Inside Skydiving: Why Does Winter End the Skydiving Season?
If you’ve ever wondered why skydiving is a seasonal sport in Canada, you’re not alone. Many first-time jumpers are surprised to learn that even though our aircraft can fly year-round, skydiving itself becomes increasingly challenging once winter rolls in. Long story short, it's bloody cold!
At Airborne Petawawa, our season typically wraps up in early November, and for good reason. For this current 2025 season, we intend to stay jumping until Nov 2nd. Here’s what really happens when the temperature drops and why safety (and comfort!) take priority.
COLD AT ALTITUDE IS EXTREME
On the ground, a crisp fall day might feel manageable. But at 12,500 feet, the altitude where we jump, the temperature can easily drop to –40°C before factoring in the 120 mph wind chill you experience in freefall.
For someone doing their very first jump, that kind of cold can make the experience surprisingly uncomfortable, and even painfully distracting. Even with all the adrenaline that comes with jumping out of a plane, the moment the door opens, the temperature drop hits like a wall. It’s a full on cold shock.
As a tandem instructor, I don’t have quite the same adrenaline rush as a first-timer, which means I feel that cold even more. By the time we’re in freefall, I’m usually clenching my gloved hands into fists and tucking in behind my passenger, trying to shield myself from the wind. They take the brunt of it first, and I curl up as small as I can behind them, survival mode! In the middle of summer, we’re praying for that door to open for the sweet relief of cool air. In winter? We’re dreading it.
MOISTURE AND PARACHUTES = NO BUENO
Once snow starts falling, the challenges don’t stop at the runway, they follow us all the way to the packing mat. Wet or muddy ground means our gear can’t dry properly, and that’s a big deal in skydiving. Our parachutes, containers, and harnesses are made from specialized materials designed to handle incredible stress in freefall, but not moisture.
When the landing area is soaked, snowy, or wet in any way, it becomes nearly impossible to keep equipment clean and dry. Even a little dampness can affect the integrity of the gear. Over time, water exposure can degrade the nylon (the material used for parachutes), cause corrosion on metal hardware, and even lead to mold if parachutes are packed wet or stored in a damp space.
| “Parachutes love altitude, not humidity.”
Drop zones take special care when storing gear over the winter for these reasons. A temperature-controlled, dry environment is ideal, always. The same goes for packing parachutes, whether they’re being stored for an hour, a week, or a whole season.
That’s why, once the wet season and cold hit, it’s time to call it for the year. Keeping our equipment in top shape ensures that when spring returns, every parachute opens beautifully, every rig is in great shape, and every jump starts with confidence.
Want to learn more about tandem skydiving? Purchase a gift card for the 2026 season HERE!
WHAT ABOUT THE GUCCI WAGON?
Even though skydivers might tap out when winter hits, our aircraft doesn’t have to. Our jump plane, a Cessna 182, is a workhorse, but like any carbureted piston engine, it doesn’t love the cold.
| "Custom winter fronts turn our cold-soaked Cessna into a year-round machine."
The 182’s O-470 engine relies on airflow to mix fuel and air properly inside the carburetor. In frigid temperatures, that air becomes dense, the fuel doesn’t atomize as efficiently, and the risk of carb icing increases, especially at partial power settings like descent or taxi. Cold air also keeps oil thick longer, which can make start-ups harder and temperature management trickier in flight.
To help counteract that, we’ve equipped our aircraft with custom made winter fronts, specialized covers that control how much air enters the cowling. These act like a heavy duty wind block for the airplane, helping it maintain proper engine temperature and airflow balance in freezing conditions. With them, the Gucci Wagon can comfortably fly all winter long for maintenance flights, ferry runs, or pilot training, even when jump operations are shut down.
In short: while the skydivers might be grounded, our airplane stays ready to fly! She's always ready for a random warm day (above 0 here in Canada) during the long white winter.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Snowboarding, skiing, or even trying an indoor wind tunnel, there are plenty of ways to stay active and ready for the new season. And you can still share the thrill of freefall with someone you love. Our limited edition holiday gift cards are the perfect way to give the gift of pure joy, adrenaline, and unforgettable views. Each card comes in a special keepsake box, ready to hang on the tree or tuck under it!
Because the best gifts aren’t things you keep, they’re moments you’ll never forget.
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