If tandem paragliding is on your adventure bucket list and you are trying to talk yourself into it, consider this your sign. These 15 tips cover everything you need to know before you go—what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of every minute in the air so you land wishing you could go straight back up.
Signing up for tandem paragliding is honestly the hardest part. Once Chris booked our guides on Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland, there was no backing out—which was exactly the push I needed. And the moment we were airborne? No worries. My guide pointed out rock formations in the Alps below, snapped photos I could never have taken myself, and even let me take the controls for a bit. It turns out that soaring over Switzerland with a trained professional is significantly less terrifying than it sounds.
15 Essential Tandem Paragliding Tips You Need to Know
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These 15 tips cover everything a first-time tandem paraglider needs to know—from choosing a reputable company and checking your insurance to what to wear, how to land, and why you should absolutely not have a drink beforehand. Some are practical, some are safety-critical, and a few you would never think to ask about until you are already standing on the edge of a mountain. If paragliding is on your adventure bucket list, consider yourself ready to launch.
1. The First-Time Paraglider Should be Mentally Prepared
A couple of months before an anniversary trip to Italy and Switzerland, I happened to mention to Chris that I might, possibly, would maybe consider paragliding with him from Mount Pilatus above Lucerne, Switzerland.
Chris ran with the idea and promptly began to research and find a reputable tandem paragliding company. He made reservations for the both of us before I had a chance to change my mind!
My mental preparation strategy was simple: I did not give myself time to think or be nervous about being a first-time paraglider. At all.
On the morning of our epic adventure, Chris and I met up with Marcel and Werner, our tandem paragliding guides. For me, NOT dwelling on the idea of running toward the edge of a mountain and jumping off was my best mental preparation.
It reminds me of that scene in We Bought a Zoo—the whole message boils down to needing just a short burst of courage, a few seconds of feeling embarrassingly brave, to make something amazing happen. Consider it your mantra before takeoff. Turns out, there was nothing to worry about and my flight with Marcel was awesome. I even got to steer the glider!
2. Check Your Insurance to Ensure You Are Covered for Extreme Sports
Standard travel insurance almost never covers paragliding—it usually falls under the same hazardous sports exclusion as skydiving and bungee jumping. Before you book, check your policy for a hazardous sports rider, or look into a supplemental plan that covers extreme sports specifically. It is an easy detail to overlook when you are excited about a trip, but it is the one you will be glad you did not skip.
3. Choose a Reputable Company
Chris and I chose to paraglide with FREEMINDS Paraglide. Their pilots are all professionally trained and certified under the guidelines of the Swiss Hang Gliding Association and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation. Their equipment is inspected and certified annually, the team is insured through the Swiss Hang Gliding Association, and between all of they guides, they have logged thousands of tandem flights.
As with any adventure or excursion, do your due diligence!
- Ask for recommendations.
- Conduct research online.
- Read through online reviews.
Your safety always comes first.
4. Plan a Tandem Paragliding Experience
There are many destinations that offer tandem paragliding adventures around the world. Not sure if paragliding is offered where you will be visiting? Do a little research. You can always search for paragliding excursions on Viator to see if there is an epic adventure offered.
5. Trust & Listen to Your Paragliding Tandem Guide
If you are a first-time paraglider, you may be wondering, “Is paragliding safe?”
The short answer is yes, especially once you have already vetted your company and confirmed their certifications, as covered above. From here, it comes down to trusting the person strapped to your back.
Listen carefully to your tandem guide. You should be able to watch them lay out and set up the paraglider before your flight. Once they are ready, they will walk you through:
- How to take off, i.e., when they say “RUN,” you run.
- Landing procedures.
- How to maneuver the paraglider.
Pay attention, and if you are unsure about anything, ask.
6. Your Guide Will Bring All of the Necessary Paragliding Equipment
Your guide will come prepared with all of the paragliding equipment that you will need:
- A paragliding canopy or wing.
- A harness.
- A reserve parachute.
- A helmet.
- A radio.
- A pair of gloves.
- A variometer device for indicating an aircraft’s rate of climb or descent.
- An extra jacket or two, if needed.
- A GoPro to take pictures and record portions of your flight.
