Welcome to Switzerland
Touchdown in Zurich and our first taste of Switzerland began—89 CHF for a train ticket to Wengen, our destination for the week. We later bought the Bernese Oberland Pass for 8 days for 395 CHF (or 287 CHF if you’re under 25). This would have covered our fare from Bern to Wengen, but it was too late to worry about that – we were on our way to Lauterbrunnen, a dream destination for speedflyers, paragliders, and BASE jumpers alike.
The promise of lift access and flights for all wind directions had us dreaming of a week of pure bliss – And Lauterbrunnen, how you delivered. We were met with zero rain, low winds, 25°C heat, and sunshine every day. It made the hiking tougher, but we couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“Pushing it a bit there boys?” – Our First Flight
We arrived in the valley at 12:30 and by 13:30 we were in Wengen. We checked into the apartment and waited eagerly for the rest of the boys to arrive. Despite a long day of travelling, wasting the day resting up whilst the weather outside looked so glorious was not an option. After dumping our bags, we headed out to “reccy” the Wengen line. That quickly escalated into jumping on the Gondola to get a proper look.
By 17:20, we were facing the classic call: launch, or take the last lift down. Conditions felt windy – but just about flyable. All it takes in moments like this is one person to say it: “I’m flying down,” said Archie. Seconds later, Aaron, Barry, and I were unpacking. Adam, whose prefrontal cortex hadn’t blown a fuse under the surge of adrenaline, refused to let his executive function regress to that of a five-year-old and took the gondola down.
You’d think we would have learned from Garda 11 months earlier (a story for another day involving an olive grove, an unexpected swim, and some very questionable decisions). But excitement has a way of drowning out experience.
The launch itself was smooth. But the moment I crossed the lip of the steep rock face, I hit the worst turbulence I’ve ever experienced. Trimmers shut, clenched cheeks, and a beeline for the LZ.
I lost the SD card the next day in Mürren, but the video is burned in my memory. At one point, after a partial collapse, my R3 looked more like a student skydiving canopy than a speedwing. I’ll never forget the feeling of sudden loss of line tension – followed by an aggressive jolt and the reassuring explosion of the wing re-inflating.
The takeaway: You only get a limited number of moments where you take a handful out of your “bucket of luck.” You’d better hope your “bucket of skill” is full enough to compensate.
After all of us landed safely, a local who had been watching from the ground asked, “Were you pushing it a bit there boys?” And, to be honest, I think that was an understatement. Hindsight is 20:20… You should always account for excitement and adrenaline when assessing conditions – they distort judgment more than you think.
It’s better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
So You’re Planning the Trip?
The “House Rules” (Don’t Skip These)
Before you even think about unpacking, there’s some mandatory admin to keep access open in this high-traffic valley:
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Air-Glaciers Check-in: The valley is effectively a heli-highway. Call +41 33 856 05 60 or email agl@air-glaciers.ch before flying into the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
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The BASE Window: Check the rules on the Swiss Base Association website. At the time of writing, between March 1 and October 31, no flying below BASE exits in Mürren between 08:30 and 14:00.
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Landing Card: Required for landing in BASE landing areas when flying from Mürren. Pay online or in cash at the Horner Pub, Tourist Information, or Alpinebase Hostel.
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Swiss Licensing: Typically IPPI 4/5 + speedflying extension. Always double-check locally.
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No Long Grass: It’s animal feed. Landing here is the fastest way to get the entire community banned.
