Parasailing in Zermatt: Tandem Flight with Matterhorn Views

Launch from the alpine ridge and ride thermals above the Matterhorn.

Tandem thermal paragliding in Zermatt pairs you with a certified pilot for a two-hour flight launching from Riffelberg or Blauherd, where you'll use rising air currents to stay aloft above the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. No experience needed. The pilot handles the flight while you watch for wildlife: ibex, chamois, marmots and birds of prey are common sightings. Available June through September when thermal conditions are strongest. The flight is weather-dependent and fully refundable if conditions prevent takeoff. Mountain railway tickets to the launch point are purchased separately and may be discounted or free if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, PeakPass or valid ski pass.

The experience

You meet your pilot at the base of the mountain railway and ride up to Riffelberg or Blauherd, where the launch site sits above the valley. After a safety briefing and a fit check of your helmet, gloves and flight suit, you'll walk to the launch point and take off into the alpine air. The pilot controls the flight. Your job is to stay relaxed and look around. The thermals (columns of warm air rising off the sun-heated slopes) are what keep you airborne and let you climb higher instead of descending steadily toward landing.

The flight lasts around two hours, though the actual time in the air depends on thermal strength and weather. You'll pass over ridges and peaks with views straight across to the Matterhorn, and the altitude gives you a perspective of the landscape most visitors never reach from the ground. Wildlife moves through these slopes year-round. Your pilot will point out what appears. The landing happens in a designated field, and you'll walk back down or take the railway depending on where you touch down.

Flights run only from June through September, when the sun heats the slopes enough to create reliable thermals. If weather turns or wind picks up on the day you book, the flight is postponed or fully refunded. There's no penalty for cancellation due to conditions. Photo and video packages are optional add-ons if you want to capture the flight. Otherwise, the memory is yours alone.

What’s included

• Safety briefing.
• all equipment including helmet, gloves and flight suit.
• certified tandem pilot guiding the flight throughout.
• access to the launch site at Riffelberg or Blauherd.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 14 Jun 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 19 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Matterhorn Paragliding

Is this one for you?Book this flight if you have at least moderate fitness and weigh no more than 90 kg (200 lbs). The tandem format means the pilot does the work, but you'll need to be comfortable with the physical sensations of flight and able to walk to the launch point. Children from age 4 can fly, though they'll sit with the pilot and need to be old enough to follow safety instructions. The June-to-September window is firm: thermals don't form reliably outside those months, so plan your Zermatt visit around the summer season if paragliding is on your list.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between a thermal paragliding flight and a regular tandem flight?

Thermal paragliding uses rising columns of warm air to stay aloft longer and climb higher, letting you spend more time in the air and cover more ground. A regular tandem flight typically descends steadily from launch to landing. Thermals make extended flights possible, which is why Zermatt flights only run in summer when the sun creates strong lift.

Do I need any paragliding experience to fly?

No experience is required. Your certified pilot handles all the flying. You're a passenger who gets to enjoy the view and the sensation of flight. The pilot will brief you on safety and what to expect before you launch.

What happens if the weather is bad on my booking day?

Flights are weather-dependent and only happen when conditions are safe. If wind, clouds or other factors make flying unsafe, your flight is postponed to another day at no extra cost, or you receive a full refund. Mountain railway tickets are non-refundable if the flight is cancelled, so keep that in mind when you purchase them.

Do I need to buy a mountain railway ticket separately?

Yes, the ticket to ride up to the launch point at Riffelberg or Blauherd is not included and must be purchased at the meeting point. Your pilot will help you buy the correct ticket. If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, PeakPass or valid ski pass, you may get a discount or free transport.

What wildlife might I see during the flight?

The slopes around Zermatt are home to ibex, chamois, marmots and birds of prey. From the air, you have a good vantage point to spot them moving across the ridges and meadows, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.

Can I get photos or video of my flight?

Photo and video packages are available as optional add-ons for 40 CHF per person. Your pilot can also point out good photo spots during the flight if you bring your own camera.