04.08.2017

Grindelwald-First opens Switzerland's first Eagle Glider

The adventure mountain of Grindelwald has added another adventure. The First Eagle Glider was opened today on Friday, 4 August, 2017 at just under 2,000 metres above sea level. The flight attraction is unique in Switzerland.

The rapid flight with the First Glider soars like an eagle from Schreckfeld station up to First and back again. With speeds of up to 83 km/h, four people can fly through the air like a hang glider. On Friday, 4 August 2017, the CEO of Jungfrau Railways, Urs Kessler, opened the new attraction at Grindelwald-First, together with President of the Grindelwald municipality, Christian Anderegg, the president of Grindel mountain community, Fritz Schlunegger, and the CEO of Firstbahn, Marco Luggen. The Austrian manufacturer Fred Rodlsberger and his team were also present. The invited guests and the media then had a test run on the 800-metre flight adventure. Urs Kessler was enthused after the first attempt: "An incredible adrenaline rush, I'm already addicted to the glider."

Faster than all others
With the new attraction on First, Jungfrau Railways is responding to the steadily increased demand for activities on their adventure mountain. The First Glider runs parallel to the existing First Flyer, with guests distributed over both. The attraction from Austria is the first ever in Switzerland. There are only eight other installations of this type worldwide. Compared to its rivals, the First Glider impresses with its above-average high flight speed of 72 km/h uphill and 83 km/h downhill. From Saturday, 5 August 2017, it will be available to all adventurers aged 10 years and up and at least   130 cm tall, all year round. A flight costs 29 francs for adults and CHF 22 for children (not including train ride).

Fully integrated
A drive building and operating building were built on Schreckfeld for the construction of the Glider. On First, only a corner post was necessary for the installation. The facility runs parallel to the First Flyer and the aerial gondola, so it's fully integrated into the landscape. Construction of the First Glider took two months. Project costs amounted to approximately 1.5 million Swiss francs. With the new offer, Jungfrau Railways is strengthening the positioning of Grindelwald-First as "Top of Adventure". At the same time, the existing range of experiences from First to Grindelwald with the First Flyer, Mountain Carts and Trotti-Bikes, is now even more varied with the First Eagle Glider.  

Technical details on the First Eagle Glider

Flight length:                  800 m

Difference in altitude:     220 m

Descent:                     23 m/s (83 km/h)

Ascent:                   20 m/s (72 km/h) Special design

Capacity:                  4 persons/trip; approx. 60 - 70 persons/h

Target group:                from 10 years of age, at least 130 cm tall

Operation:                      Summer & Winter, -15 °C to +50 °C, up to 55 km/h wind speed