Line Guide: Männlichen (Wengen Side)
Line 1: North of the Cable Car (Fast Lap)
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Launch: Head north from the cable car along the path until you see a steep grassy slope funneling toward Wengen; commit early and be ready to clear the fence
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Winds: SW to W (a slight headwind helps clear the fence)
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Landing: Wengen near the cable car station
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Lap Time: Under 30 minutes
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Pros: Maximum efficiency; fastest turnaround
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Cons: Fence on launch; downhill landing
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Tip: Stay deep or cross cables early. If unsure about the LZ, exit early and land uphill
Line 2: South of the Cable Car (Easier Launch)
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Launch: More forgiving grassy slope south of the cable car. Walk 5–10 minutes past the Grindelwald Terminal gondola and playground, continue slightly downhill, then back up a short steep incline for a long, forgiving NW/W launch into a slight bowl before the cliff
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Winds: NW to W (also workable in light tail or zero wind)
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Landing: Wengen near the cable car station
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Lap Time: ~45 minutes
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Pros: More forgiving launch profile
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Cons: Extra hike in the heat
Alternative: Landing in Lauterbrunnen.
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Landing: Gravel path southwest of the train station (Land south-to-north due to the gradient.
This flight may not be the most exhilarating, but the views are unreal. You’re no longer looking at the postcard -you’re flying through it. Stay high above Wengen for wall-riding opportunities before dropping into the valley.
Line Guide: Männlichen to Lütschental (Long Run)
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Launch: Either commit off the steep north face or launch west and traverse over the ridge
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Winds: N to NNE (north face) or W-side drop in NWW–SWW
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Landing: Lütschental (short grass)
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Pros: Long, beautiful flight with multiple line options and steep tree-lined features (Exhibit A)
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Cons: Longer lap time
Return tip:
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Route 1: Lütschental → Zweilütschinen → Lauterbrunnen → Wengen → Männlichen
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Faster option: Head to Grindelwald Terminal and take the gondola back up to Männlichen
Line Guide: Mürren to Stechelberg (Mid Launch)
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Launch: Visible in the opening seconds of this video; expect a 30–40 minute hike
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Winds: S to W
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Landing: BASE landing card required
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Lap Time: >1 hour (less if you’re quick)
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Pros: Incredible wall riding and waterfalls
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Cons: Lots of cables; long hike from the lift
Other Options
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Männlichen → Zweilütschinen
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The Hike & Fly “Big 3”: Ostegghütte, Rotallhütte, Silberhornhütte (worthy of its own post)
Conclusion: A Postcard You Can Fly Through
If you’re considering a speedflying trip to Wengen or the Lauterbrunnen Valley, go.
Few places in the world offer this combination of reliable lift access, varied terrain, and progression opportunities in such a compact area. From fast laps off Männlichen to longer valley runs and committing hike-and-fly missions like the Silberhornhütte, the valley allows you to build experience quickly – provided you approach it with respect.
Lauterbrunnen isn’t a beginner playground. It rewards good decision-making, accurate weather assessment, and clean execution. But if you come prepared – with the right experience level, a conservative mindset, and an understanding of local rules – it can be one of the most valuable progression environments in Europe.
Plan your trip properly. Check in with Air-Glaciers. Respect the BASE window. Get the right passes to maximise lift access. Most importantly, give yourself enough time in the valley to pick your conditions rather than forcing flights.
We also had a lot of fun checking out other parts of the valley such as the via ferrata in Gimmelwald as well as the mountain karts and scooters in Grindelwald (honestly, more dangerous than the speedflying). So there is plenty to do on a bad weather day.
When it all comes together – light winds, stable air, and a clean line – the experience is hard to match.
If speedflying in Switzerland is on your list, make Lauterbrunnen a priority.
Disclaimer: This post—and the rest of this website—is based entirely on our personal experience, most of which involves making mistakes and slowly learning from them. We’re not instructors, guides, or coaches, and nothing here should be taken as technical advice or instruction. Always seek professional coaching, mentorship, or supervision before attempting any new technique for the first time.
Share the Stumbles, Celebrate the Wins
Because if there’s one thing speedflying teaches you, it’s that the learning never stops.
If you’ve had similar experiences learning to ski launch—or if you’re just getting started—drop a comment or share your story. Every crash, sketchy inflation, or breakthrough helps others learn too. And if this helped you, check out other posts on the site for practical tips and stories about speedflying, as well as step-by-step guides on how to learn to speedfly.
