Endless Mountain Skydiving

My first experience with Endless Mountain Skydivers was tepid, which unfortunately set the tone for my short-lived afternoon last week. This review is a bit drawn out, but it substantiates my 2 star review by chronicling what I experienced during my first time at EMS.

The pictures on the EMS website and Facebook page feature enthusiastic instructors, excited participants, and an adventurous staff. So, when I arrived at Skyhaven Airport, I was under the impression that the EMS staff was intent on showing their customers a good time, as well as hospitality. The afternoon of our arrival, my husband, cousin, parents, son, and I drove 45 minutes to the airport where we observed a few people hanging out on what appeared to be the spectator deck located just outside of the tiny building. I smiled and waved to the patrons as we passed but they seemed aloof and were unresponsive to our group. Once inside the building, my husband and I stood in the entryway expecting to be greeted but remained unacknowledged by the employees, who were either tinkering with equipment or socializing with each other on the couch. Unsure of who I should report our arrival to, I decided to approach a man who was seated at the computer station to my left. When I introduced myself and stated that I had an appointment for two at 1pm, the man simply stared at me without welcome, greeting, or recognition. He reached for two clipboards and handed the waivers to my husband and me. "Fill these out and let me know when you're done." The man turned on a TV, told us to have a seat, and instructed us to watch a video. Swiveling back to his workstation, the employee turned his back to us without another word.

While the video played, I took the opportunity to gaze around and take in my environment. I noticed that the people who had been on the spectator deck had since stepped inside and I quickly figured out that they were EMS employees. Moments earlier, I had been amped up and completely free of nerves but as I searched for the familiar, smiling faces from the website, I understood that a very different perception was taking place. A smile stretched across my face, I craned my neck around in hopes of catching eye contact for reassurance that today was going to be awesome. The faces that I did recognize now seemed detached and bored, as if it were an inconvenience to be there. As I filled out my waiver, I watched them secure their harnesses with empty enthusiasm, as if this were just another day at the office. They just frowned in silence as they clipped and buckled their suits. I tried to piece together who my instructor would be but suddenly realized that I didn't feel comfortable jumping with anybody in the room. Where was the enjoyment? The customer service? The reassurance that I wasn't going to plummet to my death? Even the little Chihuahua that was running around was grumpy and ran away from anyone who tried to cajole it into coming over.

As I signed my life away, I peered at my family waiting outside on the deck and noticed that one man was happily chatting with my family. The man was harnessed up from head to toe, in good spirits, and seemed to be excited for the adventure to begin. Relieved that SOMEONE was happy to be at work, I wandered out to the deck to become acquainted with whom I had hoped would be in charge of saving my life. Unfortunately, he was not certified to tandem jump and was simply waiting on the pilot so they could check the weather before our jump. I was a bit disappointed, as that ruled out the only person I trusted thus far. Shortly after speaking with him, he departed with the pilot to scope out the weather conditions, which were growing hairier by the minute. The wind had picked up, some clouds were moving in, and there was a 50% chance of storms approaching. For the next hour, we waited without any further interaction from the employees. As the weather guys floated down, the rest of the employees caravanned out to the drop zone where they cliqued beneath the wing of a plane to toss tennis balls for the grumpy Chihuahua. Another smiling couple was approaching the entryway then, and as I watched the computer man turn his back to them, I understood that my experience was not an isolated one. Standing on the deck with my family, I had gone from feeling pumped up to feeling like an inconvenient nuisance. It was then that I wanted to leave EMS and head across the street for some food. In all honesty, I don't think I'd have been missed.

When it was all said and done, the weather was too nasty for my husband and I to jump, so we were offered a refund and a reschedule. Perhaps it was for the best. I accepted the refund and rescheduled the jump for another day, only because I didn't want to lose my deposit. I sincerely hope both the mood and customer service at EMS will be adequately adjusted the second time around since my initial experience as a client was underwhelmingly lackluster.

I live overseas and learned to skydive in Europe 4 months ago. When visiting home in September, I finally got a chance to jump in the U.S., and at a DZ just 20 miles from my mother's house: Endless Mountain Skydivers (EMS).

Tom Cavage, the DZO (with decades of experience), and the instructors there were incredibly welcoming, as were the packers and rigger who patiently helped me try to learn to pack my new rig. Load-organizing is automatic at EMS, and even quite experienced people were excited about jumping with me.

Their refurbished 57-year-old Beech is one of only a handful carrying jumpers in the U.S. It's comfortable and makes you feel like you're in a black & white movie.

Two highlights: they inspected by new rig the same day it arrived, and for free! And after spending a day there and watching me jump for the first time, my mom was so taken by the friendly and professional atmosphere, that she is way more supportive of me skydiving.

Though I only return home once a year, I'm already looking forward to jumping at EMS next summer.

I hadn't jumped for 2 years prior to visiting EMS - and that day with them reminded me of all I loved about this sport. They kindly and patiently made sure I was properly refreshed. Everyone watches out for each other and offers kind suggestions. I immediately felt comfortable and at home there. It's just such a fun, safe environment that I would highly recommend every level of jumper to visit EMS.

These guys and girls are awesome at ems. funny always like to joke but professional at the same time. I was doing AFF training over the summer and the instructors did an awesome job at ground school and freefall training couldn't ask for any better just wish I could have finished my AFF.

Awesome Beauty all around this area and the people here are so great! Got my license here and would recommend to anyone looking to give it a try!

If you wanna become part of this sport this is an excellent place to learn!Everyone makes you feel right at home with top notch coaching and instruction. Everyone looks out for each other, thats the best part.

I started jumping at EMS in 2005. From the very first time I walked into the clubhouse I felt comfortable. Everyone is interested in good times, but always vigilant when it comes to safety. The experience and training atmosphere is great. Plenty of jumpers on both ends of the spectrum so new jumpers don't have to feel intimidated (not that you would here anyhow). If you are in the area visiting or looking for a place to jump regularly, this is the place!

This is the place where Maggot learned how to jump. Should I mention more?

They are a tight group. They are BASE and swoop friendly and did I metion the Twin Beach is AWSOME?

Greeted with open arms by staff members and other jumpers. Assisted with questions regarding DZ policy, landing procedures, and aircraft loading and exiting. Brought a friend along for his first tandum skydive. Both he and his wife had a complete pleasureable experience. He can't wait for the video. Although with the recent flooding we had to take a lot of alternate roads to get there, we made it in plenty of time for his jump. I will definately be bring some of my friends back on my next visit so they too can see why the birds sing!!!

Great dropzone to take your first jump or learn the sport.

I was greeted enthusiastically by the staff the moment I arrived. They were professional and as excited about me making my first jump as I was!

It was the experience of a lifetime. The views of the surrounding area during the jump were fantastic aand when I landed the staff greeted me with smiles, high-fives and pats on the back. I can't think of a better way to have celebrated my 50th birthday. When I remarked to my wife, "what should I do for my 100th", without missing a beat, someone from the staff said "Jump twice!".

I did a Tandem jump with Joe, who is a great instructor. I hope to return to expand on my experience by learning how to jump solo. Thanks EMS Skydiving, you are fantastic!!!

KD McGee

This is an X rated dz, just try it you'll like it.

Best place to learn small drop zone always pros helping you.