Fly like a bird: A tandem paragliding flight with Fly Zermatt

There are experiences one never forgets. A tandem paragliding flight over the impressive mountain world of Zermatt definitely belongs to them. Even just the thought of silently gliding through the air, with a view of the Matterhorn, makes the heart beat faster. It's the feeling of freedom that flows through you up in the air, when only the wind is rushing in your ears and the world below becomes visible in all its detail.

“Paragliding comes closest to flying like a bird,” says Ronnie Schneider, one of the founders of Fly Zermatt. “It often happens that we circle in the sky together with an eagle and benefit from the same thermals.”

Fly Zermatt: That’s Ronnie Schneider, Philip Glutz and Stuart Giles. The three pilots founded their company at a time when paragliding was still largely unknown in Zermatt. What began as a passion is now a fixed part of the tourism offering. “We wanted to share our fascination for flying with others,” says Stuart Giles. “Back then, we hardly dared to dream that we would one day make it our profession.”

Emotions and Views

A paragliding flight is much more than just an exciting adventure. It is a moment that burns itself into memory. When the lines tighten, the canopy slowly fills with air, and you finally take off, a journey begins that is hard to put into words. You watch the mountains pass by beneath you, the glaciers shimmer in the sunlight, and in the distance, the Matterhorn rises into the sky like a silent guardian. “Sometimes I’m overwhelmed myself when I’m floating high up in the sky,” says Ronnie Schneider. “It’s this feeling of freedom that drives us again and again.” And this feeling is what the Fly Zermatt team wants to send home with their guests.

Soaring High

Tandem paragliding in Zermatt offers some truly spectacular launch sites. The Klein Matterhorn is the highest commercially used take-off point in Europe. At 3,883 meters above sea level, the adventure begins here as you glide into the depths together with an experienced pilot. Other popular take-off spots include the Rothorn or the Riffelberg – both offering impressive views of the majestic four-thousand-meter peaks of the Valais Alps.
“In principle, you can start almost anywhere, but we choose places that are easy to reach and offer the best views,” explains Philip Glutz. “It’s all about giving our guests an unforgettable experience.”

Flying for Everyone

And this experience is truly accessible to everyone. Fly Zermatt has already safely guided guests as young as two and a half years old, as well as adventurers aged 94, through the air. “It’s this mix of thrill and pure joy that excites people,” says Stuart Giles, describing the fascination of paragliding. “You can see it on their faces when they have solid ground under their feet again after landing. That disbelieving glow…”

An Adventure That Lasts

Whether adrenaline junkie or calm enjoyer: anyone who has dared to take the leap will never forget these moments. Fly Zermatt has succeeded in making the fascination of flying accessible to everyone. And at the end of the day, it may be precisely this thought that drives the three founders: to let people experience the world from a new perspective. Free like a bird. To see the world from a bird’s-eye view just once, to feel the freedom, the wind in your face. The adventure is waiting.