Tandem Skydive FAQs

We’re located at 5219 Jackson Highway, Toledo, WA at the South Lewis County Airport – just off Jackson Highway. You’ll find us about halfway between Seattle and Portland, with easy access from I-5.

We’re open seasonally, typically from March 1 through October 1, weather permitting. Tandem operations are available on weekends and select weekdays. Call the dropzone or check our social media for updates – we’re on Facebook and Instagram.

Free parking is available onsite. Look for signage as you enter the airport and park in the designated customer area. Follow the wind blades to check in.

Reservations are recommended as we often book out in advance, especially during peak season. We happily accommodate walk-ins when we have capacity.

Making a reservation is easy – access our secure, online booking system and then choose your preferred date and time. Once you’re booked, you’ll receive a confirmation email that includes more information as well as a link to the skydiving liability waiver. Save time on jump day by completing your waiver in advance!

To complete your reservation, you must make a non-refundable deposit of $75 per person at the time of booking. Your balance is due upon arrival at the dropzone.

Active military, veterans, and their guests are eligible to receive as much as $55 off per person – that’s $25 off the tandem and free photos ($30 value) when you purchase video. Discounts are applied onsite; bring relevant ID.

Note: Members of the military and veterans can also purchase gift certificates for tandem skydives at the discounted rate, regardless of whether the recipient is a member of the military or not.

Yes, we offer Tandem Skydiving Gift Certificates at our standard rate, as well as Military Gift Certificates at a discounted rate. The value paid for a gift certificate is valid indefinitely. For the first year, it can be redeemed in full for the original service. However, after one year the original amount still applies, but the gift recipient must pay any difference if prices have increased since the purchase date.

To book your jump, you must make a $75 per person deposit. This non-refundable deposit requires a 24-hour reschedule policy so we may re-sell your skydiving slot. If you do not give at least 24 hours notice or if you do not show up, you forfeit the deposit.

Absolutely! Spectators of all ages are welcome and encouraged. We have plenty of seating, shade, and even a hangar with pinball, video games, and movies! At Skydive Toledo, we’re known for our relaxed, friendly vibe – just remember, no alcohol on the dropzone during operating hours.

We do not have concessions on site, but you are welcome to bring whatever you need to be comfortable during your jump experience. Bring a picnic and watch skydivers land and celebrate!

There are also restaurants and a market very close by. Just ask a staff member and we can suggest a place for you to find some grub!

Not on your skydive! Many people bring their well-behaved, leashed dogs to enjoy the spectacle of skydiving. Please remember to pick up after your pup!

SO MUCH! Toledo is small-town friendly with big adventure vibes. All a stone’s throw away: salmon fishing, kayaking, boating, hiking, and more. Check out our DZ Info page for more details.

You can see seven stunning volcanoes within the Cascade Mountain Range from altitude:

• Mount St. Helens
• Mount Rainier
• Mount Adams
• Mount Hood
• Mount Jefferson
• Mount Baker
• Glacier Peak

Skydive Toledo is the only dropzone that offers views of Mount St. Helens, making your jump truly one of a kind!

IYKYK

You must be at least 18 years old to skydive tandem. No exceptions, even with parental consent. Valid, government-issued photo ID required at check-in.

There’s no official max age – as long as you’re in good health, you can jump!

We generally accommodate jumpers up to 220 lbs, depending on height and body type. As a general rule, jumpers under 6 feet tall should be no more than 200 lbs. Jumpers over 6 ft tall can be up to 220 lbs. Please contact us with any questions.

You should be in reasonably good physical condition. The tandem skydiving harness must fit securely and you need to be able to lift your legs for landing. You’re welcome to connect with us if you have specific questions, but ultimately you need to discuss any concerns about skydiving with your doctor. We are not medical professionals and cannot give any medical advice.

You must be alert, able to follow instructions, and free of conditions that impair judgment or focus.

Possibly! We’ve accommodated lots of people with mobility issues in the past. Safety is our top priority, always. Contact us in advance to discuss your specific needs.

Yes. Pregnancy and certain heart, back, or neurological conditions may prevent you from jumping. If you have concerns, consult with your doctor before booking your jump and give us a call to discuss specifics, as necessary.

Please arrive at the time listed in your confirmation email. Showing up early doesn’t mean jumping early – skydiving runs on a carefully timed schedule.

