59-Year-Old Paraglider Collides with Gondola Cables at Charmey Ski Resort
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On Sunday, August 31, a paragliding mishap at Charmey Ski Resort in Switzerland left a 59-year-old pilot dangling from a gondola cable, prompting a unique rescue operation and forcing a temporary halt to lift operations.
The man crashed around 10:15 a.m., shortly after he launched from the Vounetz take-off site, a popular launch zone for paragliders in the Gruyère region. According to Fribourg Cantonal Police, he strayed from his intended flight path and struck one of the lines of the Télécabine Charmey-Vounetz, an eight-person gondola linking the village and the summit. His wing became entangled, leaving him suspended high above the ground.
A Tangled Rescue
Police described the incident in a statement:
“On Sunday, August 31, 2025, at around 10:15 a.m., a 59-year-old paragliding student took off from the Vounetz launch area in Charmey. For reasons that have not yet been definitively established, he deviated from his route and collided with a cable of the Charmey ski lifts, where he remained entangled. The paraglider pilot had to be rescued by REGA, the Jaun rescue column and the Helicopter Technical Specialists (SSH). Injured, he was airlifted to a hospital. The ski lifts had to suspend operations for an hour to allow the paraglider to be rescued.”
REGA air rescue, a specialized helicopter team, and the Jaun rescue station worked together to safely extract the man. Once freed, he was airlifted to a hospital. Authorities have not yet shared details about the severity of his injuries.
The resort suspended gondola operations for about an hour during the rescue and later announced that the lift would remain closed on Monday, September 1.
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Paraglider Investigation Underway
Swiss investigators are now examining the exact circumstances of the collision. Because the incident involved an aerial transport system, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office has been notified, following standard protocol.
This crash adds to a string of recent paragliding accidents in the Swiss Alps, including a fatal incident on the Breithorn in Valais earlier this summer. Authorities have urged pilots to exercise caution and remain within designated flight corridors.
Charmey
Charmey, tucked in the foothills of the Fribourg Prealps, is a year-round playground. In winter, the resort offers about 30 kilometers of ski runs served by five lifts, including the gondola. In summer, it becomes a hub for hiking, via ferrata climbing, and paragliding. The gondola to Vounetz doubles as both a ski lift and one of the region’s premier paragliding launch points.
After last week's fatal accident on the Matterhorn, we're glad this paraglider was safely rescued without greater consequence.
Sunday’s collision underscores both the popularity, and riskiness, of paragliding, especially in proximity to aerial infrastructure. Stay safe out there, folks!
