Vertigo
Balanc'Air
Swinging above the void.
A gondola hoisted to 12 meters and a thrilling free fall for a rush of adrenaline above the void!
A unique experience
Hoisted to 12 m, you drop into the void for a free fall followed by a big pendulum swing.
Strong pulling power
A spectacular, photogenic installation with strong media potential.
Compliant with EN standards
Designed to the NF EN 13814 standard and certified by an independent body.
A Balanc'Air in your image
Above the Void
The structure can be installed on the edge of a relief, for a swing above the void.
Custom Gondola
The gondola can be customized with your site's colors and identity.
Structure Color
The structure's color can be chosen to blend into the landscape, or on the contrary to stand out from it.
Custom Terrace
A terrace can accompany the installation, to welcome spectators and riders.
Why install a Balanc'Air?
A unique sensation
Seated three abreast in the gondola, passengers are hoisted to a height of 12 m, then released: two seconds of free fall, before a swinging motion carries them at 60 to 80 km/h, facing the landscape. The thrill is intense, but perfectly safe.
A photogenic attraction
As spectacular to ride as it is to watch, the Balanc'Air attracts visitors, surprises them and leaves a lasting impression. Installed on open ground or a viewpoint, it becomes a point of interest on your site, and its images are easily shared.
Simple to operate
A single operator is enough, thanks to a simple, intuitive control cabinet. The whole installation has a small footprint, its 11.9 m height stays within the usual limits of local planning rules, and it only requires a development permit.
Balanc'Air specifications
Gondola
3 people, adjustable 5-point harness
Safety
Release hook under load, anemometer, perimeter protections
Standard
NF EN 13814, category 3 fixed amusement ride, certified by an independent body
Permit
Development permit
Seasonality
Four seasons
Height
12 m (11.9 m structure)
Free fall
About 2 seconds
Speed
From 60 to 80 km/h
Capacity
Up to 180 people per day
Ride duration
About 7 minutes
Staff
1 operator
Footprint
43 m² for the ramp, lifting table and protections, within a 102 m² clear area
Structure
Galvanized steel, designed for high-mountain conditions
How does a ride work?
Boarding
Passengers reach the gondola via a ramp and a lifting table. The gondola is stabilized against the dock during boarding, and each passenger is secured by an adjustable 5-point harness that fits all body types.
Hoisting to 12 m
A winch hoists the gondola by its pulling strap to a height of 12 m, above a completely clear and protected area.
The drop and the swing
The operator triggers the release: two seconds of free fall, then a big pendulum swing at 60 to 80 km/h, with a panoramic view of the landscape. A complete ride lasts about 7 minutes.
La Clusaz, the first Balanc'Air
It was at La Clusaz, in Haute-Savoie, that 4 Experience installed the very first Balanc'Air, in 2024. Suspended facing the Aravis range, it offers the resort's visitors a new way to discover the mountains: from the sky, at the end of a big pendulum swing.
Engineering-led design
Designed for every site
The structural calculations are based on assumptions broad enough to suit very different sites. They rely on the NF EN 13814 standard, the Eurocodes, wind load design rules and RM2, the French regulation governing cable cars.
Built for the mountains
The galvanized steel structure, held by guy cables, withstands high-mountain conditions. An anemometer monitors the wind, and the loads transmitted to the foundations are defined at the very start of the project.
Operations under control
The gondola locks onto the dock during boarding, release is triggered by a hook under load, and an ergonomic control cabinet lets a single operator run each ride in complete safety.
Activities to pair with the Balanc'Air
Launched Zip Line
Lightning-fast adrenaline.
Belved'Air
Take your time, and take in the view.
Bungee Ejection
Launched into the unknown.
Balanc'Air FAQ
What is the Balanc'Air?
It is a giant swing: a three-seat gondola is hoisted to a height of 12 m, then released for a free fall of about two seconds, followed by a big pendulum swing.
How fast does the gondola go?
Between 60 and 80 km/h during the swing.
How many people can it accommodate?
The gondola holds three passengers, and a ride lasts about 7 minutes, i.e. up to 180 people per day.
How many operators are needed?
Just one, thanks to a simple, intuitive control cabinet.
How much space is needed?
The ramp, lifting table and protections take up 43 m² (5.6 × 7.6 m), within a 102 m² clear area under the swing.
What permit is required?
The Balanc'Air only requires a development permit, and its 11.9 m height stays within the usual limits of local planning rules.
What standards does it meet?
It is designed to the NF EN 13814 standard for amusement rides and leisure parks, in category 3 (individual restraint for each passenger), with calculations that notably take wind loads into account. It is certified by an independent inspection body.
Where can a Balanc'Air be installed?
On open ground or a viewpoint, in the heart of nature, and even above the void for an even more spectacular effect. It suits ski resorts, tourist sites and regions that want to create a strong attraction.
Does the Balanc'Air operate all year round?
Yes. Its galvanized steel structure is designed for high-mountain conditions, and the attraction can be operated in every season.
