One-of-a-kind and thrilling experience!
As a first-timer paraglider I was definitely nervous but the guys and gals working at Twin Paragliding put you at ease. They are each very personable, each pilot has their own personality but each will make sure you feel completely safe. These guys are fun and enthusiastic and that helps you get excited pre-flight but also makes the time in the air that much more exciting.
We met Twin Paragliding by the train station and they have a white van that takes you to the base camp at Interlaken. At base, you'll be fitted with shoes (should you not be wearing durable hiking boots) and after a few quick moments, you'll be back in the van headed up towards the mountain with all pilots in tow.
On the ride up, Peter, who is super sociable, will introduce you to the paragliding experience and describe some of the beauty you'll be witnessing once at the highest point. The ride up alone is pretty breathtaking as the views just keep getting better and better the higher you go. On the van you'll choose which pilot you want to fly with and also sign the invoice papers. Then after about a 20 minute ride, you'll be at the launch point.
On a clear day, its absolutely gorgeous with some snow scattered on the plains but with a clear view of Interlaken. You get set up fairly quickly and your pilot will equip you with the harness, helmet, and gloves. They'll then take some GoPro photos at the launch point and then you're ready to go. Listen to your pilot on how to take off because it can be tricky for first-timers. You'll want to lean forward, run as fast as you can, and run on solid ground because you'll be fighting the pull of the pilot and parachute. No matter what you do, don't stop! Then within a few steps of running you'll be off! It's an unbelievable feeling of flight as the air swoops under your legs and you become light as a feather. The pilot then smoothly swings the seat underneath you and you're in for a real treat.
My pilot Dany had 22 years of flight experience so he operated a smooth ride. There will be points where you do some cool manuevers by catching the right thermals and definitely multiple opportunities to take photos and video.
The whole experience is amazing and you'll be in air for a fair amount of time, definitely enough to see all of Interlaken and try out different flight patterns in air. I would say it takes a little over an hour all said and its worth every penny.
Once you land, you'll head back to base camp and there your pilot will pull up your photos from the GoPro and so you'll be able to review immediately whether you want to purchase the photos. It costs 40CHF and worth it because how many times can you say you were soaring over the beautiful Interlaken?
There are a lot of choices for paragliding in Switzerland. Twin Paragliding definitely felt like the best of the bunch. The pilots are cool and engaging and they all want you to have a great time. Like any lot, some pilots are more to your liking so you can ask ahead if say you want to do more manuvers in the air or you want a pilot who loves to take more photos. Never fear, Twin has a roster of over 20 pilots so you'll be in good hands no matter who you choose.
There are even female pilots for those that feel more comfortable flying with a lady. All said I would recommend Twin Paragliding to anyone. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you want to do it with people who make sure that experience is a great one. read more