Last updated: 14 July 2026
The Aerodium wind tunnel in Sigulda lets you feel freefall a few metres above the ground — from €23 for kids and €71 for adults, May to October. A real tandem skydive with Skydive Latvia from 4,000 m costs €249 and gives you about 60 seconds of true freefall at ~200 km/h. In short: the tunnel is a safe introduction and training tool, the jump is the full experience.
Real freefall starts at 4,000 metres — the one thing a tunnel cannot simulate
How does a wind tunnel differ from a real skydive?
In a wind tunnel, a vertical airstream of about 200 km/h holds your body a few metres above a safety net — a flight lasts minutes and can be repeated straight away. In a real jump you leave the aircraft at 4,000–5,500 m and experience 60–90 seconds of freefall, canopy opening and landing.
The physics is the same in both cases — air resistance carries your body. The context differs: the tunnel has no exit moment, no altitude and no parachute phase, but it lets you make mistakes and try again. That is exactly why the tunnel is a great training tool, yet not a full replacement for a real jump.
The sensations differ too: the stomach-drop moment only happens when you exit the aircraft — the tunnel has none of it. On the other hand, the tunnel lets you focus on technique: turns, stability and movement control that a first-time jumper simply has no time to register on a real jump.
If you are still choosing your adventure, browse the overview of adventure activities in Latvia — from karting to hot air ballooning.
What does the Aerodium wind tunnel in Sigulda offer?
Aerodium Sigulda is an open-air vertical wind tunnel at the 47th kilometre of the Riga–Vidzeme highway, about 50 km from Riga. The season runs from May to October, and only thunderstorms stop the flights — rain and wind are fine. Prices in 2026: children under 12 from €23, adults from €71.
The open-air Aerodium tunnel in Sigulda operates from May to October
No prior experience is needed: you get a briefing before the flight, and an instructor accompanies you in the air. Aerodium instructors include world champion Toms Ivans, and the company notes that even Hollywood stars have flown here. Book your slot at aerodium.lv; visiting details are also summarised by the EnterGauja tourism portal.
Aerodium is not only individual flights: there are flying shows with acrobats, group sessions for teams and parties, and a flying school for those who want to fly solo. Dress comfortably and wear closed sports shoes — the flight suit is provided on site.
For a step-by-step description of a Sigulda tunnel flight, see our guide to Aerodium in Latvia.
How does a real tandem skydive work in Latvia?
A tandem skydive with Skydive Latvia takes place at Limbazi airfield, about one hour from Riga. A Pilatus Porter PC-6 climbs to 4,000 m, followed by roughly 60 seconds of freefall at ~200 km/h and a canopy flight down to the landing area. The price is €249.
A certified instructor controls the entire jump — Skydive Latvia is the only centre in the Baltics with USPA and FAI certified instructors. Requirements: at least 16 years old with parental consent (18 to jump independently), weight up to 105 kg and height up to 205 cm. The season runs from April to October.
Online booking takes a €30 reservation — the balance is paid at the airfield. The photo and video package is an optional €89 add-on, not included in the base price.
Preparation is simple: comfortable clothes and closed shoes — the jumpsuit, harness and goggles are provided at the airfield. Before the jump the instructor walks you through the freefall position and landing technique, so no prior experience is needed.
This is what a tandem jump above Limbazi looks like:
Check available dates and the full description on the tandem skydive page.
How much do the wind tunnel and a skydive cost in 2026?
An Aerodium flight costs from €23 for kids and €71 for adults, a tandem skydive from 4,000 m is €249, the Oxygen Jump from 5,500 m is €490, and the full AFF course is €1,790. Skydive Latvia gift cards start at €30 and never expire.
| Experience | Price 2026 | Duration | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerodium flight (Sigulda) | from €23 kids, from €71 adults | minutes in the tunnel, repeatable sessions | May–October |
| Tandem skydive from 4,000 m | €249 (photo/video +€89 optional) | ~60 s freefall | April–October |
| Oxygen Jump from 5,500 m | €490 | ~90 s freefall | April–October |
| AFF solo training course | theory €40, full course €1,790 | 8 levels | groups May–September |
Does the wind tunnel prepare you for a real jump?
Yes, partly: the tunnel teaches body position and stability in freefall, which is why professional skydivers use it for training too. But exiting the aircraft, the sense of altitude, canopy opening and landing can only be learned on real jumps.
In Latvia the two worlds complement each other: Skydive Latvia instructors Sergejs Plotnikovs, Reinis Rutentals and Arturs Lalovs are wind tunnel instructors as well. If your goal is solo jumping, the next step is AFF training — theory costs €40 and the full eight-level course €1,790. AFF requirements are stricter than tandem: at least 18 years old, weight up to 100 kg and a medical certificate.
Who is the tunnel best for, and who should jump?
The tunnel suits children, families and anyone who wants repeatable flying practice without altitude. A real jump suits everyone from age 16 who wants the full experience — altitude, the exit moment and true freefall above the Latvian landscape.
A practical rule of thumb: if a safe first taste of flying or a family activity is the priority, start with the Sigulda tunnel. If you want a gift or an experience to remember for life, choose the jump — the nerves are eased by the fact that the whole jump is controlled by an instructor with more than 3,000 jumps of experience.
Both options work well for groups — stag and hen parties or team events: in the tunnel the group flies one after another and watches each other, while a shared jump morning at the airfield becomes an event for the whole team. We have collected group formats on the group events and parties page.
Is the wind tunnel enough, or do you need a real jump?
If the wind tunnel is a flight simulator, the jump is flight itself. A minute in the tunnel teaches technique, but it cannot replace the moment the aircraft door opens at 4,000 metres. And if 4,000 m is not enough, Skydive Latvia offers the Oxygen Jump from 5,500 metres with supplemental oxygen — the highest civilian tandem skydive in Eastern Europe, with roughly 90 seconds of freefall.
In this video you can see how a tandem jump at Limbazi airfield unfolds — from preparation to landing:
FAQ
What is the difference between a wind tunnel and a real skydive?
In the tunnel the airstream holds you a few metres above a net and a flight lasts minutes; a real jump means 4,000–5,500 m of altitude, 60–90 seconds of freefall and a canopy phase. The tunnel is training and entertainment, the jump is the full experience with altitude and adrenaline.
How much does an Aerodium flight in Sigulda cost?
In 2026 a visit starts from €23 for children under 12 and from €71 for adults. Exact packages and available times are listed at aerodium.lv, as the price depends on the number of flights. The tunnel season runs from May to October.
How much does a tandem skydive cost in Latvia?
A tandem skydive from 4,000 m with Skydive Latvia costs €249, and the Oxygen Jump from 5,500 m costs €490. The photo and video package is an optional €89 add-on. Online reservation takes €30, with the balance paid at the airfield.
What is the minimum age for skydiving in Latvia?
For a tandem jump you must be at least 16 with parental consent; from 18 you can jump independently. The weight limit is 105 kg, proportional to height up to 205 cm. The AFF course requires a minimum age of 18.
When does Aerodium operate and when can you skydive?
Aerodium Sigulda operates from May to October, and only thunderstorms stop the flights. The Skydive Latvia season runs from April to October, and jumps depend on the weather — in unsuitable conditions the jump is moved to another day.
Do the gift cards expire?
Skydive Latvia gift cards have no expiration date — the recipient can pick a convenient date even in the next season. Cards start at €30. Aerodium gift cards, under the company terms, are valid for 100 years.
If the flight or the jump is meant as a gift, the easiest option is a gift card that never expires:
