Matterhorn Paragliding — Attraction in Zermatt

What an incredible experience! TLDR; do it! And if you’re reading reviews trying to figure out which company to go with, stop overthinking and just book with Matterhorn Paragliding!

I had been staying in Interlaken and last minute decided to spend the day in Zermatt since the weather in Interlaken had been rainy every day. I did very little research and last minute booked Matterhorn Paragliding online late the night before - a very smooth and easy process. By early morning the next day, Larissa reached out via WhatsApp and she was incredibly kind and communicative, and we also ended up moving up my time slot since the wind would be better. Larissa helped me figure out everything - from getting better shoes to finding my way from the train to my rendezvous with Bruce at the top of Gornergrat. She was very quick to respond and keep up communication to make sure I knew all the next steps. Then I met Bruce, who was very kind, calming, and knowledgeable. This was my first time in Switzerland and my first time paragliding. I felt extremely safe, Bruce took his time explaining things to me and setting everything up, which was also very cool to see how it all works. The closest thing I can compare to this is when I did a hot air balloon last year in Segovia. That experience wasn’t the best, I never got my photographs from the experience, and it simply felt like a business transaction and not an experience of a lifetime. Meanwhile, the Matterhorn Paragliding experience with Larissa and Bruce was the complete opposite. It didn’t feel like just a business transaction, but instead a life-long memory I will fondly look back on. Immediately after landing, Bruce transfers every photograph and video from the GoPro straight to your mobile phone. No fuss, no hoops to jump through, no begging or emailing or waiting. You get everything that was captured, immediately! Very much worth the extra photo and video package. The bar has been set extremely high and I cannot wait to paraglide again in the future all thanks to such an amazing experience with Matterhorn Paragliding.

My one tiny note for the team - it would be incredibly cool to have a video of takeoff from a distance from someone standing on the mountain. I was solo-traveling so I didn’t have anyone to see me takeoff or land, but this would be very cool extra POV to have. Thank you, Matterhorn...

I’m not a thrill-seeker. In fact, one of the reasons I don’t ski anymore is because I think it’s frightening (and I’m horrible at it haha). So, my friends and family were shocked when I told them that I had booked a trip to paraglide. Though I thought it sounded a little scary, I also thought it sounded exhilarating and was excited for the opportunity to see the Alps and the town from a unique angle as a non-skier.

Before the trip, the company sends a message to wear mountain/snow boots, warm clothing, and sunglasses. My beanie was a little too bulky and gloves too thin, so they kindly let me borrow a thin liner beanie to wear under the helmet and some ski mittens. These are items I would bring myself in the future, though theirs were perfectly fine, too. They also provide a thin gator as a souvenir to wear around your neck and to pull up over your face in case your face is chilly during the flight.

Meeting and prepping for the flight was a piece of cake - Joel, my pilot, was reassuring and reviewed every step as we ascended to our take-off spot. Do wait to purchase any lift/funicular passes until they meet you there to ensure you are buying the proper ticket(s).

The view from the take-off area was spectacular! And I think this was a nice distraction from the nerves of take-off. But, honestly, the launch was so easy, smooth, and quick, there was no need to be scared. No free-falling - just a gentle lift off the curve of a steep hill.

Once you’re up in the air, the view and feeling of gliding above the valley, town, and skiers was breathtaking. Joel pointed out several natural features, and we even saw some mountain goats!

Even though he had to have taken hundreds of flights, Joel seemed excited and joyful with me. He gave clear instructions and was calm through the entire experience.

Overall, I found paragliding to be invigorating, and I would 10/10 do it again with Matterhorn Paragliding.

Oh, and go ahead and save yourself the time to book the photo/video package beforehand - you will...

What a wonderful experience this has been for our whole family. We all felt instantly at ease and in safe hands when we met Alan and his team. Alan kept us laughing and entertained all the way up to the top of the mountain and despite having to carry additional weight he provided me with the most comfortable cushioned seat possible, so much so that when we were up in the air I felt as though I was sitting on a sofa it was so comfy. There was not a single moment where I felt scared or got the impression that Alan wasn’t in control. He explained the workings of the paraglide and even let me steer it for a little while. He has a lot of knowledge about the area and environment and kept explaining things as we were gliding through the air, it was really interesting. Once we were near the landing point he asked me if I wanted to do some acrobatics in the air which is the equivalent of going on a rollercoaster only 100 times smoother and more thrilling. The effort that goes into taking us up there and getting us down safely is extraordinary, but they make it look so easy and effortless and provide immense fun. Therefore I’d like to say another massive big thank you to Alan for an amazing time - you are brilliant, to Larissa who communicated with us and kept us in the loop all the way up to the big day and to all the other pilots who were absolutely fantastic too. I hope that one day we can come back and do it all over again! ...