A new giant swing has opened 6,923 feet above the Grand Chamossaire peak in the Swiss Alps, offering thrill-seekers panoramic views of one of Europe's most breathtaking valleys. Known as the BalancAIR swing, the 12-metre-high contraption opened in July 2026 and suspends up to three riders at a 90-degree angle before releasing them into a one-minute free-fall over the Villars ski resort.
Experience and Pricing
The swing soars above the western Swiss valley, with views of snow-capped peaks, rugged mountains, and alpine scenery. Alexandra Henchoz, 37, who tested the swing with her husband and 10-year-old daughter, described a 'pit in [her] stomach' as she dangled face down, but said the anxiety quickly turned to euphoria: 'Once it is happening, it is just incredible. You feel like a bird flying.'
Tickets for a guaranteed time slot cost CHF 8.00 (about £7.35) per person, with 50% of seats available online. The remaining half are kept for walk-in arrivals. For those with a TVGD transport ticket (covering mountain lifts in the Vaud Alps) or a Magic Pass, access to the swing is included. Adult TVGD summer day passes cost CHF 36 (£33). The Magic Pass, offering one-year access, is officially CHF 944.00 (£866.63), but a current deal offers it for CHF 482.00 (£442.50).
Climate Change Response
The swing was introduced partly in response to climate change, as less reliable snow threatens the area's main attraction: skiing. Martin Deburaux, head of the Villars-Gryons-Diableret ski area, told AFP: 'We are really trying to diversify our offering.' He added that the swing 'provides us with a source of attraction that can function independent of snow conditions.'
Deburaux noted that climate change has forced skiers to seek higher ground for snow, and that the swing helps 'conserve jobs, the dynamism and the tourist economy built up around our ski lift facilities.' The swing also aims to attract visitors during shoulder season: the resort draws over 700,000 people in winter, but only 100,000 in summer.
