First Time Skydiving Guide: Everything You Need to Know

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The Ultimate Guide to your Skydiving Experience

If you’re a first-time skydiver, you probably have a ton of questions about the process. How do you prepare? What’s it like? Is it scary, safe, expensive? This guide was created to give you peace of mind and get you excited about this incredible adventure!

We’ve done our best to answer any questions you might have in this guide, but if there’s one we missed, please contact us and we’ll do our best to answer it right away! Want to view our FAQs page? Click here!

About Tandem Skydiving

First and foremost, you won’t be in this alone. To skydive for the first time, you must be with a tandem skydiving instructor. That means that you won’t actually be the one doing the work. It’s the job of the tandem instructor to keep you stable in the air, pull the parachute at the right altitude, and steer you back for a safe landing.

If you’re looking to skydive solo our IAD (Instructor Aided Deployment) program is your next step. This program is designed to get you certified to skydive by yourself. Even these programs, however, must begin with a tandem skydive.

Age & Weight Requirements for your First Skydive

The first step to a successful skydive is to make sure that you can skydive in the first place! Almost anyone can skydive, but there are a few requirements that exist for the safety of both the student and the instructor.

You must be at least 18 and weigh under 230lbs to skydive at Skydive the Wasatch.

For the safety of both the instructor and the student, we require that all skydivers must be at least 18 years of age and weigh less than 230lbs. Passengers over 200 lbs will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  We require a valid, government issued photo ID to prove your age.

Pricing Options & Visual Packages

The experience of a lifetime, we’ll take you to 13,000 feet over the beautiful Wasatch front. Your experienced USPA-rated and FAA certified tandem instructor will be there to guide you through the entire experience as you plummet through the air at 120 MPH, then take in the jaw-dropping scenery of the Rocky Mountains.

Standard Tandem Skydives

Our incredible tandem skydive includes ground instruction, equipment, and tandem skydive with an experienced USPA-rated and FAA certified tandem instructor. We offer significant discounts based on the time of day/day of the week. To view our full pricing schedule by date, click here.

Tandem Skydiving Experience (Variable Pricing)
Weekday & Sunday Mornings$199 – $219
Weekday Afternoons & Sunday Evenings$229
Weekday Evenings & Saturday Mornings$249 – $269
Saturday Afternoons & Evenings$279 – $299
Includes ground instruction, equipment, and an unforgettable tandem skydiving experience with a professional USPA-certified tandem instructor. Prices valid as of 2025 and are subject to change based on events and other factors. Please note: There will be a 3.5% CC Processing fee added to non-cash payments and payments not made in full online.

Please note: This price structure serves as a guide, and does not guarantee pricing for a particular date/time. To view actual pricing, click here.

More Skydiving Options

Ultimate Adventurer Skydiving Experience
Take your skydiving adventure to new heights with this one-of-a-kind upgraded experience! You’ll still be paired with one of our incredibly talented and charismatic tandem instructors, but you’ll become a much more active participant in your skydive than with a normal tandem jump. In addition to the standard pre-jump briefing, you’ll learn essential skydiving techniques, get a hands-on introduction to your equipment, and get to experience the exhilaration of deploying the parachute yourself under the guidance of your instructor. You’ll also be able to take the reins and steer the parachute yourself back to the dropzone while surrounded by breathtaking views. Plus, take home a souvenir Skydive the Wasatch T-Shirt as a memento of your adventure!
$409
Ultimate Adventurer Skydiving Experience with Content Creator Package
Includes the Ultimate Adventurer Skydiving Experience plus 125+ HD photos and a 2-4 minute professionally edited video capturing the plane ride up, scenic views of the Wasatch Front, free-fall, parachute ride, and landing. Delivered directly to your email inbox and easily shareable on social media! This package also includes all the raw footage of your skydive (without background music or edits) so you can create your own content or keep the full, unedited experience as a personal memory. Delivered via USB stick before you leave the dropzone!
$628
The Diamond Experience w/ Professional Aerial Videography
The pinnacle of skydiving. This is for the people who want the full experience and then some… the adrenaline, the views, the bragging rights, and the entire thing captured like a feature film.

You won’t just ride along. You’ll learn the basics, pull your own parachute, and actually fly your way back to earth. And while you’re doing that, two cameras will be rolling: one on your instructor, and one in the sky… a professional aerial videographer will also be flying with you to catch the whole thing from above, around, and everywhere in between. And just wait until you see the views from that angle… words truly can’t describe it. But a video sure can!

You’ll get over 125 high-res photos, multiple professionally edited videos and social edits, and every raw clip from both angles. It’s a completely over-the-top, absolutely unforgettable, wildly fun way to fall from the sky. Just the way it should be.
$850
IAD Training Program
Learn to skydive: Includes gear and all jumps and instruction required to receive A-license
Call


Photo & Video Options

Re-live the experience and prove that you’ve checked this incredible adventure off your bucket list with one of our video packages. Packages can be purchased during the booking process or on-site.

