Skydiving In Switzerland (Best Jumps)

switzerland skydiving

Want to go skydiving in Switzerland? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you about all the best jumps in the Alpine country!

Where to go, what to expect, and the best season for skydiving in Switzerland are just some of the topics covered in the guide. So, keep reading to learn more about all the best skydiving experiences in Switzerland!

Best Places to Sky Dive in Switzerland

Interlaken

Skydiving
Skydiving

Interlaken is undoubtedly the top location for skydiving. Switzerland has its fair share of beautiful locations for helicopter skydiving, but Interlaken and the region surrounding it are immensely popular for parachute jumps because of the stunning landscapes.

There are five companies that operate skydiving in the Interlaken region, one of which performs parachute jumps out of an airplane. The prices for Interlaken skydiving range from 430 CHF to 690 CHF, with Airplane Skydive Interlaken being the most affordable option. The prices depend on a few factors, including the height of the jump and the precise location.

Skydiving Interlaken takes place above mountains and lakes, and you can choose which views you want to admire while free falling at speeds up to 200 km/h. Most jumps in Interlaken, Switzerland offer views of Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch, plus you get to see the wonderful lakes of Thun and Brienz while ascending.

Zermatt

Aerial shot in Zermatt
Aerial shot in Zermatt

Zermatt is a popular destination for skydiving in Switzerland because of the stunning views of the Matterhorn that you get to enjoy during the ascent and free fall. However, Zermatt is one of the priciest resort towns in the country, and the prices for skydiving are significantly higher than in other parts of the country.

The average cost of a skydiving session in Zermatt is around 800 CHF, which is almost twice the cost of skydiving in Interlaken. Also, that’s just the base price point; if you want photos and videos taken of the experience, a tour of the Matterhorn, or to upgrade your jump, it will cost you extra.

Locarno

Go skydiving in Locarno to enjoy fabulous views of Lago Maggiore and the stunning Swiss Alps. Para Centro Locarno operates a skydiving school in town, and they’re one of the best options in the Ticino region.

It’s possible to skydive with them during the entire year, but you have to book a desired time slot in advance. During the winter season, the jumps take place only on the weekends, but in the summer you can go skydiving every day except Monday.

The starting price for the jump with Para Centro Locarno is 445 CHF, and any add-ons will cost you extra. The jump takes place from an altitude of 4000 meters.

Zurich

Zurich Aerial
Aerial shot in Zurich

If you’re in the Zurich region and you want to go skydiving, contact Skydive Zürich. They’re the only skydiving center that operates tandem and solo jumps in the region, but it’s worth noting that they’re not open year-round. Tandem jumps are only possible in the summer season, and you can check the dates on their website to see when the next available tandem jumps are.

The price for a tandem jump starts at 395 CHF, which is pretty affordable for skydiving in Switzerland. The center operates jumps from a plane, which climbs to an altitude of 3,000 meters, offering sprawling scenic views of Lake Zurich and the entire Bernese Oberland. It’s not the most exciting skydive Switzerland has to offer, but it is the best option in the region surrounding Zurich.

Lucerne

Tandem Skydiving
Tandem Skydiving

You don’t have too many options if you want to go skydiving in Lucerne, but the available options are truly awesome. Skydive Luzern is the best center for skydiving in this region and they offer tandem jumps, solo jumps, and full Accelerated Free Fall training.

Tandem jumps are the most affordable, and the best option for people who just want to experience the free fall. This center also offers a first jump experience, which entails you jumping out solo accompanied by two instructors. They also offer solo jumps, but only for experienced skydivers.

Tandem skydive jumps at this center start at 315 CHF, which is surprisingly affordable. Especially because they offer many additional discounts for groups, youth, and jumps that take place on working days.

Winterthur

Winterthur offers indoor skydiving, which is a fairly unique experience even in Switzerland. The Windwerk Indoor Skydiving center is a great place where you can experience the weightlessness and the rush of the skydiving free fall, without the danger that the original experience entails.

If you’ve never skydived before, this is a great thing to try to see if you’ll actually enjoy it. It also includes the best part of the skydiving experience at a much lower cost, plus it’s even a bit longer than an actual skydiving free fall. The Windwerk center also gives the customers the option to wear VR glasses, so they can enjoy the same views they would if they jumped out of a helicopter or an airplane.

You’ll pay around 89 CHF for two flights (around 60 seconds each), and the more flights you book the cheaper they are. Photos and videos of the experience cost extra, but you only need to pay an additional 20 CHF, as opposed to the 150 CHF you’re asked for during actual skydiving experiences.

Map of Skydiving Locations

Best Time to Skydive in Switzerland

Winter is usually hailed as the best time to go skydiving in Switzerland. The views of the snow-covered peaks of the Alps are absolutely magical, and make the entire experience much more memorable. But it can be very cold in the air, and if you prefer to jump out of helicopters from high altitudes when the air isn’t super cold, you can have an equally great time in the summer.

Keep in mind that weather conditions will impact your ability to go skydiving, so if you’re in Switzerland for a limited time period, make sure to keep track of the weather forecast. Clear skies with minimal wind are the necessary weather conditions for skydiving, so if there’s a chance of rain or strong winds, your jump will most likely get delayed.

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Because of that, if you’re not staying in Switzerland for too long, it’s better to aim for a summer tandem skydive, simply because the weather will be more favorable. Winter weather is unpredictable, and although the winter jumps are absolutely worth it, they’re a good idea only if you have enough time and resources to stay in the country longer.

Skydiving in Switzerland: What to Expect

Couple Skydiving
Couple Skydiving

What does the average experience of skydiving in Switzerland look like? First, you meet up with the instructors and the rest of the group at the previously agreed-upon meeting point. Then you travel together to the place where the ascent will happen, which is usually 20-30 minutes away by car.

