Val di Fassa, cradle of champions: Jimmy Pacher
How a valley in the Dolomites shaped one of the Alps’ most popular two-seater paragliding pilots
A flight that starts from the roots
There is a particular magic that can be felt when you take off from the Val di Fassa with the unmistakable peaks of the Dolomites behind you. The profile of the Catinaccio, the Sassolungo boulder, the Dolomite towers that change color with the enrosadira at sunset: this is the natural theater where Jimmy Pacher learned to fly, honed his technique, and built an experience that today makes available to anyone who wants to experience the thrill of two-seater flight in one of the most spectacular environments in Europe.
FassaFly was born precisely from this merger: an area of excellence like the Val di Fassa and a driver who grew up in that valley, competed and found his calling. Jimmy Pacher’s story is, in many ways, the story of a mountain community that made paragliding a true cultural, sporting, and tourist expression. Understanding who Jimmy is means understanding why a flight with FassaFly isn’t simply a bucket list activity, but an authentic experience born from a deep love for these mountains.
Between the valleys of Trentino – from the Val di Fassa to the Val di Fiemme, from the nearby Val Gardena to the highlands looking towards Canazei and Campitello – paragliding has found exceptional aerodynamic conditions. Stable temperatures in summer, northerly winds channeling between the rock faces, privileged take-off altitudes, and safe landings at the valley floor: all contribute to making this area a prime location for alpine free flight.
The Dolomites and paragliding: a thousand-year-old union
The Dolomites are not only one of the most photographed landscapes in the world, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site since 2009: they are also one of the most beloved stages for paragliding pilots of all levels. The geological conformation of these massifs, with their vertical walls alternating with vast plateaus, creates unique thermodynamic conditions. During the middle hours of the day, columns of warm air rise along the south- and east-facing slopes, offering experienced pilots climbs that can easily exceed a thousand meters in altitude.
The Fassa Valley in particular, thanks to its orientation and the presence of rapidly warming limestone slopes, has been a favorite destination for alpine free flight for decades. Pilots who come from all over Europe to fly in this area find not only ideal conditions, but also a level accommodation and logistics infrastructure that makes the experience complete. From ski lifts that allow you to easily reach take-off altitude, to well-maintained landing meadows at the valley floor near Canazei and Campitello, everything is designed for those who love to fly.
It is no coincidence that the Val di Fassa and surrounding areas such as Val Gardena and Val di Fiemme have produced internationally renowned pilots over the years. The free-flight competitions that take place regularly in this area attract athletes from all over the continent, and the local flight school boasts a serious and rigorous educational tradition. It is in this context that Jimmy Pacher took his first steps in the world of paragliding.
Jimmy Pacher: From the Fassa Valley to the Skies of Europe
Jimmy Pacher was born and raised in Val di Fassa, in that part of Trentino where Ladin is still the language of everyday life and where the relationship with the mountains is something visceral, passed down from generation to generation. From an early age, Jimmy watches the pilots take off from the meadows above Campitello and Canazei with a mixture of admiration and desire. That same passion that leads him, still a teenager, to take up his first sail and discover that the air can be read, interpreted, ridden.
Jimmy’s path in paragliding is one of those who take discipline seriously from the beginning. The formative years are characterized by an almost obsessive dedication to the study of local weather conditions, to the understanding of Alpine aerology and to the continuous refinement of flight technique. It’s not simply about accumulated flight hours: it’s about a deep understanding of how the air behaves between Dolomite peaks in different seasons, how Atlantic disturbances interact with Alpine structures, how the sun warms limestone and grassy slopes differently.
This rigorous apprenticeship leads Jimmy to qualify as a professional pilot and, subsequently, as an instructor and two-seater pilot. The choice to dedicate oneself to tandem paragliding was never experienced as a renunciation of competition, but as a natural evolution: sharing the beauty of flying over the Dolomites with people who would never have the opportunity to do it alone. Every two-seater flight is, for Jimmy, a small, great challenge of human relationships as well as technical expertise.
Qualifications and safety first
When flying with a two-seater paraglider pilot, trust is everything. Jimmy Pacher brings years of experience under varying conditions, ongoing training, and constant updating on the latest safety techniques. The patents and licenses he holds are the result of an educational path that has never stopped: from the Italian free flight school to international certifications, from mountain rescue to applied meteorology. All this with thousands of flight hours accumulated almost entirely between the Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, Val di Fiemme and the surrounding areas.
Those who choose FassaFly know that security is not an accessory, but the cornerstone of every experience. Jimmy selects the flight windows with meticulous attention, preferring to forgo a takeoff rather than risk the passenger’s peace of mind. This approach, which might seem like a commercial limitation, is actually the trademark of a true professional: reputation is built flight after flight, in complete honesty with the weather conditions of the moment.
