Question 1

Are reservations required? How do I make one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, reservations are required so that you show up on our schedule. Reservations are also important to understand relevant information, such as weight limit and to not wear boots!

Tandem Reservations can be made on the Reservations page on our website.

Email notifications are sent out as new dates and times are released. Email notifications are sent only to those on our waitlist.

**Note: If reservations are full and you are traveling through New Mexico on last-minute notice, or it's your last day in town and you just discovered us, feel free to still give us a call. We will usually be able to fit you into the schedule!

Question 2

Do you offer group discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer group discounts for groups of 5 or more which can be found on our homepage. If you have a group of 20 or more, feel free to contact us.

For specialty group events such as large corporate outings, educational events, press/media events, or anything requiring a customized quote due to special requests, please contact us.

Question 3

Is it safe to skydive?

Accepted Answer

The most dangerous part of any skydive, by far, is driving to the drop zone.
In 2021, the fatality rate for driving your vehicle in the USA was 12.9 per 100,000 people in the general population. By comparison, in 2021 the index rate for skydiving in the USA was 0.29 per 100,000 jumps. Those numbers also include the solo experienced skydiver who is pushing the limits too soon for their experience level and then makes a mistake trying to swoop -while landing a perfectly functioning parachute.

The modern equipment that Skydive New Mexico (and most drop zones in the US) use has made skydiving an extremely safe sport, contrary to popular belief.

Skydiving operations also have a much lower aircraft accident rate than general aviation.

However, you are still jumping from an aircraft thousands of feet above the ground, so the sport is not 100% risk-free. It is important to choose a drop zone with experience and expertise. Don't be afraid to ask the drop zone or your Tandem Instructor how many jumps and years experience they have. Beyond that, everyone must decide for themselves if the awesome life experience is worth the risk or not. If you ask our staff, we have all decided it was worth it hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of times with each jump. There truly is only one way to find out why.

If you have any questions or concerns about safety, or are just curious about certain safety aspects, please call or text us at 505-864-7942 or email us at skydivenm@gmail.com

Question 4

What will the skydive feel like?

Accepted Answer

It is not a feeling that can be described with words; the only way to know how awesome it feels is to experience it. But, the sensation of freefall is more of a floating sensation rather than falling, somewhat similar to floating on water or imagine jumping onto a mattress of air. Most people worry they will get a stomach drop like a rollercoaster, but that does not happen with skydiving as you have forward movement from the plane. Most would agree the best way to describe how it feels with words is physical (and mental) freedom, or they would just say "awesome".

Question 5

What is the weight limit?

Accepted Answer

260lbs is the maximum weight we can currently take (as of February 2024) with our current staff and gear.

There is a $25 fee for 200-225 lbs. and $1 per pound beyond that, up to 260lbs.

(***If you are reading this in October 2024 or later, the staff will change and this may not get updated right away, so please call, text, or email us to ask about the weight limit at that time.)

Question 6

What clothing should I wear?

Accepted Answer

You should wear comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the season.  In the winter, we recommend you dress in layers so you can adjust for the temperature of the day. For summer, shorts and t-shirt are fine. Lace up shoes (like tennis shoes) are recommended.  No boots, especially boots with hooks,  and no open toed or slip on shoes (as they tend to fly off in freefall). We will provide you with goggles for your skydive.

Question 7

Do I have to wear clothing?

Accepted Answer

It is strongly recommended.

Question 8

Should I eat before my skydive?

Accepted Answer

Yes! A light meal or snack is recommended.

Question 9

When can I jump?

Accepted Answer

Available dates and times for 2024 will be reflected in the online booking calendar and are released by season. If a date you are interested in is not available, please contact us.

Question 10

What if I'm not seeing the dates I want to book online?

Accepted Answer

If you aren't seeing any available dates when you check online, feel free to sign up for our waitlist. Depending on the timing of when you visit our site, you may not see any available openings displayed. This doesn't mean that we are fully booked, it just means we are fully booked for the upcoming month or two. If you are looking for a specific date or time that is not available, please contact us. We are happy to open additional days, if possible!
 
