skydivesnohomish.com

Skydive Snohomish describes its team as bringing more than 100 combined years in skydiving, over 31,250 hours in the sky, and 75,000+ combined jumps. The roster includes USPA Coaches, PRO-rated demonstration jumpers, and tandem instructors. If your main question is whether the people strapping you in have real depth behind them, the site's own numbers and credentials point to a highly experienced staff.

The team's experience in numbers

Skydive Snohomish presents its staff credentials as a group total rather than individual résumés:

These are cumulative team figures, not averages per instructor. The site does not break them down by individual, so treat them as an overall signal of staff depth rather than a per-person guarantee.

Credentials you can verify

The team page names specific ratings and roles, which are the concrete things to look for when judging a drop zone:

• USPA Coach — a formal instructional rating within the U.S. Parachute Association system.
• PRO Rated Demo Jumper — a demonstration-jump rating, typically held by jumpers with advanced skill and currency.
• Tandem Instructor — the rating required to take first-time students on tandem jumps.
• S&TA — Safety & Training Advisor, a USPA role tied to safety oversight at the drop zone.

One named example is Bill Kelly, listed as S&TA, USPA Coach, PRO Rated Demo Jumper, and Tandem Instructor, with a first jump in 1995. His advice to first-timers: "Breathe in and breathe out. Try to take it all in but know you will miss something."

What this means for a first-time jumper

For a tandem student, the practical takeaway is that the instructors hold the ratings that matter for taking you on your first jump, and the drop zone has a designated safety and training role on staff. The site also states the center has been jumping over the Snohomish River Valley since 2000 and hosts nearly 20,000 tandem students and experienced skydivers each year — volume that generally correlates with instructors staying current.

Two caveats worth keeping in mind:

• The 100+ years and 75,000+ jumps are team totals, so they don't tell you the experience level of the specific instructor you'll be paired with.
• The site does not publish per-instructor jump counts or currency, so if matching with a particular instructor matters to you, ask when you book.

How to check further before booking

• Ask which instructor you'll be jumping with and how many tandem jumps they've completed.
• Confirm current USPA ratings and recent jump currency for that instructor.
• Use the drop zone's location as a practical factor too: it lists Seattle at 20 miles, Everett at 9, Bellevue at 24, and Tacoma at 58.

Bottom line: the published credentials — USPA Coach, PRO demo rating, tandem instructor, and an S&TA on staff — plus the team's cumulative totals support the claim of an experienced team. For your own jump, the one number the site doesn't give you is your specific instructor's experience, so that's the question to ask directly.

Skydive Snohomish is a skydiving center in Washington State, located about 20 miles from Seattle, that has been operating over the Snohomish River Valley since 2000. It offers tandem jumps for first-timers, a learn-to-skydive path, and services for experienced skydivers, and it describes itself as "Seattle's Premier Skydiving Center." If you're looking for a place to make a first jump near Seattle, or you're an experienced jumper seeking a drop zone in the region, this is the operator the page is describing.

Where it is and who it serves

The center sits roughly 20 miles from Seattle, with the site listing nearby distances that make the location practical for much of the Puget Sound region:

The page frames the location as convenient and the setting as scenic, citing views over the Snohomish River Valley.

What it offers

The site organizes its services around three main audiences:

• First skydive (tandem) — the entry point for people with no prior experience, jumping with an instructor.
• Learn to skydive — a progression path for those who want to move beyond a single tandem jump.
• Experienced skydivers — services for licensed jumpers, alongside aircraft lease and private events.

It also lists facilities, services and amenities, photos and video, gift cards, and charitable donations among its offerings.

The team and experience behind it

The page emphasizes staff experience as a differentiator. It states the team has:

• 100+ years in skydiving
• 31,250+ hours in the sky
• 75,000+ combined skydives

One team member highlighted is Bill Kelly, described as an S&TA (Safety and Training Advisor), USPA Coach, PRO-rated demo jumper, and tandem instructor, with a first jump in 1995. The site says the team handles nearly 20,000 tandem students and experienced skydivers each year.

What to expect as a first-timer

The site points first-time jumpers toward a "What to Expect" section, tandem class status, and FAQs. One instructor's advice quoted on the page for nervous first-timers: "Breathe in and breathe out. Try to take it all in but know you will miss something." A customer review from Leo Cohen describes the facilities as "top of the line," the training as great, and the instructors as "awesome."

Practical next steps

If you're deciding whether to jump here, the page directs you to check tandem class status, review prices and discounts, and read the FAQs before booking. Booking is handled through a "Book Now" option on the site, and the center can be reached at 360.568.7703. For current rates, availability, and any requirements, check the site's prices and class status pages directly, since those details aren't specified in the material summarized here.

Skydive Snohomish is in Snohomish, Washington, about 20 miles from Seattle. The drop zone sits over the Snohomish River Valley, and the drive from most Puget Sound cities is short enough for a day trip. If you're coming from Everett, Marysville, Redmond, Bellevue, or Seattle, you can reach the center in roughly 9 to 24 miles. Farther cities like Tacoma, Bellingham, Olympia, and Wenatchee are also within a reasonable drive for a planned visit.

Distance from Nearby Cities

The center lists these straight-line reference distances, which are useful for estimating your trip:

These are point-to-point distances, not driving distances, so add time for traffic, especially if you're crossing the Seattle metro area during rush hour.

Getting There

The website provides a Contact Us page and a Directions page under its Contact menu. Use those for the exact address and turn-by-turn routing, since the site does not publish a street address in the content available here. Enter the destination into your preferred maps app and confirm the route before you leave.

If you're flying in, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the closest major airport, and the center is roughly 20 miles from Seattle. You'll still need ground transportation to reach Snohomish.

Why the Location Matters

Being 20 miles from Seattle makes Skydive Snohomish a practical choice for a first jump or a repeat visit without an overnight stay. The center has been operating over the Snohomish River Valley since 2000, with aviation roots dating to the 1940s, and it hosts nearly 20,000 tandem students and experienced skydivers each year. The views over the valley are part of the draw.

Before You Go

• Call ahead: The listed phone number is 360.568.7703. Use it to confirm hours, weather status, and whether you need an appointment.
• Check the Class Status page: The site has a "Tandem Class Status" link, which suggests scheduling or availability can change. Check it before making the drive.
• Book in advance: The site has a "Book Now!" option, so reserving your slot is the expected path rather than walking in.
• Plan for the full trip: Skydiving involves check-in, training, the jump, and debrief, so budget more time than just the drive.

If you're deciding whether the trip is worth it from your city, the distance table above is the fastest way to judge. For anything within about 25 miles — Everett through Bellevue — it's an easy half-day outing. From Tacoma or Bellingham, plan it as a dedicated trip and confirm your booking first.

Your first tandem skydive at Skydive Snohomish means you jump attached to a licensed instructor, with no prior experience required. The center is about 20 miles from Seattle and has operated over the Snohomish River Valley since 2000. Tandem is the primary option for first-time jumpers, and the team includes USPA Coaches and PRO-rated tandem instructors.

How the Tandem Option Works

Tandem skydiving pairs you with an instructor who manages the equipment and the jump. You are attached to the instructor for the exit, freefall, and canopy ride. This is the standard path for someone with no skydiving background, and it is listed on the site as the "First Skydive" option.

The site also lists a separate "Learn To Skydive" path and a section for "Experienced Skydivers," so tandem is not the only route — but it is the one built for a first jump.

What the Team Brings

The instructor group is described as having 100+ years in skydiving, 31,250+ hours in the sky, and 75,000+ combined skydives. One named instructor, Bill Kelly, is listed as an S&TA (Safety and Training Advisor), USPA Coach, PRO-rated demo jumper, and tandem instructor, with a first jump in 1995.

His advice for first-timers, quoted on the site: "Breathe in and breathe out. Try to take it all in but know you will miss something."

The General Flow of a First Jump

The site does not publish a step-by-step schedule, so the sequence below reflects how tandem jumps are typically structured. Confirm the exact timing when you book.

1. Check-in and paperwork — you register and sign the required documents.
2. Briefing and training — an instructor walks you through body position, exit, and landing. The site's review quote specifically calls the training "great."
3. Gear-up — you are fitted into a harness and attached to your instructor.
4. Aircraft ride — you climb to altitude with your instructor.
5. Exit and freefall — you leave the aircraft attached to the instructor.
6. Canopy ride and landing — the instructor flies the parachute and handles the landing.

What Reviewers Emphasize

A Google review from Leo Cohen describes jumping with Skydive Snohomish for a one-year anniversary: "All of the facilities are top of the line, training is great and most importantly the jump instructors are AWESOME." The reviewer recommends it for anyone who has never jumped.

That aligns with the site's own framing — "Professional, Passionate, Personal" — and its claim of nearly 20,000 tandem students and experienced skydivers per year.

Location and Access

The center is 20 miles from Seattle. Listed distances:

Before You Book

• Pricing is not published in the material available here. The site has a Prices page and a Prices & Discounts link, so check those directly rather than assuming a rate.
• Class status matters. The menu includes a "Class Status" link — check it, since weather and scheduling affect whether a slot runs.
• Gift cards and booking are both offered through the site.
• Photos and video are available as a separate service ("Photos & Video / Priceless Moments") if you want the jump documented.

If you have never jumped and want the simplest entry point, tandem is the option to book. If you are unsure, the site's own FAQ and "What to Expect" pages are the next stop.