SWITZERLAND: Tandem Paragliding in Interlaken
I once underestimated the weather in Switzerland. I thought it will be okay doing this because I am not up on any mountains (plus, I didn’t bring far exceed estimation kind of outer layer along). But boy, I was wrong LOL. That day, the weather was not too okay tbh. There was mist, and then drizzling… and then raining. But what we did was… we had signed up a tandem paragliding activity and it is something that one must do when travelling to Switzerland. We only had one slot, one free time where we were able to fly.
For full itinerary, check out 11D10N Switzerland: The Magical Fairy Tale Land
It was an early day out from Luzern to Interlaken on train. Check-in into our stay and waited for our pick up vehicle.
We signed up our flight with SkyWings. Each of us paid about CHF 190 (if I am not mistaken) and that included pick up from the arranged meeting point and a flight. In the case if the weather really doesn’t permit for a fly, they will make a refund to you.
The weather that day was not too good. There was sunshine (a little) in the morning as we stepped into the vehicle. But it was then misty as we moved up to a higher attitude. As we stopped by our flying point, drizzle of rain started. We spent some times waiting inside the vehicle, waiting for the sky to clear a bit and some good sun overtaken the sky.
We were briefed with what to do during pre-, during and post-flight. And my pilot was Steve!
But luck was not with us. We waited for about 15 minutes, sky didn’t clear. Hence, we were moved to another flying spot, slightly lower altitude than the earlier one.
Weather then turned not too heavy. But yes, there were still some droplets. We all went down from the vehicle, walked a little deep into the flying spot. The weather was cold tbh. LOL. As usual, we were underestimated the forever changing weather in Switzerland. People in Switzerland will always say this: there is no such thing as bad weather in Switzerland, but only wrong clothing.
Watching moo while waiting for my flight…
My pilot set up his wings. He then gave me a windbreaker, a helmet, a pair of gloves and a cool spectacle to wear.
There were not many of photo of pre and post fly I found in my gallery because we were busy waiting to be cued to take off. Phone has to be inside the pocket. The flying pilot will capture the photos and video of you flying, and you will get to decide if to keep them later (at a fee of CHF 40).
We waited no longer even though the weather still didn’t turn better. Okay, it got a bit better than earlier with very mild bit of drizzle. My pilot decided to go for it. On the count, by one… two… three… and run and up and I was the first one heading out to the sky, flying.
Here are some bit and pieces of me flying! It was a magical experience flying up in the sky at Interlaken, soaring high as free as a bird. The flight journey is about 10 to 20 minutes (depends on the weather conditions) before landing on the soft grass in the center of Interlaken.
“I have the flight control!”
My pilot left it to me in charge with the flight control, under his instruction on the left on the right and how much to pull. It was quite a cool experience.
Almost landing!
And one after landing!
Note: Do wear more as it can be quite cold and chilly up there. It was end of September 2024 at time I was flying.