For special events: 
We will post availability at least a month in advance when we are planning to have a Special Event/Boogie with specialty aircraft and extra tandem instructors/gear, which equals MUCH more tandem skydive availability! Special events will be posted on our Facebook page and email notifications will be sent to those on our waitlist.

Question 11

Is there a cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We require 48 hours notice of cancellation so you don't lose the deposit for your reservation. We can reschedule you right away, or we can hold your reservation for you to decide the new date at a later time.
 
If you need to reschedule or cancel your reservation, please call or text us at 505-864-7942.

Question 12

Can I bring my friends and family to watch?

Accepted Answer

Family, friends & pets (leashes for pets are required) are welcome to come join the fun. Bring as many people as you'd like to watch you jump and they can even take photos of you from the spectator areas. Our facility is an adult playground, so children must be kept under adult supervision at all times..

Amenities in Belen are about a 3 minute drive away, and you may bring snacks and drinks along with you as well.

Question 13

What if the weather is bad on the day I’m scheduled to jump?

Accepted Answer

If the weather does not permit safe jumping, we will reschedule for another time. It’s important to note that weather conditions in Albuquerque are often different than they are in Belen. If the weather forces us to cancel, we will do our best to call you the night before and save you the drive down, if possible. If you are unsure about the weather, you can call or text us at 505-864-7942.

Question 14

What if I'm under 18? Can I have my parents sign for me?

Accepted Answer

Legally, you must be at least 18 years old to skydive. The minimum age for skydiving in the United States is set by the governing body and equipment manufacturer, and cannot be waived or modified by Skydive New Mexico.
 
Call us on your 18th birthday! We would love to help you have the most fun birthday ever!!

Question 15

Do you speak Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Si, se habla espanol.

Fun fact: all of our instructors have experience taking people who are deaf or hard of hearing, so communication barriers are almost always manageable!

Question 16

What if I'm a foreign national?

Accepted Answer

Come jump! While we heavily serve Ciudad Juárez and Northern Mexico, we're proud to serve clients from anywhere across the world. All foreign passports, Mexican ID's/licenses, and foreign government ID's (State ID, Driver's License, Armed Forces Identification, etc.) are accepted.

Question 17

Is there a maximum age limit?

Accepted Answer

Nope! In fact, skydiving has seen ages up to 104, and seeing people jump in their 70's or 80's is not uncommon.

Please note that we cannot give medical advice, and while people of many ages jump, we reserve the right to deny a jump due to health or safety concerns as your safety is the main priority.

Question 18

Do I have to be physically fit to make a tandem skydive?

Accepted Answer

You must be in good health to participate in skydiving activities. If you cannot bend your knees completely, kneel, or sit on your heels easily, you may not be able to do a tandem skydive. If you are concerned about health questions, we strongly advise you to consult a physician before engaging in skydiving activities.

Question 19

What type of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, debit cards and most credit cards.  Credit cards incur a small fee on the card reader. There is no fee for debit cards.

Our card reader at the drop zone does NOT accept American Express.

Question 20

Do the prices listed include all equipment needed to make my skydive?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The prices listed include everything you will need, including the taxes.

Question 21

Can I wear my prescription glasses?

Accepted Answer

Yes! However, if it is possible to enjoy your skydive without them, that is recommended as they could fly off even with the goggles over them.

Question 22

Can I consume alcohol or drugs before my skydive?

Accepted Answer

No. You will not be allowed to skydive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Question 23

How long will it take to complete my tandem jump?

Accepted Answer

Most customers are done within about an hour of arrival for one person. However, we ask that you plan to be with us for 2-4 hours to complete your tandem jump in case of any delays. 
The time you are here can vary and depends upon the day, weather, number of reservations scheduled, and order in which you jump.  Several factors influence the order in which we need to take jumpers, and cannot be determined until that day.

Question 24

I’m going with a group, how many of us can go up on the same plane?

Accepted Answer

Our plane seats 4 passengers total, so we can fit, at most, 2 pairs of tandem jumpers per aircraft depending on the Tandem Instructors.

