious place to fly

Jakobshorn is one of those mountains where paragliding isn’t an experiment. You get a whole “fly-ready” setup: an experienced pilot team, a cable car that gets you to altitude fast, and known launch options in the area. That matters because paragliding success is mostly about the right spot and the right conditions, not luck.

What I like here is the practical approach. Your pilot doesn’t just send you off. They check the wind before selecting a suitable launch site, then they match the launch approach to what the conditions are doing that day. That’s the difference between a fun ride and a flight that feels calm and controlled.

And Davos has a strong paragliding culture. The pilot team here comes from Davos and is described as having 30 years of experience. You can feel it in the pace: explanation when you need it, preparation done thoroughly, and clear guidance when it’s time to run and launch.

Your start at Jakobshornbahn: valley meeting to cable car climb

Your day begins at the valley station of the Jakobshornbahn in Davos Platz. You’ll meet your pilot there, and this is where the experience becomes more than just a “ride.” There’s time to ask questions before the cable car ride, and you’ll get insight into how paragliding works—what matters on launch, what you can do in the air, and what the pilot is watching for.

Then you take the Jakobshorn cable car in two sections up to the summit area. This is a big part of why the experience is beginner-friendly. Instead of hiking and scrambling, you’re transported smoothly to a launching zone, with the pilot nearby the whole time. You also get a natural rhythm to the day: meet, ride up, talk through details, then prepare to launch.

A small drawback to keep in mind: this is time outdoors, dressed for mountain weather. Even if you’re not hiking, you’ll still be standing around in open air for parts of the process. Warm outdoor clothes and good shoes help a lot.

Summit preparation: wind checks and picking between launch spots

Once you reach the top, your pilot checks the wind situation. That wind check is one of the most important “invisible” parts of the day. From your side, it means you can relax and trust the process. Your pilot is selecting a suitable launch site based on what’s working, not just on preference.

You’ll usually launch from one of these typical starting areas:

• directly below the summit
• from Jatzhütte
• from Brämabüel

Which one you get can vary with conditions. What stays consistent is that the pilot prepares the material for your flight and connects you with the apparatus before takeoff. If you’re wondering what the pilot is doing during this stage, it’s the core safety and comfort work—checks, setup, and getting everything aligned so you can focus on the fun part: getting airborne.

You also get time for questions before and after the cable car ride. That’s helpful if you’re nervous, curious, or just want to understand what you’re about to feel. I’d treat that conversation as part of the experience, not as filler.

From steps to flight: launch run, talking midair, and steering options

When it’s time, your pilot prepares everything at the start point. Then you launch together. The launch is not a dramatic jump from a cliff; it’s a coordinated run together with your pilot, followed by a smooth transition into the air.

During the flight, the experience is built for communication. You can talk easily to your pilot and tell them your wishes. That matters because “wishes” can mean different things: some people want maximum sightseeing, some want more control, and some just want to keep it simple and steady.

Two standout ways you can experience the time in the air:

• You can steer yourself if you want a hands-on feel.
• Or you can simply glide along and enjoy the views without active control.

Either way, the goal is the same: you feel free like a bird during your air time. The steering option is a huge confidence booster for first-timers, because it gives you a way to participate without needing flying experience.

One detail that comes up in guide feedback is how kind and organized pilots can be. People specifically mentioned pilots named Martin and Joko in their experience, and that aligns with what you’re looking for in tandem paragliding: someone who explains clearly, moves smoothly, and keeps the whole flow under control.

Landing back in Davos: finishing strong with photos

Your landing site is later located in Davos, which means the flight wraps up back in the same general area you started from. That reduces logistical stress. You’re not left figuring out a complicated end point after you land.

The day also ends with something you’ll likely care about later: you receive incredible pictures of your flight. For a lot of travelers, the photos are what turn the memory into something you can actually share. It’s not just “I was up there,” it’s proof of the angle, the motion, and the scale of the Alps from above.

The overall timing works well too. The experience is listed as 2 hours, which usually means you’re getting the full flow—meeting, cable car ride, summit setup, flight, and conclusion—without taking over your whole day.

Price and what makes the $245 feel fair

At $245 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity in Davos. But it’s also not priced like a luxury fantasy. It’s priced like guided adventure with real logistics.

