Winter Paragliding over Interlaken

- Glide 10 to 20 minutes from Beatenberg, 1,350 metres up, down to the middle of Interlaken - Take in the snowy Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, with Lake Thun and Lake Brienz on either side - Never flown? Welcome: a licensed tandem pilot steers, you run a few steps and watch the Alps - Warm gear lent free of charge: mountain boots, windproof jacket and ski pants - See your flight on your pilot's tablet right after landing, with photos and videos to keep for CHF 40

A 20-minute drive from Interlaken, and you stand at the Beatenberg take-off with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in front of you, white with winter. Your pilot clips you in and talks you through the start. You run a few steps, the wing fills above you, and the slope drops away. For 10 to 20 minutes you float in cold, quiet air, Lake Thun on one side, Lake Brienz on the other, Interlaken growing beneath your boots. Ask your pilot about a few turns that make you shout. You touch down on the Höhematte, the big meadow in the middle of town, where your friends can watch you land. Right after landing, your pilot shows you the photos and videos on a tablet (CHF 40 to keep them). Never flown before? You are welcome. No experience needed, children from age 5, and AlpinAir lends mountain boots, a windproof jacket and ski pants to anyone who arrives without them.

- Per person: CHF 180, one price for everyone from age 5 - Photos and videos from your pilot: CHF 40, paid to the pilot after landing - Groups: rates on request - The price covers pickup in Interlaken, the van ride to the take-off, your tandem flight, the flight equipment and the warm gear on loan

- Free pickup at central meeting points in Interlaken, Adventure Hostel included - Van ride of about 20 minutes to the take-off at Beatenberg-Amisbühl - Tandem flight of 10 to 20 minutes with a licensed tandem pilot - Take-off briefing, helmet, harness and gloves - Mountain boots, windproof jacket and ski pants on loan, free of charge, if you have none Not included: - Photos and videos from your pilot: CHF 40, paid to the pilot - Your own accident and health insurance, valid in Switzerland - Drop-off after landing: the Höhematte is within walking distance of hotels and both stations

- Warm clothes for the weather and solid shoes. Wear mountain boots and a windproof jacket if you have them, otherwise AlpinAir lends them - Sunglasses against the wind and the winter sun - Your phone, switched on: AlpinAir calls you if the weather changes the plan. It stays on the ground during the flight - A small pocket camera with a fixed lens and a wrist strap, if you want your own shots - A backpack or handbag at most: it waits in the van with your driver. Leave big suitcases at your hotel or in a station locker

- Never flown? You are welcome: no experience needed, your licensed tandem pilot flies the wing - From age 5, with a parent's or guardian's consent - Weight from 25 to 90 kg with clothes on. Early morning and evening flights take 80 kg at most. Under 45 kg or over 90 kg? Ask AlpinAir before booking - You follow your pilot's instructions, walk on uneven ground and run a few steps at take-off - Good health required: tell AlpinAir before booking about any medical condition, injury, recent surgery or pregnancy. No alcohol or drugs before the flight - Every passenger needs their own accident and health insurance valid in Switzerland

- Season: November to March, every day, weather permitting - Departures this winter: 1 November to 10 February, 6 a day from 08:30 to 15:00. 11 February to 10 March, 7 a day from 08:00 to 16:00. From 11 March, 8 a day from 08:00 to 17:15 - Duration: about 75 minutes from pickup to landing, 10 to 20 minutes of it in the air

- Dress warmer than Interlaken feels: the take-off sits almost 800 metres higher, and you sit still in the harness for the whole flight. - Over 80 kg? Choose a midday flight. Early morning and evening flights take 80 kg at most, because the updrafts are weaker then. - Send a friend to the Höhematte: it lies in the middle of town, and they can film your landing from the meadow.

AlpinAir Paragliding GmbH, registered as a company in 2016, organises tandem flights from Interlaken and lists 20 pilots on its team page. Guests rate it 5.0 on Google from more than 3,200 reviews. We picked AlpinAir for winter because it flies all year, lends warm gear and lands you in the middle of town, a short walk from both stations. The activity is organised by AlpinAir Paragliding GmbH, and independent licensed tandem pilots fly each flight. Swiss Local Adventures acts as an intermediary in the name and on behalf of AlpinAir Paragliding GmbH.

*Can you go paragliding in Interlaken in winter? Yes. AlpinAir flies every day when the weather allows, from Beatenberg down to the Höhematte in the centre of Interlaken. Your pilot decides on the day. *Will I be cold? Dress warm: the take-off is almost 800 metres above Interlaken. No mountain boots or windproof jacket? AlpinAir lends them, and your pilot provides the helmet, harness and gloves. *Do I need any experience? No. Your pilot briefs you at the take-off, you run a few steps, and you sit back in the harness for the rest. *Are there age and weight limits? From age 5 with a parent's consent, and from 25 to 90 kg with clothes on. Early morning and evening flights take 80 kg at most. Outside these limits, ask AlpinAir before booking. *Where do we meet? In central Interlaken: Interlaken Ost station 15 minutes before departure, the Höhematte or the Arabshop 10 minutes before, Interlaken West near Migrolino 5 minutes before, or Adventure Hostel and Adventure Guesthouse at departure time. The van cannot wait. *Can I take photos during the flight? Not with your phone: it stays on the ground. A small pocket camera with a fixed lens and a wrist strap is allowed. Your pilot also films in HD, and the files cost CHF 40. *Can I fly in summer instead? Yes. From April to October, see our summer paragliding page: the departures and the price are different.

Paragliding depends on wind and weather, so your pilot has the final say on the day. AlpinAir can delay, move or cancel a flight at short notice, and the take-off point can change with the conditions. If AlpinAir or your pilot cancels before take-off, you choose between a rebooking, subject to availability, and a full refund. If your pilot shortens a flight in the air for weather or safety, you get no automatic refund. Keep your phone on: AlpinAir calls the number you gave when booking.

Cancel more than 48 hours before your meeting time and you get a full refund. Within 48 hours, the full price is due. AlpinAir charges a no-show, a late arrival or a wrong meeting point in full, as a late cancellation. If AlpinAir or your pilot cancels before take-off for weather or safety, you choose between a rebooking, subject to availability, and a full refund. If you stop running at take-off or are turned away because the weight, health or alcohol rules are not met, the full price stays due. Send any cancellation in writing.