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I'm used to getting my adrenaline rushes from face shots, so since this winter's been a little short on snow, I decided to travel the 90 minutes to an indoor attraction I've wanted to visit since its inception: Skyventure Colorado, the Front Range's only indoor skydiving arena.
When I arrived, I thought I walked into more than I bargained for: Men in the octagon wind tunnel standing on their heads, flipping over and swinging back and forth in Matrix-type leaps and bounds as David Bowie's “Suffragette City” played in the background. As it turned out, I was watching advanced lessons: Plenty of skydivers practice free falling and stunts in the wind tunnel because the feedback is so immediate.
In our beginner group, instructor Landon Rosendale took time to show us basic body postures for successful flight, as well as four hand gestures he'd use to coach us during our wind-tunnel time. The most important thing: Relax, a.k.a., hang loose.
Skyventure provides everything guests need: wild-colored flight suits, goggles, helmets, ear plugs (the wind tunnel is loud) and even shoes. Groups of approximately eight people sit along the tunnel; when your turn's up, you simply “fall” into the tunnel, in what feels a bit like a heart-pumping swan dive. And suddenly, you're flying.
The instructor adjusts your posture — arms in front, legs either more or less bent — until the wind supports your body weight and, as Rosendale puts it, “it's exactly like jumping out of a plane — you cannot feel the difference.”
An intro flight ticket includes two minutes of flight time, split up into two separate flights. While this doesn't seem like a long time, it is. First, it equals approximately three free-fall sky dives. Second, time in the tunnel doesn't equate to natural time — it's a rush, and rushes can't be counted in real seconds.
The second flight is the most fun; once people get the hang of being suspended in the wind tunnel, they get to play. Those who purchased the first-class intro flight ticket receive four minutes of total flight time, which I'd recommend. Either way, the instructor will literally take you to new heights during the second flight: I didn't feel him near me, but I did feel the rush as I rose about 40 feet high, then dropped down — again and again, three times total.
Once you earn your wings, additional flight lessons include fancier tricks — at a preferred customer rate. It's well worth the trip, and the price.
When I arrived, I thought I walked into more than I bargained for: Men in the octagon wind tunnel standing on their heads, flipping over and swinging back and forth in Matrix-type leaps and bounds as David Bowie's “Suffragette City” played in the background. As it turned out, I was watching advanced lessons: Plenty of skydivers practice free falling and stunts in the wind tunnel because the feedback is so immediate.
In our beginner group, instructor Landon Rosendale took time to show us basic body postures for successful flight, as well as four hand gestures he'd use to coach us during our wind-tunnel time. The most important thing: Relax, a.k.a., hang loose.
Skyventure provides everything guests need: wild-colored flight suits, goggles, helmets, ear plugs (the wind tunnel is loud) and even shoes. Groups of approximately eight people sit along the tunnel; when your turn's up, you simply “fall” into the tunnel, in what feels a bit like a heart-pumping swan dive. And suddenly, you're flying.
The instructor adjusts your posture — arms in front, legs either more or less bent — until the wind supports your body weight and, as Rosendale puts it, “it's exactly like jumping out of a plane — you cannot feel the difference.”
An intro flight ticket includes two minutes of flight time, split up into two separate flights. While this doesn't seem like a long time, it is. First, it equals approximately three free-fall sky dives. Second, time in the tunnel doesn't equate to natural time — it's a rush, and rushes can't be counted in real seconds.
The second flight is the most fun; once people get the hang of being suspended in the wind tunnel, they get to play. Those who purchased the first-class intro flight ticket receive four minutes of total flight time, which I'd recommend. Either way, the instructor will literally take you to new heights during the second flight: I didn't feel him near me, but I did feel the rush as I rose about 40 feet high, then dropped down — again and again, three times total.
Once you earn your wings, additional flight lessons include fancier tricks — at a preferred customer rate. It's well worth the trip, and the price.