Here’s what’s included:

• tandem flight
• flight equipment
• free luggage storage
• appropriate clothes and shoes (if required)

That equipment + tandem setup is the backbone of what you’re buying. You’re not renting a harness and hoping for the best. You’re paying for trained pilots, preparation, and a full experience built around safety and comfort.

What’s not included:

• the cable car ticket

And here’s the key value point: in summer, the cable car ticket can be included with a Davos Klosters guest card. If you have the guest card, the “not included” part may not matter much. If you don’t, that cost can be the difference between “great value” and “slightly pricey.”

So I’d judge the price this way: if your guest card covers the cable car, you’re mostly paying for the tandem paragliding itself, plus the equipment and guidance. If not, plan for the cable car as part of your budget and you’ll feel better about the total spend.

What to wear for comfort in the mountains

This is one of those activities where clothing choices directly affect comfort, not style. Expect cool outdoor conditions at altitude and at the start point.

Plan on:

• Warm outdoor clothes
• Good shoes (important for the run-and-launch phase)
• Sunglasses for brightness at height

They also recommend you bring your Davos Klosters guest card if available. It’s small, but it can affect whether the cable car ticket is covered in summer.

For fitness: a normal level of fitness is required. You don’t need to be a mountain athlete, but you should be able to handle outdoor movement and standing outdoors in weather. If you’re unsure, think in terms of “Can I handle an active start and outdoor waits comfortably?”

Who this tandem flight suits best

This experience is a strong match if you want:

• a first-time-friendly introduction to paragliding
• a guided flight with an experienced pilot team
• the option to steer yourself or just enjoy the ride
• a private setup with time to ask questions in German or English

It’s also a great fit for people who care about getting good photos without having to operate a camera themselves.

Who should think twice:

• if normal fitness is difficult for you
• if you hate being outside in cold/windy mountain conditions (even with warm clothes, you’ll feel the altitude air)
• if you’re expecting full inclusion of the cable car cost without checking the guest card situation

How to get the most out of your private group flight

Because this is a private group, you’ll get more direct attention than you would on a bigger shared schedule. Use that to your advantage.

A smart approach:

• Ask questions before the cable car ride. You’ll get insight into paragliding and how the pilot decides launch conditions.
• Tell your pilot what you want during the flight: steer more, glide more, or focus on views.
• Pay attention to the wind talk. Even if you don’t know the terminology, understanding the pilot’s logic makes the experience feel safer and more understandable.

And if you’re the kind of person who likes a friendly, competent guide, you’re in the right place. Several people highlighted how organized and kind the guides were, and that matters because it helps you relax at the exact moment you need to be calm for a smooth launch.

Should you book this Davos tandem paragliding flight?

I’d book it if you want a true alpine “wow” that still feels controlled and beginner-friendly. The combo of a cable car climb, wind-checked launch decisions, and tandem guidance with experienced Davos pilots makes it a lot more than just thrill-seeking. Add in the photos and the ability to steer (or not), and the $245 price looks reasonable for what you’re actually getting.

I’d pause if you’re sensitive to outdoor cold/wind or if you don’t want to think about the cable car ticket cost. If you have a Davos Klosters guest card for summer, that’s a real factor in making the whole package feel like a win.

If your goal is to fly like you’re part of the landscape for a short, well-run window of time, this is one of the better ways to do it in Davos.

FAQ

Where do I meet the pilot?

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

How long is the tandem paragliding experience?

The total experience time is listed as 2 hours.

Is the cable car ticket included?

The cable car ticket is not included. In summer, it can be included if you have a Davos Klosters guest card.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes the tandem flight, flight equipment, free luggage storage, and appropriate clothes and shoes if required.

What language will the instructor/pilot speak?

The instructor/pilot team speaks German and English.

Do I need to be fit to fly?

A normal level of fitness is required.

Will I be able to talk to the pilot during the flight?

Yes. You can talk easily to your pilot throughout the flight and tell them your wishes.

Can I steer the paraglider during the flight?

You can steer yourself, or you can choose to simply glide and enjoy the views.

Where will I land?

Your landing site is located in Davos, where the experience concludes.

FAQ

What happens at the summit before the launch?

Your pilot checks the wind situation, then prepares the material and connects you with the apparatus before you launch.