Skydive the Ranch

Everyone is awesome here– great vibes. Jumped with Scott for my 2^nd time and had a blast! Can’t wait to go again.

Talked to Emma on the phone, got amazing information and she was so polite. Planning on getting my certification soon at the ranch! Excited to make it happen. Thanks Emma and the ranch team! See you soon blue skies always!

These guys are the absolute best. You feel so safe and so comfortable and confident with the instructors. I had John and he could not have been any better. It was an unreal experience and I will definitely be coming back

This review is directed at the instructors and videographers at this facility. I had Steve «Utah» Webbz (Tandem Master) as my instructor and Laci Andacs as my videographer. When I first met Utah — I though he was like a crazy uncle with a bit of a screw loose but he was the most confident, reassuring, and pleasant instructor I could have asked for. He walks you through each step of the process and I felt 100 percent safe and secure the entire time.
When you arrive, you check in the front with your signed waivers and pay. They will ask if you want to add a video/​pictures. (I highly recommend this) You check in with the «guy with the clipboard» who will make sure you watch the safety video, get a run down by their staff, and assigns you into the schedule of flights. This process is a bit chaotic and I did not get to fly with my entire group but this was in order to allow as many people to get the video as possible.
You get harnessed in the main area then your group walks to the tent where your harness gets tightened. You get clipped into your Tandem Master in the plane. The entire time, Utah explained what was going on and what he was doing. I also had a GoPro chest mount and he adjusted it to make sure the pics/​video I was getting were the best and adjusted it throughout the skydive.
Once at altitude, things go by pretty fast as you walk to the door hold onto the shoulder straps and leave the plane! Keep your head up and enjoy the ride — Remember to breathe as all that air rushes past you!
The scenery is amazing and I hear you can see the NY skyline on clear/​non hazy days. The views of the mountains I had were stunning as well.
Landing was soft and I’m pretty sure I didn’t even touch the ground. I jumped up and exclaimed wanted to do it again!
I got my video/​picture DVD within 30 minutes of landing and they let you try it out in the gift store to make sure it works.
The facility is nice with plenty of seating to watch everyone land in either shade or sun. Bathrooms were clean and there were plenty of them. There is a gift shop on the second level.
You get a certificate you completed the jump as well as bumper sticker.
Timing: We were scheduled for an 11:00am jump. (Get there 30 minutes early) We were done with videos in our hand by 1:00/1:15
Super fun day — Highly recommended!

Absolutely as awesome as you think it would be! These guys are true pros and they definitely know what they are doing and know how to make a beginner feel comfortable. My tandem jump was with Steve who is by far the most amazing person you could ever want to jump with. This guy has thousands of jumps under his belt and is the definition of a true professional. I couldn’t have felt more at ease if I was watching on a flat screen in my own living room. He talked me through every step and everything that I was going to see with utmost care and made me feel like I was just taking a flight with any other type of pilot because that’s what he is. A PILOT. I even got to take control of the «reigns» (I don’t know if that’s what they’re called) and steered myself for a bit on my way down. One full minute of free fall from 13,500 ft and then an incredible ride down to the Landing Zone. Amazing views of my hometown (I saw my house!) and the beautiful Hudson valley. You will never get to see these views from any other type of area attraction. WELL WORTH the cost and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Thanks to everyone at The Ranch for doing what they do so well. I would highly recommend this to others.

Normally I don’t take the time to write a review unless the experience is a five star or a one star.
This place was absolutely a five star experience and therefore I would like to take the time to give recognitions to John K. (instructor) Big Jim (camera man) and the facility as a whole.
The Environment was friendly and laid back, which is great especially when the activity you are about to embark on is this scary, nerve wracking, daunting, worrisome etc.
It is just unnatural to voluntarily jump out of a perfectly good, working air craft without thinking about the fact that you can plummet to your death.
Since this was a birthday surprise (and surprise and in shock I was!) also my first time, imminent death was ALL I could think about whilst I was still on the ground preparing for the jump. Which is why I am super glad that John was my instructor. He was excellent at keeping me calm not only by walking me through every detail of the experience, but also by being friendly, professional and truly passionate for the sport.
I adored him! Thanks a MILLION!
Also I’d like to take the time to give recognitions to Big Jim he was absolutely the best! I can watch my video and photos 1000x and 1000x it will put a smile on my face. I love my video and photos. Thanks Big Jim!
Less than a week and I already want do it again!

This tandem skydive was a birthday gift for my husband on 7^th of July. When I started to search skydiving places around New York I was a little frustrated! Many of them tried to push me to buy a deals right on the phone in my first 5 min! It’s crazy! I don’t like any kind of pressure! Then, I called to Skydive the Ranch, really nice reception lady answer all of my questions, she talk like a friend idk! No pressure at all!!! Very polite!!! I immediately fall in love with those service and made a reservation for two!)))))
When we came there, everything was perfectly fine! The weather is a btch! I guess u heard about that!) so it started a rain shower, we waited a little… It was ok! The stuff is also very friendly and professional! My instructor was Jerry! I felt really safe with him, and not nervous! My husband’s instructor Eric (Im not sure :-/​) also did a great job! Thank u Jerry and Eric! Also thank u Greg, who’s watch our 5 month old babygirl while a crazy young parents was skydiving, it was really helpful!))) and thank u for our amazing video Igor’!!! I’m so glad we record everything! Including a birthday cake on the ground!!!
Our experience was awesome! I was satisfied with everything! Highly recommended!

I am hooked after my first jump! Instructor Utah is an inspiration and made me extremely comfortable with the whole process of falling out of a plane at 13,000 ft. The Ranch is a great place to tandem as well as get your certification as they are very professional. I will be back.

A Brand New Person!
This is the ultimate destination for a first jump!
1. Great Staff — superb customer service all around
2. