What caught our attention about Skydive West Edmonton – besides the incredible rush of skydiving – was their friendly and accommodating team. Everyone we spoke with mentioned feeling comfortable and welcomed from the moment they arrived until they left, no matter their level of experience.

On that note, we found a big chunk of their clientele are first-timers, and they’re all buzzing about how awesome it was. 

We think it’s impressive how the instructors and tandem partners manage to calm nerves and boost confidence. In turn, many mentioned how making that jump felt like a breeze and how they felt safe at all times.

We also think it’s great that Skydive West Edmonton has a skydiving school, which is great if you’re itching to go solo but haven’t got the skills or certificate yet. 

What we found neat is they customize the training schedule to fit your schedule, instructor availability, and the best weather conditions. Finish the course, and you’ll score a Solo Certificate and Certificate of Proficiency to mark your progress. 

The Tandem Accelerated Freefall (TAFF) to Solo Certificate package is $2959.00 + GST, covering gear rental, CSPA membership, and the CSPA solo license fee. While it may seem pricey, we think it’s worth it, given the inclusions and Skydive West Edmonton’s expertise. 

Just a heads up, if you’re just up for a jump, remember that the $50 deposit is non-refundable if you decide to cancel. Our tip? Give them a shout 24 hours beforehand and see if you can reschedule.

All in all, we believe Skydive West Edmonton is a top recommendation for first-time jumpers, especially if those pre-jump jitters are still tagging along.

Edmonton Skydive kicked off back in 1985, being one of the first skydive spots in Western Canada and the pioneer in Alberta. Now, they offer several packages to pick from, like group deals, tandem jumps, solo dives, and even a skydiving school.

We like that they’ve got a virtual tour right on their website where you can scope out their skydive center. We thought this was a handy feature, especially if you’re not sure what to expect—you can check out their facilities, aircraft, office, and drop zones all from the comfort of your couch. 

It’s also convenient that they’re only about a 35-minute drive from the north side of Edmonton city limits. So, no need to clock in too much travel time before you’re ready to leap.

On the downside, we did stumble upon a few reports about rescheduling bookings, even for folks who planned and booked two weeks in advance. It’s something to keep in mind while planning your skydiving adventure. 

Lastly, we’re glad to hear that their minimum age for skydiving is 14 years old (you need a parent or legal guardian to sign off and be there on jump day). It’s a plus in our books, especially since some spots make you wait until you’re at least 16. 

Next on our list is Alberta Skydive Central. What’s neat about this spot is they offer tandem skydiving, plus they do one of the highest jumps in Canada, soaring at 13,000 to 14,000 feet above ground. 

Another standout is their facilities, like a restaurant serving meals and snacks, a bar for your beverage needs, and an entertainment area in case the weather decides to play spoilsport. Plus, their spacious skydive training room is all set to welcome and accommodate an influx of jumpers.

We also found that they offer group rates starting from as few as two people, which is pretty neat if you’re looking to score a good deal. From what we’ve gathered, you can save around $20 per person with their group rates. 

And if you’re planning a big outing, like a corporate event, they’re open to discussing even better deals. 

But we’re a bit iffy after we’ve heard some feedback about their pre-jump training feeling a bit rushed, which can leave first-timers feeling a tad more nervous than expected. 

We think initiating asking questions or raising concerns is a good idea if you find the training moving faster than you’d like. 

Despite the minor hiccups, we can’t deny that Alberta Skydive Central has built up quite the reputation for their tandem skydives – they’ve got a solid following among beginners and repeat clients alike.

Now, let’s chat about Eden North – they’ve been around since ’89, holding the title as Western Canada’s longest-running drop zone and one of the top dogs in the skydiving school game. 

We appreciate that they use training systems developed with input from the Canadian Sport Parachute Association’s top instructors and the training personnel from the Canadian Forces SkyHawks. Plus, they offer lessons for freeflying, wingsuiting, flying formations and even base jumping. 

Here’s the lowdown from our research – Eden North is sprawled across 160 acres, complete with its very own airstrip, camping facilities, and food concession. So, no need to worry about grabbing a bite elsewhere, especially if you find yourself waiting around before or after your jump. 

But here’s the downer, they’re only open from May to September, and just on Saturdays and Sundays. So, if you’re eyeing a specific date, you’ll need to do some planning and booking ahead to snag your spot before it fills up.

We also noticed that they’re slightly pricier than other places. A tandem skydive with them will run you about $385, which is roughly $30 to $50 more than what most places on our list are charging. 

Regardless, we’re still giving Eden North a thumbs up for skydiving. Their instructors bring heaps of experience to the table, and their facilities are pretty stellar.