Can You Skydive in Winter?

Those who just can’t get enough of the sky (we know how you feel!) often ask: What seasons can you skydive in – can you skydive in winter? Yes! Skydiving during winter can be a beautiful, unique, and exhilarating experience under the right conditions. Winter skydiving requires a little bit of extra gear, planning, and fortitude, but it’s worth it in the end!

Read on if you’re itching to fly and want to know: is it good to skydive in the winter?

Winter Skydiving Weather Conditions to Consider

As anyone who has spent time in the north between October and May knows, winter comes with a unique and challenging set of weather conditions. Snow, sleet, freezing temperatures, rain, wind, you name it, winter’s got it. And an outdoor activity like skydiving requires us to pay close attention to how those conditions might impact our skydive planning.

Clouds, high winds, and rain are all no-gos when it comes to being in the sky. These conditions all pose too high of a risk to make jumping worth it. And the organizations that make the official rules of skydiving agree – we’re not allowed to skydive in that kind of weather. 

But what about winter’s trademark, the cold temperatures. Is it ok to skydive in the cold, and what weather is too cold for skydiving? While there is no official regulation around skydiving and temperatures, the common sense that is used in all outdoor activities applies to skydiving as well. An added consideration for skydiving is that you’re falling through the air at 120 mph (wind chill, anyone?) and you’re doing it thousands of feet above the ground, where temps are even cooler. 

If you’re looking for a number, below 30 degrees starts to get pretty unbearable for skydiving, and you’d have to find a seriously dedicated skydiver to jump in those conditions! 

What to Wear Skydiving in Winter

Dressing for the jump is always a factor, but it gets even more serious in extreme conditions like winter weather. Here’s a list of some things to consider when deciding what to wear skydiving in cold weather:

• Get fleeced – The best material to wear when skydiving in the cold is fleece. It’s thin enough to be one of your layers and has warming properties that will keep the chill away, even on the coldest of skydiving days. Anything approved for skiing is likely to be good for skydiving, too.
• Layers, layers, layers – When it’s really cold, it’s tempting to wear the biggest, bulkiest jacket you’ve got to keep you snuggly warm all day long. But when you’re skydiving, multiple light layers are the best way to stay warm. By wearing lots of thin layers, you create pockets of air which create a warm covering over your entire body.
• Protect your extremities – Your hands and feet can get cold when you’re skydiving. Make sure you protect them by wearing some nice, thick gloves and socks. Glove liners worn on the inside of normal gloves are even better. Just remember that your shoes should have ties, not lace hooks! 

Pros & Cons of Winter Skydiving

As with any big decision, it’s a good idea to look at the pros and cons of skydiving in the winter before committing to jumping in the cold. 

Benefits

The Views

Skydiving views are always incredible. But there’s something to be said for seeing the world blanketed in pure white, the quiet of the season drifting up to meet you thousands of feet above Earth.

A Quieter Dropzone

Winter skydiving isn’t just more chilly, it’s also more chill! The bustling crowds of the summer have died down and everything at the dropzone is a bit calmer. This means you’ll get a real, behind-the-scenes look at the close-knit family vibe that makes skydiving so special to all the people who love our sport.

Bragging Rights

The weather isn’t the only cool thing about skydiving in the winter. Imagine how hardcore everyone will think you are when you tell them that you not only went skydiving, but you did it in the harshest season of all!

Challenges

The Cold

Let’s start with the most obvious, and that’s the temps. While there are definitely ways to deal with the freezing temperatures, being outside in the winter isn’t for everyone. But if you bundle up and take precautions, it’s not so bad!

Unpredictable Weather

Changing weather is something we always have to deal with in an outdoor sport like skydiving, but weather patterns in the winter can be more extreme. This might mean that you have to be a little more flexible when it comes to knowing exactly when you’ll get in the air, but the wait will be worth it in the end.

Where to Skydive in the Winter

Right here! Located east of Atlanta, GA, Skydive Monroe is open year-round. We can make your skydiving dreams come true in every season! Book your tandem today to find out exactly how cool winter skydiving really is!