Winter Hang Gliding in Interlaken: Fly Under a Winter Sky

- Lie flat beside your pilot and fly over Interlaken in the cold winter air - Snow-covered peaks on the horizon, the valley and two lakes below - Take off from Beatenberg after 4 to 8 running steps down the slope - Gentle and scenic, or stalls, dives and wingovers: you choose - Land like a small plane, rolling on wheels in Interlaken - Beginners welcome: your pilot does the flying, and the ride up from Interlaken is included - Flights every day through the winter, weather permitting

Winter changes Interlaken. The air turns cold and clear, and the peaks around the valley turn white. You run a few steps beside your pilot down the slope, the wing takes your weight, and you are flying: lying flat, side by side, with the town and its two lakes spread out below. For 10 to 20 minutes your pilot flies what you ask for. A slow, scenic glide with the snow-covered summits in view, or stalls, dives and wingovers until your eyes water. Ask, and you can hold the control bar for a moment. Then you come in like a small plane, rolling on wheels into a field in Interlaken. Never flown before? Come and fly. Your only job is 4 to 8 running steps, and passengers from 4 to 85 have flown with this crew. Dress warm: you fly in the open air, and our tip is layers, gloves and, if it fits, a hat under the helmet. The ride from Interlaken up to the take-off at Beatenberg, and back after landing, is part of the trip.

- Tandem flight: CHF 260 per person, the same for every age, with pickup and drop-off included - Photo and video package: optional, price on request - T-shirts, hats and gift certificates: on request

- Tandem hang glider flight of 10 to 20 minutes, flown the way you ask - Pilot qualified through the Swiss Hang Gliding Federation - Pre-flight briefing - Hang glider and custom-made harness - Pickup at your meeting point in Interlaken, the ride up to the take-off at Beatenberg, and the ride back Not included: - Photo and video package (optional) - T-shirts and hats - Personal accident insurance: the operator recommends your own - 2.5% processing fee if you pay the operator by card

- Warm clothes in layers, gloves and, if it fits under the helmet, a hat: our tip, since you fly in the open air - Shoes you can run a few steps in - Your exact weight and height: the operator asks for both at booking

- Never flown? Come and fly: no experience needed, your pilot does the flying - Ages 4 to 85 have flown here; under 16 needs a parent's consent - Weight limit: 85 kg in snowy winter, the operator's rule. The booking engine states 90 kg (200 lbs) for the rest of the year. Your pilot checks the weight on the day, depending on the wind - Nervous flyers: ask for the smooth, scenic version before take-off - Heart condition, vertigo or another medical concern? The operator asks you to check with your doctor first - Not suitable for anyone who cannot take 4 to 8 running steps at take-off

- Winter flights: every day, weather permitting - Three departures a day: 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00, as listed in the online calendar - The online calendar currently runs to 12 December 2026. January to March dates are not open for online booking yet: ask us before you plan around them - Small departures: the calendar lists 2 seats per departure in November and December, and closes booking 3 hours before take-off - Snowy winter: the weight limit is 85 kg - Flight: 10 to 20 minutes in the air. Whole trip: most take under 2 hours from pickup to drop-off, allow up to 3

- Ask your pilot about their favourite manoeuvre. The crew page lists names like "The Funky Mosquito" and "The Spiral of no Return". - A grey sky is no reason to cancel. The operator writes that it doesn't have to be sunny for a great flight. - Only 2 seats per departure are listed online, so book ahead, and check the 85 kg limit before you do. - Want proof for the people at home? Ask about the photo and video package when you book.

Bernie, "Birdman Bernie" to his passengers, runs Hang Gliding Interlaken with his family and a small crew. For more than 22 years they have flown one thing: tandem hang gliders over Interlaken, every day of the year according to the operator. Their pilots are qualified through the Swiss Hang Gliding Federation, and their Google listing shows 5.0 from more than 700 reviews. We recommend them because the flight is yours to shape, gentle or wild, even in the cold months. Swiss Local Adventures acts as an intermediary in the name and on behalf of HANG GLIDING INTERLAKEN GmbH.

*Can I really fly in winter? Yes. The operator flies every day of the year, weather permitting. The online calendar lists three departures a day: 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00. *Will I be cold? You fly in the open air, so dress warm. Our tip: layers, gloves and, if it fits under the helmet, a hat. The operator does not publish a clothing list. *Do I need any experience? No. You take 4 to 8 running steps beside your pilot, and your pilot does the flying. If you want, you can hold the control bar for a moment. *Is there an age or weight limit? Passengers aged 4 to 85 have flown; under 16 needs a parent's consent. In snowy winter the limit is 85 kg. Your pilot confirms the weight on the day, depending on the wind. *What if the weather is bad? It doesn't have to be sunny, and Interlaken has few days when the pilots cannot fly. Strong wind, rain or poor visibility can cancel or move your flight, and the operator's terms say a refund may be given. *Can I book for a group? Departures are small: the online calendar lists 2 seats per departure in November and December. The operator asks groups to book at least a few days ahead. *Can I fly in summer instead? Yes. Summer flights, from April to October, are on our summer page, Tandem Hang Gliding in Interlaken.

It doesn't have to be sunny for a great flight, and Interlaken has few days when the pilots cannot fly, winter included. Strong wind, rain or poor visibility can cancel your flight or move it to another slot. The wind also sets the weight limit, which your pilot checks before take-off. For a weather cancellation, the operator's terms say a refund may be provided, without guaranteeing it.

Hang Gliding Interlaken's terms say a cancellation by the passenger may be subject to a fee; the operator publishes no deadline and no amount. If it has to cancel for wind, rain or poor visibility, it can move your flight to another slot, and its terms say a refund may be provided.