7. Wear Sunglasses
As with any outdoor adventure, sunglasses are essential—and at altitude, the sun hits differently. UV exposure climbs the higher you go, and wind at speed will have your eyes watering without them. Polarized lenses help cut glare off the lakes and peaks below, so you can actually take in the view instead of squinting through it. One tip from experience: bring a strap or retainer to keep your sunglasses secured to your face. Watching a good pair disappear into the Alps mid-flight is not how you want the story to end.
Gear Recommendation: Ray-Ban Sunglasses
8. Wear Closed-Toed Shoes
This is primarily a safety issue, and secondarily a warmth issue. Your guide will not want your Birkenstocks impeding your run off the mountain or fumbling your landing. Sandals and flip-flops are even riskier, since they have a much higher chance of falling off mid-flight, turning into a hazard for you and anyone below.
Gear Recommendation: ASICS Trail Shoes
9. Wear Pants & Long Sleeves
Even on the most beautiful day, temperatures drop at higher altitudes, and you will feel the wind—that wind is exactly what makes paragliding possible in the first place. Pants and long sleeves keep you warm and protected as you soar above the earth.
Even on a warm summer day, pants are recommended. Being prepared helps you enjoy your tandem paragliding flight to the fullest.
10. Wear a Warm Jacket
Dress appropriately for the weather, and do not assume ground temperature tells the whole story. Even on a warm day, you will be significantly cooler once you are soaring through the sky, so pack layers.
Chris and I did not bring puffy jackets for this end-of-summer trip and definitely could have used the extra warmth while paragliding. Thankfully, our guides had extra jackets on hand for exactly that reason.
11. Make Sure Your Weight Meets the Minimum Standards for Paragliding
Weight limits exist for paragliding, and they matter. They are critical to a safe takeoff, flight, and landing, since your weight directly affects your guide’s ability to control the paraglider.
You will be asked to share your weight before you fly.
The tandem paragliding weight limit for the passenger ranges between 242 – 264 pounds (110 – 120 kilograms). This allows for a combined maximum of 485 – 529 pounds (220 – 240 kilograms) for the pilot, the passenger, and any equipment being carried.
12. Do Not Take Drugs or Drink Before Your Flight
Drugs and alcohol are not a good mix with paragliding. They impair judgment, dull your reflexes, and mess with your coordination—exactly the things you need intact when your pilot needs you to follow instructions quickly. Even as the passenger, your response time matters. Flying under the influence puts both you and your guide at unnecessary risk.
13. Stay Calm & Enjoy the Experience
Take a deep breath, run fast, and let the mountain do the rest. Will you be nervous as a first-time paraglider? Maybe. That is okay.
Paragliding is safe and exhilarating when done correctly, and these paragliding tips are here to help you embrace the adventure. You will get stunning views, the wind in your face, nature all around you, and a few minutes of flying like a bird.
14. Legs Out Straight on the Landing
If you look closely at the tandem pack in the photo above, you will notice it comes with substantial padding built in to soften your touchdown. Even so, your guide will most likely ask you to put your legs out straight as you come in, to help you both land smoothly.
15. Be Flexible—Your Flight is Dependent on the Weather
Your flight depends entirely on the weather. Your guide will be watching wind and conditions closely right up until takeoff, and if conditions are not right, they will not hesitate to delay or reschedule.
What To Do With Your Belongings
Chris and I spent the night at Hotel Pilatus Kulm before our paragliding experience. Wondering what we did with our luggage and backpacks? We left everything with the clerks at the reception desk on Mt. Pilatus, and they sent our gear down on the gondola for us to pick up once we landed. Cool, right?
Once we landed in the field next to the gondola at the base of the mountain in Kriens, Marcel walked with us to show us where to retrieve our luggage.
Check dates & availability at Hotel Pilatus Kulm
Your experience will obviously be different, but there should be accommodations made for your belongings while you are in the air. If you are not sure what those are, do not be afraid to ask.
Who Should Not Paraglide
Certain medical conditions are typically incompatible with an extreme sport such as paragliding. This can include people who have:
- Heart problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Epilepsy.
- A weight outside the limits covered above.
- A pregnancy.
Unsure if tandem paragliding is the right adventure for you? Be sure to consult your medical professional. Their advice supersedes any information I share here!
Epic Adventure Destinations for Paragliding
Paragliding conditions vary a lot by location, but these destinations are consistently ranked among the best in the world for it, offering reliable wind, stunning scenery, and experienced operators.