Standard Photo Package
Includes more than 125+ high-quality photos of your experience and the jaw-dropping scenery of the Wasatch Front. Delivered directly to your email inbox and easily sharable to social media!
99
Standard Video Package
Includes a 2-4 minute professionally edited video of the plane ride up, the scenic vistas of the Wasatch Front, free-fall, the parachute ride, and landing. Delivered directly to your email inbox and easily sharable to social media!
119
Deluxe Photo & Video Package
Includes 125+ HD photos and a 2-4 minute professionally edited video of the plane ride up, the scenic views of the Wasatch Front, free-fall, the parachute ride, and landing. Delivered directly to your email inbox and easily sharable to social media!
149
Content Creator Package
Includes 125+ HD photos and a 2-4 minute professionally edited video capturing the plane ride up, scenic views of the Wasatch Front, free-fall, parachute ride, and landing. Delivered directly to your email inbox and easily shareable on social media! This package also includes all the raw footage of your skydive (without background music or edits) so you can create your own content or keep the full, unedited experience as a personal memory. Delivered via USB stick before you leave the dropzone!
219

Discounts

Group Discount (4-6 person group)
All group members must be booked during the same or adjacent time slots. Even-numbered groups preferred. Group discount is taken off of the total price per person.
$10 off
Group Discount (6+ person group)
All group members must be booked during the same or adjacent time slots. Even-numbered groups preferred. Group discount is taken off of the total price per person.
$20 off
Student Discount
Must be an active student and present a valid student ID. Please call for confirmation if you are unsure of your eligibility.
$20 off
First Responder Discount
Must be an active first responder. This includes firefighters, law enforcement professionals, 911 operators, individuals with an active EMT certification, and paid or volunteer ambulance drivers, paramedics, or other emergency medical personnel first on the scene of an accident or natural disaster. Please call for confirmation if you are unsure of your eligibility.
$20 off
Active Duty Military Discount
Must be a full-time member of the United States Military and show current, valid military ID. Please call for confirmation if you are unsure of your eligibility.
$20 off
*One discount per person per visit. Discounts can not be combined. Other restrictions may apply.

Dropzone Location & Directions

Located only one hour away from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area — and just half an hour from Provo — Skydive the Wasatch offers tandem skydiving over the majestic terrain of the Wasatch Front. Our central location makes us the perfect place for a day trip or as an activity on a weekend adventure.

2001 N Airport Rd
Nephi, UT 84648
Get Directions

Questions? Call (385) 321-0284

  • Laura L. Avatar
    Laura L.
    This was the most amazing experience of my life!!! I had a really fantastic instructor that made the experience even better than I could have imagined!!! I highly recommend choosing Skydive the Wasatch for your skydiving adventures!! I can't wait to go back!!!
    read more
    10/11/2017
  • Kristin A. Avatar
    Kristin A.
    Leon and the crew took great care of us! They were super fun, professional, and gave us an amazing introduction to skydiving. It's obvious they are passionate about what they do and psyched to provide a great experience for each client. Also, the views were fantastic with snow still on the Wasatch Mountains and a gorgeous landscape around us.
    read more
    6/12/2020
  • Gage W. Avatar
    Gage W.
    As a first timer, it was incredible. The instructors were really cool, they made us feel safe and interested in doing it again! 10/10 would recommend!
    read more
    10/21/2023
  • Ahi T. Avatar
    Ahi T.
    The staff were all super friendly and professional, but also chill so you could relax a bit. The jump itself doesnt compare to anything else. Scott was a great instructor and id jump with him anyday. Its a highlight of my life and im sure ill be going back.
    read more
    3/22/2025
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  • Coleen N. Avatar
    Coleen N.
    I went into this skydive as 'a one and done', but that has since changed! This was the most AMAZING experience of my life! I can not recommend Skydive the Wasatch enough. From start to finish, the day was perfect, the entire team there is fantastic! Their location is great! The views from above are absolutely beautiful. I'm looking forward to my next jump at Skydive the Wasatch!
    read more
    10/10/2023
  • Erin M. Avatar
    Erin M.
    Absolutely an amazing experience! The people are great, the experience was amazing and I'll keep these memories forever! (pro tip is to buy the raw footage)
    read more
    6/28/2022
  • Derrick G. Avatar
    Derrick G.
    The experience was awesome. It was our 2nd time going. And it just gets better everytime we go. The people were great and very accommodating. The experience of the jump was epic. Being able to stand out on the wing and feel the air was amazing. That was the best. I highly recommend checking out Wasatch. It was an amazing time. Definitely planning a third. Thank you guys it was Awesome.
    read more
    7/26/2022
  • Aubree U. Avatar
    Aubree U.
    Yep this was an amazing experience. Their instructors were very knowledgable and laid back at the same time. Their easy going attitude helped me not be so nervous! I would do this again in a heartbeat!
    read more
    7/17/2016
  • Cindy W. Avatar
    Cindy W.
    Such an amazing experience!! Thank you for being so kind, funny, and skilled!! Had so much fun and you all made sure we had the best time.. If you are wanting to skydive this is the company to go with! I give them 10/10!!
    read more
    8/01/2015
  • Andy B. Avatar
    Andy B.
    What a rad day we had. First, I was super nervous to do this. Second, the staff is legendary. Brenda was the best! Greg made sure we had a chute that opened. Leon and Chris could not have been cooler buddies. Surprised my wife with a jump for her birthday and decided last minute to jump with her. What I’m saying is……do it! This is the go to spot for jumping out of an airplane. (Also, Leon has a mans mustache!)
    read more
    8/28/2021

So... What are you waiting for?

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