![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306661153-9113.jpg\")
\n\t\tIn the words of Nelly Furtado: \u2018I\u2019m like a bird\u2019 (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tIn the words of Nelly Furtado: \u2018I\u2019m like a bird\u2019 (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Calling adventure travellers<\/a> everywhere: if you\u2019re looking for something that will spike your adrenaline \u2014 and provide immaculate views at the same time \u2014 you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n Because a new giant swing has just been installed 6,923 feet above Grand Chamossaire peak in the Swiss Alps<\/a>, capturing panoramic scenes of one of the world\u2019s most beautiful landscapes.<\/p>\n Known as the BalancAIR swing, the 12-metre-high contraption opened earlier this month, and at any one time, suspends three fearless riders at a 90-degree angle.<\/p>\n Then, the seat is released, soaring above the valley in western Switzerland<\/a>.<\/p>\n From there, it\u2019s a one-minute free-fall over the surrounding Villars ski resort, with snow-capped peaks, rugged mountains, and alpine scenery as far as the eye can see.<\/p>\n @alps2alps_transfer<\/a> <\/p>\n Switzerland just built a giant swing that flings you off a mountain at 2,110m \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded The BalancAIR opened in July 2026 at the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars. It seats up to 3, gets winched back to a near-vertical 90\u00b0, then dropped, sending you soaring out over the mountainside, facing a panorama over Lake Geneva. You choose your intensity. Easy access: little train + chairlift, or the Roc d\u2019Orsay gondola + a 20-min walk. Open daily to late October. Would you send it? Follow for more wild alpine thrills \u26f0\ufe0f BalancAIR Villars Switzerland GrandChamossaire GiantSwing Vaud LakeGeneva AlpesVaudoises Adrenaline SwissAlps NewIn2026 Suisse europetravel travel2026 adventuretravel wanderlust bucketlist travelinspo explore mountaintravel<\/p>\n \u266c original sound \u2013 Alps2Alps \u2013 Alps2Alps<\/a> <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n At first, it\u2019s scary even for the most thrill-seeking of travellers. <\/p>\n Alexandra Henchoz, 37, who tested the new swing with her husband and 10-year-old daughter, described a \u2018pit in [her] stomach\u2019 as she dangled face down in the air.<\/p>\n But, the anxiety<\/a> quickly turns to euphoria: \u2018Once it is happening, it is just incredible. You feel like a bird flying.\u2019<\/p>\n How much are tickets?<\/p>\n The BalancAIR attraction is a mind-bending experience with a refreshing price tag.<\/p>\n If you want to guarantee a specific time slot, 50% of seats are available to book online for CHF 8.00 (just \u00a37.35) per person.<\/p>\n The remaining half are kept for walk-in arrivals.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tWin a luxurious stay for two at London hotel The Gore\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t Four-poster beds, gilded mirrors and chandeliers everywhere you look…<\/p>\n Metro has teamed up with Starhotels Collezione to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a luxurious two-night stay worth \u00a3900 at The Gore London, a historic boutique hotel in the cultural heart of the UK capital.<\/p>\n For your chance to win this incredible London getaway, enter your details <\/a>before midnight on Sunday, 9 August 2026. <\/p>\n \nEnter now<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland) residents aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 00:01 BST on 20\/07\/2026 and closes at 23:59 BST on 09\/08\/2026. Entrant must complete the entry form hosted on Metro. 1 prize of a two-night bed and breakfast stay in a Deluxe Room at The Gore Hotel in South Kensington, London for two (2) adults including dinner at the restaurant 190 Queen\u2019s Gate on one night only consisting of a three course meal from the A La Carte menu with one (1) complimentary glass of wine included per person. Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person or per email address. Full T&Cs here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t However, if you already have a TVGD (T\u00e9l\u00e9cabines Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets) \u2014 the transport tickets that cover mountain lifts, scenic cable cars, and alpine trains in Switzerland\u2019s Vaud Alps \u2014 access to the swing is included.<\/p>\n Adult TVGD summer<\/a> day passes cost CHF 36 (\u00a333).<\/p>\n The same goes for the Magic Pass, which offers one-year access across TVGD lifts and associated mountain transport. <\/p>\n The official price is a much steeper CHF 944.00 (\u00a3866.63). But, there\u2019s currently a deal on the website for CHF 482.00 (\u00a3442.50).<\/p>\n The year pass typically runs from May 1 to April 30.<\/p>\n \t\t Extreme travel aside, there\u2019s a more serious concern at play. <\/p>\n While the swing will provide screams of both terror and joy, it was actually introduced in response to climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n As snow becomes less reliable, it compromises the area\u2019s main attraction: skiing.<\/p>\n Therefore, resorts across the Alps have no other option but to get creative with their tourist offerings.<\/p>\n Martin Deburaux, head of the Villars-Gryons-Diableret ski area, told AFP: \u2018We are really trying to diversify our offering.\u2019<\/p>\n He said the swing \u2018provides us with a source of attraction that can function independent of snow conditions.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Deburaux \u2014 who noted environmental changes have forced skiers to seek higher ground for snow \u2014 added that climate change is no joke, both in terms of the planet and the local economy<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018We are looking for substitutes to conserve jobs, the dynamism and the tourist economy built up around our ski lift facilities.\u2019<\/p>\n The swing also hopes to encourage travellers to visit Villars ski resort during shoulder season.<\/p>\n Currently, the resort draws more than 700,000 people during the winter season. <\/p>\n In summer, this falls to just 100,000.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305952821-6990-e1784709390518.jpg\")
\n\t\tStay in an opulent hotel room in London’s most cultural neighbourhood (Picture: Jack Hardy)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306661063-895b.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s not for the faint-hearted (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306661155-f8ef.jpg\")
\n\t\tIf you can stomach it, the views are unmatched (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
\nA bittersweet affair<\/p>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306675282-7cec.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe idea is to encourage travellers to visit the Swiss Alps in summer (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n
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