Saving money when you’re shopping your way down a grocery list is straightforward. So, more or less, is saving money a car, or an apartment, or a new suit. Saving money skydiving is quite a bit less straightforward. Figuring out how much it costs to learn to skydive — and where to save a few bucks, here and there — requires learning a bit about why skydiving costs what skydiving costs. We want to help!
1. Why does it cost more to skydive at some places than others?
First-time skydivers have a confusing situation on their hands when them when they start researching the cost of a tandem skydive. The prices are pretty different, and it’s not entirely obvious why. It’s easy to be boggled by this; after all, Isn’t a skydive the same no matter where you go? Isn’t it just a matter of getting up in a plane and getting out?
Actually, though the basic markers are the same, a skydive is materially very different depending on where (and how) you go. Here’s a little background information–and some good news!–to help you make an informed decision.
2. Is skydiving equipment different depending on where you skydive?
For reasons of safety, we believe here at Skydive Chicago that any gear used in parachuting has to be top-quality equipment, maintained in excellent condition. The reasons are for peace of mind, It’s about the comfort, because the quality of the parachute makes a big difference in the softness of your landing. Not every dropzone cleaves to the same high standards that we do.
3. Is it a good idea to save money by buying a cheap skydiving Groupon?
Cheap skydiving flash sales might have dollar signs flashing in your eyes, but hold up– double-digit skydiving prices are never quite the deal they pretend to be. If you read the fine print, you’ll often notice that add-ons bring the price pretty much right back up to where it was. (Case in point: Some Groupon skydives will bring you in to the dropzone only to be charged to wear a parachute! What-WHAT?!)
Secondly–and most importantly–bargain skydives aren’t great skydives. Ever. Often, cheap skydives are desperation deals offered at fly-by-night operations that burn themselves out with volume and don’t pay the totally-necessary attention to comfort and safety details. Buyer beware!
4. What’s the true investment you make by buying a skydive at a great dropzone?
When you purchase a tandem skydiving experience, you’re purchasing one of your life’s landmark moments. Why not do it right? Skydive Chicago offers a resort-quality experience that you can enjoy all day, even after feasting your eyes on our pastoral landscape from freefall. Make a day of it, and join us for a dip in the swimmin’ hole, a game of volleyball, a couple of drinks at our world-famous skydivers’ bar and a sweet little campout. When you fold up your tent (or drive away your RV), you’ll leave with a feather in your cap that you’ll be strutting for years.