If you're an adrenaline junkie, the SkyJump at the Stratosphere Casino and Hotel is one of the great attractions of Las Vegas. Where else can you jump off a building to the ground 855 feet below?
It's not a true freefall like a bungee jump or skydiving, but it's plenty fast, and it's amazing to stand with your toes over the edge of the platform like a pirate about to walk the plank. The circular target far below looks really small, and remains looking small until you're almost at the bottom.
At the SkyJump store near the bottom of the building, you're asked to use a locker to store any loose items in your pocket or elsewhere (even including a wristwatch). You put on a jumpsuit and are then fitted into a very snug harness. A worker leads you to the elevator and accompanies you to the top, where you wait in a small "holding pen" for the jump. When your turn comes, two "jumpmasters" check your harness, hook you up to the cable, ask you to step to the edge of the platform, and do a quick countdown to the jump. I was impressed by the conscientiousness of the jumpmasters. After you jump, the feet-first descent is over all too soon, and you end up at a padded landing site just outside the SkyJump store. Most jumpers remain standing, while a few (including me) fall to their knees on the pad.
Technically, the jump is called a controlled descent or decelerator descent. The jumpmasters attach you to the end of a very long cable, most of which is wound about a large spool. The spool is cleverly constructed with a variable radius -- mostly large, but dwindling to a small radius at one end. As you approach the bottom, the last part of the cable to unwind is on this small section, and that's what slows you down at the last moment. Also, the spool is attached to a fan-like mechanism; the air resistance of this fan limits your top speed to about 40 mph.
The web site refers to a short "safety lesson", but I never received that. Fortunately, it didn't seem to matter.
The brightly colored jumpsuit seems unnecessary, but it makes you a mini-celebrity from the time you leave the store to the time you make the jump. There is usually a crowd of onlookers around the SkyJump area on the 108th floor Observation Deck, and they often ask questions as you're waiting your turn. It's also fun to eavesdrop on the comments from onlookers. ("These people are crazy." "My Lord, I'd never do that.")
My only complaint is that $100 is a little steep for such a brief experience. (If you want a DVD or various other souvenirs, the price is somewhat higher.) Of course, the excitement is not just in the jump itself, but the anticipation of the jump as you get ready and as your turn approaches.
Most people jump promptly at the end of the countdown. Occasionally, a jumper freezes and takes a bit of time before making the plunge. About one person a day "chickens out" altogether.
There is a weight limit of 275 pounds. Because this includes your street clothing and the jumpsuit and harness, your body weight shouldn't exceed about 265. If you're close to the limit, don't indulge in too many all-you-can-eat Vegas buffets before jumping.
The Stratosphere is the tallest building in Las Vegas, and easily visible from most places in the city. After doing the SkyJump, you'll think about it every time you see the Stratosphere in the distance. As the plane was taking off this morning, I was looking out at the Stratosphere and thinking, "Cool -- I jumped off that building last night."