Plan to spend 2 to 4 hours with us. Weather, group size, and air traffic can all affect timing.

Bring your valid, government-issued photo ID. Snacks, water, sunscreen, and a positive attitude are also great to have!

Dress for comfort and movement – athletic wear and lace-up shoes are best. Avoid anything bulky, restrictive, or with dangling accessories that may be a snag hazard. No sandals, boots, or heels.

Yes! We provide goggles that fit over glasses or secure your contacts during freefall.

Yes – a light meal is encouraged. Don’t jump on an empty stomach, but avoid anything too greasy or heavy.

No. Alcohol is strictly prohibited before your jump. You must arrive sober, or your jump will be canceled without a refund. Definitely drink water before jumping, though! Dehydration and exhilaration don’t mix.

Call the dropzone ahead of time or inform a team member as soon as you arrive. We’ll work with you to reschedule if needed.

If the weather doesn’t allow you to jump, you must be able to reschedule for another day to keep your deposit.

High winds, low clouds, rain, or poor visibility due to smoke may delay or cancel jumps. We make all weather decisions based on United States Parachute Association (USPA) safety standards and real-time conditions.

Tips are never expected, but always appreciated! If you had a great time and want to show some love, your instructor will be grateful.

Easy – just add your media package when you check in at the dropzone on jump day. You can choose to get still photos only, video only, or both. (Pro tip: definitely get both!)

You have two choices – handcam or professional videographer.

Handcam video and photos are captured from a wrist-mounted camera worn by your tandem instructor. The media we capture this way is up close and personal and features every part of your skydive – exit, freefall, and canopy flight!

Videographer video and photos are captured by a dedicated camera flyer who jumps with you and your instructor. The media we capture this way shows an “outside” perspective of your skydive, including exit, freefall and landing.

Still photo packages include high-resolution images of your jump, from prep to landing. Perfect for printing and sharing. Get the Video & Stills package to get footage and photos!

Your handcam video includes boarding, exit, freefall, and canopy footage – with your reactions front and center! Get the Video & Stills package to get footage and photos!

Media is delivered digitally within 24 hours of your jump.

No. Photos and video are captured by handcam shot by each tandem instructor. You may feature in each other’s videos and shots on the ground, and maybe even in the plane, but you can’t share a package. To get footage and photos of your jump, you must purchase your own media package.

No. Per safety regulations set forth by our governing agency – the United States Parachute Association (USPA) – only licensed skydivers with 200+ jumps are permitted to use personal cameras.

Skydiving is an extreme sport. There is inherent risk involved with jumping out of a “perfectly good airplane” at 15,000 feet – it is not a “safe” endeavor. As such, skydiving is a heavily regulated industry that is closely monitored by the United States Parachute Association (USPA). For more information, read the USPA’s annual report: “How safe is skydiving?”

Skydive Toledo is a USPA Group Member, and we operate with strict safety protocols. Tandem students are securely harnessed to a USPA-certified instructor who manages every aspect of the jump, from exit to landing.

At Skydive Toledo, we use modern, meticulously-maintained equipment and follow strict safety protocols to ensure your jump is as uneventful as possible. Tandem jumps use a dual-parachute system: a main parachute and a reserve parachute. These rigs are specifically designed for tandem skydiving and include built-in safety features.

All of our systems meet or exceed FAA and USPA safety requirements.

Main parachutes are packed by trained professionals under FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) guidelines. Reserve parachutes are packed and inspected by FAA-certified riggers every 180 days, whether they are used or not.

While extremely rare, parachute malfunctions are possible. As such, we are trained and equipped to handle different scenarios. If the main canopy fails to open correctly, your instructor will deploy the reserve parachute. In the event your instructor isn’t able to deploy the reserve, we use a backup system called an AAD (Automatic Activation Device) that is designed to deploy the reserve parachute at a preset altitude.

Yes. Every tandem rig has two parachutes: a main parachute and a certified backup reserve parachute.

Every rig is equipped with an RSL (Reserve Static Line), which automatically deploys the reserve parachute when the main parachute is cut away by an instructor. Additionally, tandem rigs are packed with an AAD (Automatic Activation Device) that is designed to deploy the reserve parachute in the event your tandem instructor does not deploy the main by a predetermined altitude.