- Interlaken, Switzerland
- Pokhara, Nepal
- San Gil, Colombia
- Oludeniz, Turkey
- Valle de Bravo, Mexico
- Canoa Quebrada, Brazil
- Gudauri, Georgia
Check the link below for tandem paragliding opportunities at your next destination around the world.
Search ➜ Paragliding Adventures with Viator
Frequently Asked Questions
Is paragliding safe?
Yes. Tandem paragliding is considered a safe activity when conducted with a certified, reputable company. Most incidents result from pilot error or poorly maintained equipment, both of which are minimized by choosing an experienced, well-reviewed operator.
How fast are you going when you paraglide?
Tandem paragliding flights typically travel between 15 and 25 miles per hour (24 and 40 kilometers per hour) though speed can increase during descents or when catching strong thermals.
Do you wear a parachute while paragliding?
Yes, tandem paragliding setups include a reserve parachute in addition to the main wing, providing an extra layer of safety in the rare event of an equipment malfunction.
Can I bring my phone with me?
Most tandem paragliding companies allow passengers to bring a phone, though it should be secured with a strap or zipped pocket to prevent it from falling during the flight. Policies vary, so it is worth confirming with the specific company beforehand.
How long does a tandem paragliding flight last?
A typical tandem paragliding flight lasts between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on wind conditions, altitude, and the specific location.
Is there a weight limit for tandem paragliding?
Yes, tandem paragliding passengers generally need to fall between 242 to 264 pounds (110 and 120 kilograms), though exact limits vary by company and pilot.
What should I wear for tandem paragliding?
Closed-toed shoes, long pants, and layers appropriate for cooler temperatures at altitude are recommended for tandem paragliding.
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Sometimes You Just Have to Jump
Paragliding is a thrilling adventure that works for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. Tandem flights let you soar through the sky and take in scenery you would never see any other way, while your skilled pilot focuses on keeping you safe. Follow your guide’s instructions, and the experience practically takes care of itself.
You might say that paragliding is one of the best ways to see the world! Chris and I loved our experience soaring over the Swiss Alps. I’m not sure if Chris was quite as apprehensive as I was before our paragliding experience, but we were both enthusiastic about paragliding once we landed.
If this is an adventure you have been considering, take the leap. Create the memory. Experience the magic of flight. Ready to gear up before your own flight? Check out my Amazon Storefront for everything from sunglasses to warm layers.
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I have never done it but have it in my bucket. Love your tips and thanks for sharing!
Amazing!! Good for you! I have tandem paragliding on my list of things to to while in Lima Peru. Now I’ll be much more prepared!! Great tips!!
Paragliding over the Alps sounds so interesting. And of course an incredible way to celebrate a milestone anniversary. Thanks for putting together this FAQ for first timers
Your post brought back great memories of all the skydiving I did at one point in my life. But even having done over 150 skydives, I am tempted every time I see a paraglider. I love all the different places you can go for a great paragliding experience around the world.
Super inspiring, I hope to do this one day! I bet paragliding over the Alps or in Nepal is incredible!
I tried paragliding over Malibu in California. Was an amazing experience! I can’t wait to do it again.
Are there any international organizatons that certify paragliders or paragliding companies (as there are for scuba diving and other such activities)?
Thank you.
I’ve never tried paragliding, though always loved watching those paragliding over the Swiss Alps.
Squeeee this looks flipping epic! I would love to try Paragliding so sooo much, especially somewhere so flipping pretty. This appeals so much more than bungee jumping to see the views and really enjoy the experience.
Cool that you went paragliding. I myself have no desire to go paragliding and it sadly isn’t an option for my husband physically. The views must be spectacular!
What a great in depth guide to this! I’ve always been a little too scared, but maybe my New Year’s resolution should be to trying it out!
Well done. MANY years ago I jumped out of an airplane. But now in my sixties not sure this is on my bucket list. But it sure looks like you had fun.
Love this adventurous spirit! Looks so much fun and great prepping info here!
What an adventure! I have it on my bucket list, but I’m a bit scared to do it! It must be epic to paraglide over the Alps!
This sounds like such an amazing time! I’m not sure if I’d be too scared or not but tempted to try 🙂
What a fantastic read! I’ve always been curious about tandem paragliding, and your tips made the whole experience feel much less intimidating. I especially liked how you shared practical advice alongside your personal experience. Thanks for creating such a helpful guide—it’ll definitely be useful for first-time flyers. Looking forward to reading more of your adventures! 😊