If you’ve ever thought about skydiving, chances are your imagination jumps straight to the wild part—free falling through the sky at 120 mph. And while that sounds like the hardest part, it actually isn’t. So what is? Surprisingly, the hardest part of skydiving is simply making the decision to do it. Not the jump, not the fall, not the landing—it’s saying “yes” in the first place.
Let’s break it down and talk about what really challenges people in this amazing experience.
Short Answer
The hardest part of skydiving isn’t the jump itself—it’s making the decision to do it and getting past the mental buildup before the leap. The fear peaks just before exiting the plane, but it fades almost instantly once you’re in freefall. After that, the experience is far easier and more exhilarating than most people expect.
Tip: What happens when you skydive through a cloud?
Step 1: deciding to go
This is the moment. You’re looking at the booking page, texting a friend about it, maybe scrolling through skydiving videos. And suddenly, your brain starts throwing out every reason not to do it:
- “What if something goes wrong?”
- “Am I even brave enough for this?”
- “What will people think?”
This mental tug-of-war? That’s the hardest part. Skydiving isn’t just an activity—it’s a mental challenge. Saying yes takes courage.
Tip: If you’re not sure where to skydive, you should check some of our reviews.
Step 2: getting on the plane
Once you’ve booked and you’re suited up at the drop zone, you might think, “Okay, I made it this far, I’m good.” Then the plane starts climbing. Higher and higher. This is where your brain might try one more time to stop you: “Are we really about to jump out of this thing?”
This moment in the plane—especially the last few minutes before the door opens—is a huge psychological hurdle. But here’s the secret: once the door opens, the fear starts to fade.
Tip: Check out The world’s 6 Best Places to Go Skydiving
Step 3: the door and the leap
The hardest few seconds of the actual jump? Right at the edge of the door. You’re looking out, the wind is loud, your heart is racing—and this is where time slows down. You might freeze. You might want to back out. Your brain is on full alert.
But once you leave the plane—it’s all instinct, adrenaline, and pure freedom. That hard moment at the door? It lasts maybe 3 seconds. And then, it’s gone.
Tip: Are you a beginner? Here are 5 safety rules you should know
Everything after that? way easier than expected
People are always surprised by how calm and natural skydiving feels once they’re in freefall. You’re stable. You can breathe. You’re flying—not tumbling or panicking.
Then the parachute opens, and the world goes quiet. You glide. You smile. You’re thinking: “Why was I so nervous?”
Tip: Do you know who invented skydiving?
Final thoughts: the hardest part is behind you before you know it
Skydiving is a personal challenge, but not in the way most people expect. It’s not about being a daredevil or an adrenaline junkie—it’s about being brave enough to take that first step, even if you’re scared.
So what’s the hardest part of skydiving? Choosing to go through with it—and then realizing how much you’re capable of.