Before you can board the aircraft you need to complete ground training. This usually takes around 30 minutes, and during the training session, you’re taught all the basics of a tandem skydive jump – how to enter and exit the aircraft, how to achieve the ideal body position during freefall, how to land safely, etc. Only after you’ve completed the training can you board the aircraft, whether it’s a plane or a helicopter, and start ascending.

It’s worth noting that delays are frequent, so you might be forced to just wait around for the weather conditions to improve or for traffic to clear before you can start ascending. The flight takes about 15-20 minutes depending on how high the aircraft is climbing, and it’s one of the best parts of the skydiving experience. The views of the beautiful Swiss landscapes below you are out of this world, so be sure to look out the windows and enjoy the vista!

When you’ve climbed to the desired altitude, it’s time to jump and experience an amazing adrenaline rush. The freefall lasts around 45 seconds (55 if you upgrade the jump), and the parachuting experience is about 5-6 minutes. The jump alone usually doesn’t take more than 7 minutes, but the total time of the experience is around 3-5 hours.

Cost to Skydive in Switzerland

The total cost of skydiving in Switzerland depends on the location and what you want to be included in the package. If you want photos and videos taken, or even to go on a panoramic helicopter ride preceding the jump, you will need to pay extra.

On average, the cost of skydiving in Switzerland (without the extras) is between 450 and 800 CHF, depending on the location. Skydiving is usually the cheapest in Interlaken because there are multiple companies offering the experience, so they have competitive prices. But if you want to go skydiving somewhere that has only one agency that can take you (like Zermatt), expect to pay a lot more.

Most companies charge you between 150 and 200 CHF for photos and videos taken during the experience, depending on what exactly you want. Just getting your photos taken is more affordable than a Full HD video of the experience, and it’s worth it if you want to have a comprehensive record of the entire experience.

Related Reading

Best Helicopter Rides In Switzerland (For Thrill-Seekers)

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How Safe Is Skydiving in Switzerland?

Tandem Skydiving
Tandem Skydiving

Skydiving in Switzerland is very safe. Statistically, you’re more at risk of getting struck by lightning than of getting into an accident during skydiving, so you really have nothing to worry about.

The tandem skydiving instructors who operate the jumps throughout Switzerland are all professionals, with thousands of jumps under their belts. Accidents are extremely rare, and I wasn’t able to find a record of a skydive going so wrong that someone died in Switzerland.

There is the case of Emma Carey, who jumped from a height of 14,000 feet, and her parachute never opened, but by some miracle, both she and her skydiving instructor managed to survive.

Why does Switzerland get a bad rep for extreme sports accidents, and why is the Lauterbrunnen Valley often called the Valley of Death? That’s because of BASE jumpers, not skydivers. BASE jumping is extremely dangerous and not recommended, as well as responsible for the vast majority of the recorded deaths and accidents during parachute jumps in Switzerland.

Related Reading

BASE Jumping in Switzerland: What You Need To Know

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Frequently Asked Questions About Skydiving in Switzerland

What is the minimum age requirement to skydive in Switzerland?

The minimum age for tandem skydiving in Switzerland depends on the operators. It’s usually 16 years, but in some centers, it is 12 years. It is worth noting that written consent from the parent or guardian is necessary for any minors who wish to experience skydiving in Switzerland.

What might be more relevant is that there are minimum height and weight requirements for skydiving. You must be at least 1.40 meters tall and weigh at least 40 kg, otherwise, you can’t go skydiving. The maximum allowed weight for skydivers in Switzerland is 100 kilograms.

What should you wear when skydiving in Switzerland?

It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes that do not feel very restrictive, so you have a wide range of movement in your harness. If you’re going skydiving in the warmer months, you can wear lightweight t-shirts and shorts. But if you opt to complete a parachute jump in the winter, you should wear thermal layers and long pants.

Closed shoes are recommended regardless of the season.

Can you skydive in Switzerland during the winter season?

Yes, you can absolutely go skydiving in Switzerland in the winter season. The winter months are even considered to be the best time for skydiving because of the impressive views of the snow-covered peaks.

Naturally, it’s all dependent on the weather conditions and in case of particularly bad weather, your skydiving session could get delayed to a different day, or you might be taken to a location with slightly better weather conditions.

What is the highest skydive in Switzerland?

Interlaken offers several skydiving opportunities from a height of more than 13,000 feet (4000 meters), and that’s about as high as it gets. If weather conditions permit, your instructors might sometimes be able to take you even higher; some skydivers have been known to complete jumps from 14,000-15,000 feet in Switzerland.

Just keep in mind that this will cost you. Many agencies will allow you to upgrade your jump to 4,600 meters on the day of – the pilot can’t confirm it earlier because it is dependent on the weather and air traffic. This gets you a freefall that’s about 15 seconds longer, but it will cost you 30-50 CHF more.

Is Skydiving in Switzerland worth it?

If you genuinely enjoy skydiving, then doing it in Switzerland is absolutely worth it. The Alpine country boasts incredible scenery, and witnessing it from above is an amazing experience you’re unlikely to forget. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’re bound to enjoy, and I would say that it’s absolutely worth the higher price.

On the other hand, if you’re not very into it or if it would be your first parachute jump, maybe it’s best to first dip your feet into the water. Skydiving can be a terrifying experience, and if it turns out that you don’t like it very much, you’ll have a hard time enjoying the sprawling views of the incredible Swiss Alps.

Written by Ashley Faulkes
As a twenty-year resident of Switzerland, I am passionate about exploring every nook and cranny of this beautiful country, I spend my days deep in the great Swiss outdoors, and love to share these experiences and insights with fellow travel enthusiasts.

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