Skydive Interlaken

Skydive Interlaken is a skydiving center in Switzerland's Jungfrau Region that runs its own tandem helicopter skydives with its own tandem masters, and sells scenic helicopter flights flown by partner helicopter companies. The company, Skydive Interlaken GmbH, is based at Mittelweg 11, 3812 Wilderswil, next to Interlaken, with a second office at In der Ey 183, 3822 Lauterbrunnen. Jumps land at three dropzones: Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen (at the Air Glaciers Lauterbrunnen Heliport) and Grindelwald, at the bottom of the valley beneath the Eiger North Face. The homepage calls it "The only Skydiving Center in Interlaken," and prices are in Swiss francs.

The skydives

The site says "We jump exclusively from a helicopter," and that every skydive begins with a scenic helicopter flight: from Interlaken over Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and from Lauterbrunnen through the valley of waterfalls. Only 2 tandems fit in one helicopter, according to the about page, which also argues that a hovering helicopter takes the pressure off the exit: "Take your time, and jump when you are ready." The blog adds that jumpers can extend the scenic part of the flight with a «PLUS» option at booking, and the footer links to a myclimate page.

The Helicopter Skydive Interlaken, billed as the most popular jump and "the only one available above Interlaken," goes from about 14,000 feet (4,000 meters) with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The listing gives a duration of 2 to 3 hours, a capacity of 12 per time slot, daily availability "weather permitting," and a price of CHF 490.00. The Eiger Jump from Lauterbrunnen, which the blog describes as a flight to the summit of the Eiger before a jump from 14,500ft (4300m) in front of the North Face, is listed at CHF 690.00 with a capacity of 12 per day, "on request more possible." The Helicopter Skydive Lauterbrunnen, from up to about 14,500 feet, is listed at CHF 540.00. The menu also shows an Eiger Jump from Grindelwald, a Jungfrau Jump from Lauterbrunnen, the Eiger Mountain Swoop tandem, a High Altitude Helicopter Skydive, an airplane skydive, a Personalised Skydive Experience, an Ultimate Adventure Saver package and solo skydiving for licensed jumpers.

The FAQ answers the practical questions. Freefall lasts "around 45sec" depending on body size, and the parachute ride "about 5 to 8 minutes." The site says every rig has a reserve parachute and an Automatic Activation Device, that "All our tandem masters are licensed," and that guests sign a release of liability before jumping. The listings set a maximum guest height of 195cm and a maximum weight of 100 kg, and the FAQ adds two sets of limits, 90.0 kg with a BMI of 27.5 or less, and 100.0 kg with a BMI of 30.0 or less, without saying which applies to which jump. The company says it "reserves the right to refuse to allow a client to make a jump if there are safety concerns." Photos and video can be added on the day with no prebooking, but personal wrist or helmet cameras such as GoPros are not allowed.

Scenic flights

For "those who want a helicopter flight" without jumping, the scenic flights page lists two options. The Helicopter Scenic Flight from Interlaken (Gsteigwiler) is flown with partner Swiss Helicopter Gsteigwiler, lasts about 20 minutes in the air within a 1.5-hour visit, passes the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and the Eiger Mittellegi Ridge, takes 5 persons per helicopter, has a minimum age of 3 years and costs CHF 295.00. The Lauterbrunnen flight is flown with Air Glaciers, lasts about 13 minutes and costs CHF 220.00. The FAQ says scenic flights run year-round, that there are "Generally not" any weight or height restrictions, and that the minimum is 3 participants: single bookings may be combined with others, and a private flight is possible by paying for 3 seats. Guests meet the pilot at the heliport.

On the day and booking

The FAQ says pick-up is free from Interlaken hotels or the train station ("but only from Interlaken"), and for Lauterbrunnen departures from the train station or at the Lauterbrunnen office; from Wilderswil station the Interlaken office and dropzone are a 7-minute walk. It suggests sneakers and casual clothes in summer, and a windstopper and gloves in winter, with a jump suit, goggles and gloves supplied. Payment by most credit and debit cards or cash is accepted.

The site asks guests to book online a few days ahead because slots are limited and walk-ins cannot always be accommodated. On weather, it says "If rescheduling is not possible, you will receive a full refund," and the FAQ adds that the deposit is refunded if the company decides not to jump because of bad weather. It recommends booking early in a trip to leave room to reschedule. Licensed fun jumpers can buy the free seat on a tandem load for CHF 95.00 with at least 500 jumps, a B-Licence and Swiss-valid insurance. Contact is +41 33 222 58 48, +41 79 588 90 00 or info@skydiveinterlaken.com.

The team

The team page names owner and tandem master Christian Zumbrunn, from Grindelwald, skydiving since 2004 and speaking German, English and some French, and founder Beat Schweizer, whose first jump was in 1976 and who speaks German, English, French and Spanish. Other tandem masters come from Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, the US, Scotland and Australia.

What the site leaves open

The site does not state its cancellation terms for a change of plans by the guest, as opposed to weather, and it does not give the deposit amount. The prices for the Grindelwald, Jungfrau and High Altitude jumps and the photo and video options are not shown on the site's pages that list them. The scenic flights are flown by the partner companies, and the blog says the skydive flights use "the same helicopters," but the site does not spell out the arrangement between Skydive Interlaken and its helicopter partners.

Who this suits

Skydive Interlaken suits visitors to Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald who want a first tandem skydive with a helicopter ride over the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau built in, and families or non-jumpers who want a short, published-price scenic flight. The height, weight and BMI limits mean some travelers will not qualify for a jump, so they are worth checking before booking.