Gamblers who lose at the tables may want to climb up to the top of the Stratosphere and take a nosedive from the observation deck. On April 20, their dreams will come true, only they’ll live to tell the story.
The Stratosphere opens SkyJump Las Vegas, a thrill ride described as a controlled freefall. Riders plummet 855 feet at a scream-inducing speed of up to 40 miles per hour. SkyJump takes the Guinness World Record for the highest controlled freefall.
The adventure starts with a short safety lesson, followed by donning a custom jumpsuit equipped with a safety harness. Then the rider gets hooked up to a high-speed “descender” machine and led to the edge of a small platform where they leap out and plunge down the 108 stories of the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.
Guide wires keep riders from straying off course. Just before reaching the rapidly approaching ground, the machine slows the rider down for the landing. Those who manage to keep their eyes open get an astonishing view of The Strip.
Only six to 10 jumpers make the leap every hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
SkyJump joins a handful of thrill rides at the Stratosphere. Big Shot shoots passengers straight up 160 feet at 45 miles per hour until they are 1,081 feet above The Strip. X-Scream is a giant teeter-totter that propels you 27 feet over the edge of the tower. Insanity, the Ride extends a massive mechanical arm 64 feet over the edge of the tower and spins you at a force of 3 Gs.
Jumps cost $99.99. For tickets and reservations, call 1-800-99-TOWER.
