From everyday life to the mountains – In conversation with Maelle Frei

Maelle Frei is someone you immediately sense in her world: grounded, curious, humorous – and with a deep respect for the power of the elements. When she talks about her adventures, it's not about records or performance. It's about freedom. About the simple yet profound feeling of being outdoors – whether hiking or paragliding. She lives in Central Switzerland, where she grew up – between ski days with her dear mum, summer hikes with her grandparents, and later, relaxing climbs on her beloved local mountain, Mount Pilatus. After a brief teenage hiatus (she laughs about it herself), that urge to be outdoors suddenly returned. And it has stayed with her ever since – only now the hiker has become a versatile mountaineer who does pretty much everything that involves gaining altitude, from bouldering and ski touring & flying to cross-country paragliding. "I simply love being outdoors – and when I do something, I do it properly." she says. This passion led her to paragliding at the end of 2021 – and just eight months later, in June 2022, she passed her certification exam. An impressive achievement that demonstrates not only discipline but also courage and self-confidence. Since then, she has often been found in the air. Cross-country flights, hike & fly, acro – what began as curiosity has now become a part of her life. But how did it all begin?

"Everything happened gradually – from hiking to flying"

Her earliest experiences weren't dramatic near-falls or epic nights in the mountains – but rather simple, beautiful moments. Skiing days with her dear mum, summer hikes with her grandparents, a reward on the toboggan run. Completely childlike, completely carefree. And then, at 19, her own curiosity returned – rekindled by Mount Pilatus, which was right on her doorstep when she moved to Kriens. "My goal was to get to know all the routes up Pilatus." And she went. More and more often. And further and further. What began with classic hikes gradually developed into alpine hikes, bouldering, climbing, and finally paragliding. The transition was seamless – also because she doesn't like to be pigeonholed. Maelle loves hiking just as much as flying. The connection to the earth and the perspective from above. The physicality and the letting go. "I always wanted everything at once." she says in retrospect with a twinkle in her eye. Today she knows that you have to set priorities. That you need patience in the mountains. "Focus is important – you have to know what means the most to you and become good at it. The rest will then fall into place."

"I am only a guest – and nature lets me be."

For Maelle, being outdoors is a way to connect with the world. "Especially through paragliding, I've learned how small we are. We move in a space we can't control—we can only be guests." This humility shapes her relationship with nature. She doesn't talk about "conquering" the mountain, but about how much the mountains give her: patience, acceptance, gratitude, and a deep awareness that not everything can be planned—nor does it need to be. Whether she's in the air or identifying wild herbs on the ground, it's never about the grand, the spectacular. It's about the moment. "Enjoy every moment—life is too beautiful not to be content." says the young paraglider.

Between everyday life and high altitude

Maelle works as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company. Her mind craves the outdoors, and her body needs a connection to the earth. Luckily, the mountains are just a short distance from her everyday life. "After a day on the road in the car, sometimes a quick hike and fly is all I need to clear my head." Sometimes she even goes alone – simply up the mountain, paraglider strapped to her back, her thoughts in tow. "If I need to get there quickly, I go solo. The feeling of pure joy up there – it's incomparable." When she has more time, Maelle also enjoys sharing experiences, whether with a partner or in a group.

What should never be missing from your luggage?

Maelle laughs: “Definitely my paraglider – although I now have three different ones.”

Her advice to everyone who wants to set off?

"Step by step. Your passion will guide you." And: "Always be aware that you are a guest. That you travel with respect – for yourself, for others, for nature." Anyone who meets Maelle quickly realizes: She doesn't want to impress, but to inspire. Not higher, faster, further. But to feel more deeply, to live more consciously – and simply to be outdoors.