Skydiving

For experienced enthusiasts or for “never-ever’s,” sky diving is a popular sport in Las Vegas, where the conditions are most favorable for it. The combination of the dry weather and the open terrain make sky diving a “natural” activity. From three miles high the views of the rest of the world are enthralling, and the sensation of coming down out of the atmos-phere is, well, there’s nothing else quite like it. In a single glance the diver can see the Strip, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, Lake Mead and the Colorado River, and a good bit of four different states. That is why this sport has become a darling of the “adrenaline junkie.”

Obviously, an airport is a requirement. At least three local airports host operating companies. The nearest one to the Strip is SLV (Skydive Las Vegas), based at a municipal airport near Boulder City. Other operators function out of Jean, Nevada (near the border with California) and Mesquite (near the border with Arizona and Utah). These operators have rela-tionships with some of the resort hotels, and have free shuttle service or door-to-door trans-portation as part of their service.

Prior to the jump, all jumpers (both rookies and veterans) get a class, which is often in the form of a detailed briefing. Usually the activities begin fairly early in the day, by 8:30 or 9:00. Different sorts of jumps are available, including tandem jumps (with the instructor – the best option for people new to the experience) and group jumps. The length of the jump is also variable (1 mile, 2 miles, etc.). Free falls can last for anywhere from a few seconds up to more than a minute (depending on the height, obviously, and the techniques employed by the diver).

The cost, not including photography and any other extras will vary from about $150 to $250. Advance reservations are always recommended, and often required. If going in a group, be sure to inquire about the aircraft, and how many can be accommodated at once. Door to door time is about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the distance between the airport and the hotel.