The two-seater paraglider in Val di Fassa: what to expect
Booking a two-seater flight with FassaFly means choosing an experience built in detail. From the moment you make contact with Jimmy, everything is designed to make the flight accessible, safe and unforgettable. No previous experience is necessary: tandem paragliding is open to everyone, from children to the elderly, with very few medical contraindications.
The pre-flight briefing
Before each flight, Jimmy takes the time to explain to the passenger what will happen, how to behave during takeoff and landing, and what sensations to expect in flight. This moment of preparation is not a simple formality: it serves to build the confidence that makes flying a fully enjoyed experience, not lived in anxiety. Many passengers approaching the two-seater paraglider in Val di Fassa for the first time arrive with some concern, but Jimmy’s direct and reassuring communication quickly turns apprehension into enthusiasm.
Takeoff and flight in the Dolomites
The take-off sites used by FassaFly are chosen based on the day’s conditions, always favoring those that guarantee the most spectacular trajectories and the most stable thermals. Taking off above Campitello di Fassa or near Canazei means opening up, in a matter of seconds, a breathtaking panorama: Sassolungo and Sassopiatto to the west, Catinaccio with its towers to the east, the Val di Fassa winding towards Moena and Vigo di Fassa below, and in the background – on the clearest days – the distant profiles of the Pale di San Martino.
During the flight, depending on the conditions, Jimmy can use thermals to gain altitude and extend the duration of the flight, or take a more direct path to landing. On the luckiest flights, when conditions allow for a longer flight, it’s possible to fly not only over the Val di Fassa but also approach the surrounding areas towards the Val di Fiemme or the plains overlooking the Val Gardena: a two-seater cross-country experience that few other Alpine destinations can offer with this quality of scenery.
The landing and the memories to take home
Landing with FassaFly takes place in flat and safe areas at the valley floor, near Canazei or Campitello di Fassa, easily accessible. Jimmy personally takes care of the approach and positioning phase to ensure a soft and precise landing. At the end of the flight, most passengers bring with them not only photographs taken during the flight-often with action cameras or GoPros mounted on their harness-but above all a clear reminder of what the world looks like from above, where everyday problems suddenly seem far away.
Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, Val di Fiemme: the kingdom of Dolomite paragliding
To understand why this corner of Trentino and Alto Adige is so special for paragliding, you have to look at the map with the eyes of a pilot. The Val di Fassa, crossed by the Avisio river, opens towards the north-west towards the Val Gardena and towards the east towards the Pale di San Martino. The Val di Fiemme, which begins just downstream from Moena, instead descends towards Cavalese and Lagorai. These three valley systems, connected by passes such as the San Pellegrino Pass, the Costalunga Pass and the Sella Pass, form an area of extraordinary variety for free flight.
Val Gardena, with its open meadows and slopes looking towards the Sella Group, offers flight conditions complementary to those of Val di Fassa. Local pilots are perfectly familiar with the interactions between the winds descending from the Gardena Pass and those ascending from Bolzano along the Isarco Valley: a practical knowledge that only accumulates with years of constant flight in these places. Jimmy Pacher, who has also flown intensively on this side, brings this aerodynamic culture with him as a precious heritage.
The Val di Fiemme, on the other hand, is known for its more regular flight conditions and the presence of large safe landing areas at the valley floor. The proximity to the Paneveggio forest and the Lavazè plateaus creates interesting thermodynamic situations, with thermals developing as early as the early hours of the morning on the hottest summer days. For pilots looking for distant flights, this combination of interconnected valleys is an invitation to explore Dolomite airspace in all its grandeur.
Canazei and Campitello: The Hearts of Flight Fassano
In the heart of the Fassa Valley, Canazei and Campitello di Fassa are the two villages that are more closely linked to the history of local paragliding than any other. Canazei, the capital of the upper valley, is the point of reference for tourists who arrive in summer and winter and who increasingly choose the two-seater paraglider as the crowning achievement of their Dolomite holiday. Campitello, a little further downstream, offers privileged take-off sites with optimal exposure to morning thermals.
This is where FassaFly operates primarily, with logistics bases designed to make the experience as seamless as possible. Guests staying at local hotels and apartments can book a two-seater flight with Jimmy shortly in advance, and within minutes of transferring, they’re already at high altitude, ready to feel the breeze among the peaks. It’s no coincidence that many tourists visiting the Fassa Valley for the first time return every year to repeat the experience of flying with FassaFly: that feeling of freedom suspended among the Dolomite rocks is hard to forget.