During our Special Events/Boogies, the specialty aircraft we bring in will fit about 19-21 skydivers. So during a Boogie, groups of 9-10 or less can all fit on the plane at the same time.

Question 25

Can I take my camera or GoPro on the skydive with me?

Accepted Answer

Under no circumstance may a student bring a camera on a skydive. The Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs) mandated by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) prohibits people with less than 200 jumps to wear any camera gear on their person or equipment. Cameras create a snag hazard during parachute opening and are a danger to untrained users and the instructors in that regard. Our video personnel are well trained in the use of their video equipment while jumping.
If you would like to get a video of your tandem skydive, you can schedule that when you make your reservation.

Question 26

Should I tip my instructor or videographer, what is standard procedure?

Accepted Answer

Most people do tip their Tandem Instructor for providing an awesome experience, but tipping is never expected. It is always appreciated, but is not mandatory.

Question 27

Can I get a video of my jump? Can my friends and I be on the same video?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! If you would like a video of your tandem jump, it will cost an additional $115. Be sure to add it to your reservation when you set it up online. If you decided to add it after the fact, please email or call our scheduler as soon as possible. While we will do our best to fulfill video requests made on the day of your skydive, this cannot be guaranteed.
 
For safety reasons, each tandem pair (Instructor & Student) needs to have ample space between them and any other tandem in freefall. Because of this distance, it is not possible to video multiple tandem jumpers at once. So, each person that wants a video of their jump will need to schedule their own.

Question 28

What if I change my mind about Jumping?

Accepted Answer

We will never force you to make a jump, but we do have some policies to keep in mind.
If at any point, prior to boarding the plane, you decide not to jump, just let us know, and we will refund your payment minus the non-refundable deposit.
In the rare event you decide not to jump while you are on the plane, please be advised you will not be refunded for any portion of the jump. Once the plane leaves the ground, we have the significant costs of fuel and plane per hour to cover.

Question 29

What if I have a disability?

Accepted Answer

We believe that skydiving should be accessible to as many people as possible. Those who are paraplegic, suffering from impaired hearing or vision, or enduring similar circumstances are not necessarily prevented from having a safe and enjoyable skydiving experience. Please Contact Us.

Please note that while we make every attempt to accommodate special circumstances, neither Skydive New Mexico or its representatives can provide medical advice.

Question 30

Can I use tandems to learn to skydive solo?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While there are additional steps involved with transitioning to a solo program, tandem jumps are a great and common way to begin your skydiving journey. Tandem skydives also count towards the minimum 25 jumps required to obtain a skydiving license. Some people have done a tandem before and want to do another while taking-on additional responsibility; others want to do a few tandems as a way to slowly ease their way into jumping solo. Please ask your Tandem Instructor, or Contact Us if you would like your skydive to be a "Teaching Tandem".

Question 31

What about special events?

Accepted Answer

Our staff absolutely has experience in working with marriage proposals, commercial filming, celebrities, gender reveals, corporate outings, and group events! For further information, please Contact Us.

Question 32

Can you jump into my event?

Accepted Answer

We would love to! Our staff have jumped into golf courses, football fields, and numerous similar venues with and without colored smoke canisters etc. Due to legal and administrative requirements that depend on the venue, please Contact Us.

Question 33

Can I purchase a Gift Certificate to give to someone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Gift certificates are available for tandem skydives with or without Video and/or Photo Packages, and can be found here.

Question 34

Do you accept vouchers, jump certificates, etc. purchased from booking agencies?

Accepted Answer

No.  We only accept gift certificates purchased directly from us. We also do not accept reservations made through any agency. Please use caution and verify that you are purchasing a Skydive New Mexico gift certificate or making a reservation with Skydive New Mexico. If you are purchasing any type of gift certificate/voucher from a person, you can call us to verify if it is legitimate or not.

Please note that many third party "gift certificates" for skydiving are either scams, or invalid at most drop zones in the United States. All reservations for Skydive New Mexico are made on our website or through a member of our staff.

Skydive New Mexico FAQs