Is the Grindelwald area a realistic base for AFF training?

Yes. Drop zones are 65–85 km away in the Mittelland where weather windows are more consistent. Most students plan their jump days around the drive to Swiss Boogie or DZ47.

How long does the AFF course take?

Most students complete all 8 AFF levels over 3–6 weekends. The full process to licence typically takes one season.

AFF Skydiving Course
near Grindelwald

Q: Do I need experience before starting AFF?

No. AFF starts from absolute zero. The ground school covers everything you need before your first jump.

Learn to skydive solo above one of the world's most iconic mountain panoramas — the Eiger North Face, Mönch, and Jungfrau as your AFF training backdrop.

Find AFF Drop Zones

8AFF Levels

Eiger 3,967 mTraining backdrop

from CHF 3,200Full AFF course

4,000 mExit altitude

AFF Training with the Eiger as Your Backdrop

Grindelwald sits directly beneath the Eiger North Face — arguably the most dramatic mountain setting in Europe. The drop zones serving the Bernese Oberland region use this extraordinary landscape as a backdrop for AFF training, with the 3,967 m Eiger, Mönch (4,107 m), and Jungfrau (4,158 m) filling the horizon during every freefall.

AFF (Accelerated Freefall) is the internationally recognised route to a full skydiving licence. You begin with a comprehensive ground school, then progress through 8 supervised jumps — from dual-instructor assistance in Level 1 to completely solo flight in Level 8. All jumps exit at approximately 4,000 m altitude.

After completing your AFF levels and consolidation jumps, a brief written theory exam earns you the Swiss parachute licence, valid at drop zones across Europe.

AFF Course at a Glance

🏔️Backdrop: Eiger (3,967 m), Mönch (4,107 m), Jungfrau (4,158 m)

🎓Ground school: Full-day theory on body flight, altitude awareness, and emergency procedures

✈️8 AFF jumps: Levels 1–3 dual instructor, Levels 4–8 single instructor to solo

📋Requirements: Min. age 16, max. ~100 kg, good general health

💰Course cost: CHF 3,200–4,500 depending on drop zone and progression

🏅Licence: Swiss parachute licence, FAI-recognised throughout Europe

Drop Zones Offering AFF near Grindelwald

The nearest AFF training centres for Grindelwald and the Bernese Oberland.

Swiss Boogie — Kappelen BE

~65 km from Grindelwald

Switzerland's largest skydiving operation with a long AFF tradition. Large landing area, modern aircraft, and regular AFF intake weekends — a natural base for Bernese Oberland residents.

AFF Info →

Dropzone 47 — Grenchen SO

~85 km from Grindelwald

Full AFF packages with Pilatus Porter PC-6 to 4,000 m. Experienced multilingual instructors and one of Switzerland's most efficient lift operations.

AFF Info →

Your AFF Training Programme

Ground School

Full-day theory covering stable body position, altitude awareness, emergency procedures, canopy flight, and the landing circuit.

Levels 1–3 (Dual)

Two instructors exit with you and maintain contact. Learn to hold a stable arch, check altitude, and execute a controlled deployment.

Levels 4–5 (Assisted)

One instructor accompanies you. Demonstrate turns, forward movement, and altitude discipline — building real independence in freefall.

Levels 6–8 (Solo)

Your instructor follows at a distance. Nail solo manoeuvres and earn your final sign-offs under the Eiger's watchful gaze.

Licence & Beyond

Complete consolidation jumps, pass the theory exam, and join the skydiving community with your Swiss parachute licence.

AFF in Numbers

8AFF Levels

3,967 mEiger summit

55 secAverage freefall

200 km/hTerminal velocity

AFF near Grindelwald — Common Questions

Grindelwald is a spectacular starting point for AFF, though the actual drop zones are 65–85 km away in the Bernese Mittelland where weather windows are more consistent and airspace is more suitable. Most students staying in Grindelwald plan their jump days around the drive to Swiss Boogie or DZ47 — the mountain scenery visible from altitude makes every journey worthwhile.

From the Pilatus Porter or Cessna at 4,000 m exit altitude, you'll look straight at the Eiger North Face, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau. On clear days the Alpine panorama stretches from the French Alps in the west to the Bernese Oberland in the east. This is genuinely one of the most spectacular skydiving views on earth.

No. AFF starts from absolute zero — the ground school covers everything you need before your first jump. A tandem jump beforehand is not required, though many future skydivers choose to do one to confirm they enjoy freefall before investing in the full course.

Most students complete all 8 AFF levels over 3–6 weekends, depending on weather and progression. After the 8 levels you'll need additional solo jumps to reach the minimum of 25 before sitting the theory exam for your Swiss parachute licence. The full process typically takes one season (April–October).

AFF Courses in Other Swiss Regions

Zurich Interlaken Bern Geneva Lausanne Lucerne Basel Grindelwald Lauterbrunnen Zermatt Davos St. Moritz

More Skydiving near Grindelwald

Tandem Skydiving — GrindelwaldFirst jump above the Eiger with an instructor. AFF Course — InterlakenSame drop zones, nearby Interlaken hub. Skydiving Costs in SwitzerlandFull AFF and tandem price breakdown. Skydiving the Swiss AlpsRegional guide to all Swiss drop zones.

AFF Skydiving Coursenear Grindelwald