A giant swing has opened at 2,110 metres above sea level in the Swiss Alps, offering visitors a new way to experience the mountains while helping a ski resort attract tourists beyond the traditional winter season. The Balanc’Air swing is located on the Grand Chamossaire peak at the Villars ski resort and sends visitors over a dramatic Alpine landscape. The 12-metre-high attraction can carry up to three people at a time and has been designed as part of the resort’s efforts to diversify its tourism offer. As climate change makes snow conditions less predictable, Alpine destinations are increasingly looking for activities that can operate throughout the year.
The swing creates an experience that combines adventure and mountain views. Visitors sit on saddle-style seats attached to a metal structure inspired by an Alpine ibex, before being secured with safety equipment. A system of cables and pulleys then pulls the riders backwards until they are suspended at a 90-degree angle above the platform. When the mechanism is released, the swing moves forward over the valley, creating the sensation of flying above the Swiss Alps.
The attraction has already attracted visitors looking for a new type of mountain experience. Alexandra Henchoz, 37, tested the swing with her husband and 10-year-old daughter and admitted she was nervous before starting the ride. “I had a bit of a pit in my stomach” before being strapped in, she said. However, after the swing started moving, she described the experience as “incredible” and added: “You feel like a bird flying.” Other visitors also highlighted the combination of fear and excitement, with 70-year-old Marc Truffer saying the experience was frightening but that the view afterwards was magnificent.
While the swing offers an adrenaline-filled activity for travellers, its purpose goes beyond entertainment. The attraction is part of a wider strategy by Alpine resorts to reduce their dependence on winter tourism. Martin Deburaux, head of the Villars-Gryon-Diablerets ski area, explained that the resort is working to create more activities that are not linked to snow conditions. “We are really trying to diversify our offering,” he said.
The need for diversification is becoming increasingly important for mountain destinations. Ski resorts across Europe are facing challenges linked to rising temperatures and changing snowfall patterns. Although Villars has experienced strong winter seasons in recent years, the resort is preparing for a future where traditional skiing may become less predictable. The new swing provides an attraction that can continue operating during warmer months and allows the resort to make better use of its mountain infrastructure.
Currently, Villars welcomes more than 700,000 visitors during the winter season, while summer attracts around 100,000 people. The resort aims to significantly increase its summer visitor numbers in the coming years by offering a wider range of activities. Hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor experiences are already attracting visitors, and the Balanc’Air swing adds another reason for travellers to visit outside the ski season.
@tcheucestbeau ⬇️ INFOS ⬇️ 🤩 Envie d'une activité qui mélange fun, adrénaline et panorama à couper le souffle ? 🎢 La Balanc'AIR est une balançoire géante perchée à 2 110 mètres d'altitude, avec une inclinaison pouvant atteindre 90° face au vide… C'est complètement dingue ! 😱🏔️ ❤️ Enregistre cette publication pour ta « to do list ». 📨 Partage-la avec ton binôme d'aventure 🥰 📍 Lieu : La Balanc'AIR – Grand Chamossaire (Villars-sur-Ollon) 🇨🇭 🚠 Accès : Remontées mécaniques de Villars Gryon Les Diablerets (TVGD). 💰 Prix : Gratuit avec n'importe quel titre de transport @TVGD.ch (y compris Magicpass ). 🤩 🎟️ Tu peux également réserver ta place pour 8 CHF afin d'être certain de pouvoir en profiter. 50 % des places sont réservables à l'avance et les 50 % restantes sont accessibles sans réservation. 🎨 Et puisque tu es dans le coin, profite-en pour redescendre jusqu'au Col de Bretaye afin de découvrir les fresques géantes et éphémères de Saype, visibles pendant environ un mois seulement. 😍🏔️ ℹ️ Plus d'informations sur le site officiel de TVGD ou sur Instagram : @tvgd.ch. 👉 Abonne-toi à @tcheucestbeau pour découvrir les plus belles randonnées, activités, hébergements et bons plans en Suisse 🇨🇭❤️ 🎥 Tu es un professionnel du tourisme, de la montagne ou des loisirs et tu aimerais des vidéos comme celles-ci pour mettre ton établissement en valeur ? Contacte-moi en message privé. 🤝 Merci à TVGD pour cette magnifique collaboration 🥰 #TcheuCestBeau #BalancAIR #GrandChamossaire #Saype #Villars ♬ Where The Adventure Begins – Tim Halperin
The development reflects a broader change in Alpine tourism, where destinations are moving from a seasonal model focused mainly on skiing towards year-round experiences. Mountain resorts are increasingly investing in activities that appeal to visitors who want adventure, nature and unique landscapes without necessarily needing snow. The swing also shows how existing ski infrastructure can be adapted to support tourism throughout the entire year.
At the same time, Villars is trying to balance tourism growth with the protection of its natural surroundings. The swing was intentionally placed in an area that was already popular with visitors, while other parts of the resort remain focused on preserving a quieter mountain environment. For Alpine destinations facing changing climate conditions, finding new ways to welcome visitors while respecting the landscape is becoming an increasingly important challenge.