When to fly to Val di Fassa with FassaFly
FassaFly operates mainly in the summer season, from May to October, when weather and thermodynamic conditions are most favorable. Late spring already offers excellent flight windows, with thermals starting to structure but still without the summer intensity that requires more experience in management. Summer, from June to August, is the peak period: the long days, high sun and robust thermals allow spectacular flights with significant soaring altitudes above the Dolomite peaks.
September and October are perhaps the months most appreciated by experienced pilots for the air quality and stability of the conditions: the thermals are dimmed compared to summer but remain sufficient for satisfactory flights, the sky is often crystal clear and the autumn colours of the larch and fir forests that carpet the slopes of the Val di Fassa add an extraordinary chromatic dimension to the panorama from above. It is during these periods that even the most experienced passengers, those who have already flown elsewhere, are amazed by the visual quality of the flight.
For those planning a vacation in Val di Fassa with the goal of including a two-seater paragliding flight, the advice is always the same: book in advance, especially in July and August when demand is high, and allow for flexibility in scheduling to adapt to weather conditions. Jimmy is always available to recommend the best flight window and reschedule the appointment in case of less than ideal conditions: direct communication with the pilot is one of the strengths of a service like FassaFly.
How to book your two-seater flight with FassaFly
Booking a two-seater paragliding flight in Val di Fassa with Jimmy Pacher is simple and direct. The official FassaFly website at www.fassafly.com allows you to check availability, read testimonials from those who have already flown, and obtain all the necessary practical information. For those who prefer more immediate contact, Jimmy can be reached by phone and WhatsApp to answer any questions before booking.
The available packages adapt to different needs: from the standard flight of around 20-30 minutes, ideal for those who want to experience the experience for the first time, to longer flights that take advantage of favorable thermodynamic conditions to climb to altitude and cover greater distances. You can also request video footage of the flight, a valuable souvenir to share with family and friends. Prices are transparent and in line with the quality of service offered.
For groups – families, groups of friends, corporate teams looking for original team building – FassaFly can organize dedicated sessions with multiple flights in succession. It’s a way to share the thrill of flying between the Dolomites in company, and each passenger will have their own story to tell once they land. There are no strict age limits: younger children can fly in suitable conditions and accompanied by parents, while there is no upper limit as long as general physical conditions allow it.
Why choose FassaFly for your paragliding in Val di Fassa
In the panorama of two-seater paragliding offers in the Dolomites, FassaFly stands out for some characteristics that go beyond the pilot’s simple technical expertise. First, there is the knowledge of the territory: Jimmy Pacher flew over the Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, Val di Fiemme and the Dolomite passes in very different conditions, accumulating a mental mapping of local airspace that has no equivalent. This deep knowledge translates into real security and the ability to always find the best solution for each condition.
Secondly, there is the human relationship. Jimmy is not a pilot who carries passengers mechanically, flight after flight. Each person who relies on him to fly over the Dolomites is treated with individual attention: expectations, fears, and specific desires are taken into account to shape the experience in a personalized way. This approach is rare in the industry and makes FassaFly a choice that goes beyond simply seeking adrenaline.
Finally, there is the care of the equipment. The parachutes and two-seater sails used by FassaFly are among the most modern available on the market, with EN and LTF certifications guaranteeing the highest standards of passive safety. Regular maintenance and constant equipment upgrades are an investment Jimmy makes for his passengers, because nothing can be left to chance when flying between the peaks of the Dolomites.
The Val di Fassa awaits you from above
There is a moment, during every two-seater flight over the Val di Fassa, when the passenger stops looking down to check the altitude and instead begins to look far away, towards the horizon, towards the Dolomites that extend in every direction like a sea of stone and light. It’s the moment when anxiety gives way to wonder, and wonder gives way to something deeper: the awareness of living a once-in-a-lifetime moment in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Jimmy Pacher, who grew up in this valley and was trained by it, is the ideal flying companion to experience this moment. Its history is the history of the Fassa Valley itself: a land that has given its children not only the beauty of a unique landscape, but also the skills, passion, and character to make something great out of it. FassaFly is the result of all this: a small, large school of freedom suspended in the Dolomites, available to anyone who wants to look up to the sky.
If you’re planning a vacation in Val di Fassa, Canazei, Campitello di Fassa, or nearby valleys like Val Gardena and Val di Fiemme, don’t let the two-seater paraglider with FassaFly remain just an idea. Book your flight, come meet Jimmy and discover the Dolomites like few are lucky enough to see them: from above, in silence, with the wind in your face and a horizon that never ends.
Book your two-seater paragliding flight in Val di Fassa now
www.fassafly.com | Canazei, Val di Fassa, Dolomiti
