Your First Tandem Skydive
The complete guide to your first skydive in Switzerland. How it works, what to expect, requirements, costs, choosing a drop zone and insider tips from the Swiss skydiving community.
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Everything a first-time skydiver needs to know – from booking to landing
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What is a tandem skydive?
A tandem skydive is the safest and most accessible way to experience freefall. You are harnessed to a licensed tandem instructor who controls the jump from exit to landing. You don't need any prior experience or training beyond the 20-minute ground briefing on the day. The instructor handles the parachute, the altitude awareness and the landing – you focus on the experience.
From exit at 4,000 metres, you freefall for 45–55 seconds at up to 200 km/h, then the parachute deploys at approximately 1,500m for 5–8 minutes of canopy flight with a panoramic view of the Swiss Alps, lakes and valleys. Total jump time: 6–9 minutes.
Requirements for a tandem skydive in Switzerland
Age: Minimum 16 years. Jumpers aged 16–17 require written parental or guardian consent. There is no upper age limit – jumpers in their 70s and 80s jump regularly.
Weight: Maximum 100–110 kg (varies by drop zone – check before booking).
Health: You must sign a medical declaration. Conditions that may require prior medical clearance: serious heart conditions, epilepsy, recent surgery, severe asthma, or spinal injuries. If in doubt, ask your doctor first.
No prior experience required – tandem is designed for complete beginners.
How to choose a drop zone
Switzerland has five certified tandem drop zones, each in a different region. Choose based on your location and the view you want from the air: the Bernese Oberland (Jungfrau, Eiger – Swiss Boogie in Kappelen), Central Switzerland (Alps, Pilatus, Rigi – Skydive Luzern in Beromünster), Eastern Switzerland (Rhine, Lake Constance, Alps – Skydiving Ostschweiz in Altenrhein), Mittelland (Solothurn region – Dropzone 47 in Grenchen), or Western Switzerland (Jura, pre-Alps – Flying Devil in Les Eplatures).
When to book
Swiss drop zones operate April to October. Peak season is June–August when you have the longest weather window. Book in advance for summer weekends – popular slots fill 2–3 weeks ahead. Weekdays in July/August are easier to get. Shoulder season (April/May, September/October) has shorter queues but higher weather risk.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Swiss drop zones jump weather-permitting. Cloud, wind or visibility can prevent jumping on any given day. All Swiss drop zones offer free rescheduling if conditions prevent your jump. Don't book the day before you fly home – leave flexibility in your schedule. The drop zone will contact you if conditions look bad.
Should you get the video package?
Yes – for most first-timers, the answer is yes. The video (instructor-mounted camera) gives you footage of your facial expressions during freefall, the canopy flight and landing. You won't remember every detail in the adrenaline rush of the moment, and the footage lets you relive it. Costs CHF 60–90 for video, or CHF 80–130 for video + photos. Book it when you book the jump, not on the day.
What comes after a tandem jump?
Many first-time jumpers catch the skydiving bug and want to do it again – or go further. The next step beyond tandem is an AFF (Accelerated Freefall) course, which trains you to jump solo and earns you a Swiss Skydiving licence over 8 levels plus additional jumps. AFF courses are offered at all Swiss drop zones. Cost: CHF 3,200–4,500 for the full course.
The Jump – Step by Step
Exactly what happens from arrival to landing
Arrival, Registration & Waiver
Check in at the drop zone, present your ID, fill in the medical declaration and waiver. You'll be introduced to your instructor and given an overview of the day's schedule.
Equipment & Ground Briefing
Your instructor fits your harness and jump suit, then runs a 20-minute briefing: correct body position (arched back, arms out, legs back), what to do at exit, during freefall and at landing. Simple, memorable, effective.
Wait for Your Flight Slot
You watch other skydivers land, chat with your instructor, and wait for your aircraft to be ready. This is normal – enjoy the atmosphere of the drop zone. The wait can be 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how busy the day is.
Ascent, Exit, Freefall & Landing
Board the aircraft. Climb to 4,000m. Exit tandem with your instructor. 45–55 seconds of freefall at 200 km/h. Parachute at 1,500m. 5–8 minutes of gliding. Standing landing. Done – and already planning your next jump.
FAQ – First Tandem Skydive Switzerland
The questions every first-timer asks
No. A tandem skydive is specifically designed for people with zero experience. All you need is the 20-minute ground briefing on the day – everything else is handled by your licensed instructor.
Tandem skydiving has an excellent safety record when performed at certified drop zones by licensed instructors. All Swiss drop zones operate under Swiss Skydiving regulations, use certified equipment and maintain strict safety standards. Your tandem instructor has made hundreds or thousands of jumps.
Swiss drop zones operate April to October. The best months for reliable weather and clear visibility are June, July and August. Book ahead for summer weekends. May, September and October offer shorter queues but slightly higher weather risk.
You can do another tandem jump on the same day or a future day. Many drop zones allow multiple jumps in one day. If you want to jump solo, the next step is an AFF course (CHF 3,200–4,500), which earns you a Swiss Skydiving licence over 8 levels.
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