These days a lot of skydiving enthusiasts place emphasis on obtaining the most impressive selfie angle. This is often amidst a blurred or hazy backdrop covered in clouds.
However, in the good old days though the quality of the jump was measured more by the scenery afforded on the descent with or without a selfie.
Imagine those broad and colorful parachutes gliding across an open Montana sky, offering views made for the sport of skydiving. But is it possible to go skydiving in Montana?
Not only is it possible, but you could even complete some training and make your first jump all within a day! The typical season for skydiving is from early April until late October, with some operators offering year-round jumps.
They offer experiences and programs usually featuring ‘Tandem Freefall Skydiving’ or ‘Accelerated Freefall Jumping’. If you’re not entirely sure what any of that is, then read on as we take a closer look at sky diving in Montana.
Top 3 Montana Sky Diving Operations
1. Meadow Peak Sky Diving, Marion
Located in the Lost Prairie Valley in Montana’s Marion, Meadow Peak SkyDiving has demonstrated its dedication to improving its 100-acre skydiving facility (and the events that come out of it) for over a decade now.
Accessible off Highway 2, this entire setup is a well-known and respected operation that continues to demonstrate upgrades on infrastructure, training, and packages offered in line with customer requirements.
Meadow Peak is looming nearby as is an adjoining private airstrip known as Carson Field, which was specifically created for the purpose of skydiving and is where the company operates from. Carson Field is privately-owned with the idea of making available a community skydiving service in the Lost Prairie Valley.
If you are coming to Montana and have the idea of skydiving in mind, then Meadow peak is an excellent place for learning how to dive. It is also an ideal facility for anyone wanting to make a tandem skydive, which is offered throughout the season at either 9000 feet above the ground or 12,500 feet above sea level.
Events and Training Courses
The Lost Prairie Boogie SkyDiving Event has been hosted at Meadow Peak for a decade now, and it typically runs from around August 6th through the 14th. Tandems from 12,500 feet or 16,000 feet above sea level are offered at this event.
The facility offers training courses that allow you to become a licensed skydiver. This involves a 6-hour course on the ground followed by your first dive ever.
Basic but important skills like parachute activation and safe landings are taught and drilled under the supervision of experienced instructors.
2. DZone SkyDiving, Bozeman
DZONE Skydiving is located close to Bozeman with a drop zone up the road in Three Forks. Like any skydiving experience, this one doesn’t necessarily come cheap, but it does provide the opportunity of a worthy once-in-a-lifetime experience, as the GoPro video and photo package offered after the jump demonstrates.
With a skydiving jump from this spot, it’s possible to feel the freedom of the expansive Montana skies while taking in fabulous free-falling views of the Tobacco Root Mountains and the Bridger Range.
The jumping region or ‘drop zone’ is around the Three Forks Airport, where the awe-inspiring beauty of the Gallatin Valley with 360-degree views awaits.
Reports indicate that the seasoned instructors do a great job of making less-experienced jumpers feel comfortable, including the presentation of the talk-through beforehand.
3. SkyDive Whitefish, Whitefish
Tandem skydiving can’t get any more scenic than in the incredibly-picturesque Whitefish.
Set in the Flathead Valley and surrounded by natural landmarks such as Whitefish Lake and Big Mountain, this is the only skydiving operation in Montana offering freefall views of Glacier National Park.
SkyDive Whitefish is as good a place to fall in love with skydiving in Montana as anywhere. The premium picture and video packages are recommended by previous visitors who say the cost is nothing compared to the memory of the experience.
Between the beginning of June and the end of September, the operation is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. All jumps will be dependent on the weather to some degree, and Sunrise and Sunset jumps are available at specific times throughout the season which is posted on the website.
The Bottom Line
Skydiving is a multi-faceted pursuit that offers a fascinating perspective on breathtaking landscapes.
Jumping can encompass lots of different emotions and feelings, from terrified to energized. But the overall experience is always one of awe when being able to take in the view and thrill of the activity.
Without question, Montana is one of the best places to experience skydiving. For those willing to take the plunge, the Treasure State offers up some unforgettable experiences.