There are plenty of ways to experience Ticino, but seeing it from above has to be one of the most unforgettable. From the mountains surrounding Locarno to the sparkling waters of Lake Maggiore, the landscape looks completely different when you leave the roads and hiking trails behind.
This September, I bought a ticket for my partner to enjoy the chance to experience a Glider Flight In Ticino that was with the Gruppo Volo a Vela Ticino (GVVT) at Locarno Airport, taking part in their special 90th anniversary Open Day.
And rather than simply watching the gliders take off, I booked him on a Panoramic Glider Flight, an approximately 40-minute experience designed to give passengers the chance to enjoy Ticino from the air, without the noise of a conventional aircraft engine.
90 Years of Gliding in Ticino
The Gruppo Volo a Vela Ticino, or GVVT, has been promoting gliding in Ticino since 1936. Based at Locarno Airport, the organisation brings together a community of around 80 members, from teenagers to pilots over 80, all connected by a passion for flying.
The club isn’t simply about recreational flights. GVVT also operates a gliding school, with certified instructors and training towards recognised sailplane pilot licences. It also has its own certified technical workshop and a fleet of aircraft suited to different flying activities.
The club’s Open Day on 5 and 6 September 2026 was therefore a particularly special occasion, celebrating 90 years of the organisation.
Saturday was dedicated to an evening of food, music and celebrations, while Sunday opened the doors of the airport to anyone curious about gliding and aviation.
The GVVT Open Day
Sunday’s event offered visitors the opportunity to get much closer to the world of gliding.
From around 9:30 in the morning, visitors could watch passenger flights taking place, discover the gliding school, meet pilots and instructors, and learn more about what happens behind the scenes.
There was also plenty happening on the ground. A food truck served lunch, an ice cream truck provided refreshments, and one of the highlights of the day the arrival of paragliders flying down from Monte Tamaro, landing directly at the airport.
For aviation enthusiasts, it was a chance to see several different types of aircraft up close. For everyone else, it was simply a rather unusual way to spend a Sunday in Ticino.
The Panoramic Glider Flight In Ticino
For us, the main attraction was the opportunity to actually get into a glider.
GVVT offered several different passenger experiences, ranging from a short 10 minute introductory flight to longer panoramic experiences. I booked an experience for my partner, which was the Panoramic Glider Flight, costing only CHF 160 and lasts approximately 40 minutes, making it a nice option to have some time in the air and experience the glider!
Unlike a conventional aircraft, a glider doesn’t have an engine. Instead, the aircraft is initially pulled into the air by a tow plane. Once it reaches the appropriate altitude, the glider releases from the tow and continues its journey independently.
And this is where the experience becomes particularly special.
Without an engine running, the flight is remarkably quiet. Instead of the constant sound of a motor, you can hear the air moving around the aircraft as the glider gently travels through the sky. GVVT describes this as the “volo silenzioso” – silent flight, and it is a fitting description.
The passenger and pilot sit one behind the other, giving the person in the front a fantastic view of the landscape ahead.
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Ticino From a Completely Different Perspective
From the ground, Ticino is all about dramatic mountains, winding valleys, forests and lakes. From a glider, those same landscapes suddenly become one enormous panorama.
The mountains surrounding the region stretch out beneath the aircraft, while Lake Maggiore provides a spectacular contrast between the rugged landscape and the water below.
One of the most exciting parts of the experience is that you’re not simply looking out of an aircraft window at a distant landscape. You’re actually flying through it.
Below you could easily see all the houses, cars and whats happening – even the cool go karting track.
The pilot guides the glider through the air, using the conditions around the aircraft to maintain altitude and extend the flight. For someone who enjoys mountains, photography, adventure or simply trying something completely different, it’s a pretty unique way to see the region.
And with approximately 40 minutes in the air, there is plenty of time to take in the views, enjoy the sensation of silent flight and appreciate just how different Ticino looks from above.
Would We Do It Again?
Was it worth CHF 160? How did the take-off feel? Was my partner nervous? What was the view like? Which mountains and landmarks could you see? And, most importantly, what did he think once he was back on the ground?
My partner absolutely loved it! Without an engine, you hear the wind through the glider. The take off took a lot longer than expected, as they had to gain the right altitude for gliding. He had the front seat, which was of course amazing to experience, seeing the Lake Maggiore, surrounding mountains like Cardada, above the go kart track and a few loops around the area further. The landing he also enjoyed, very smooth until they pulled into the longer grass to stop!!
A Glider Flight In Ticino is definitely an amazing experience for those who love aviation and want to see Ticino from a difference perspective. For now, one thing is certain: there aren’t many more unusual ways to spend a Sunday in Ticino than soaring silently above the mountains in a glider.
Discover their website and book directly for your own experience – which you can do on other days and not just during the event!
Related Ticino Adventures
Need for Speed: Go Karting in Ticino
Paragliding In Ticino: An Unforgettable Experience
Hiking And Exploring Monte Generoso At 1,704 Meters
Exploring Cimetta: 2 Cable Cars And 1 Chairlift To The Top!
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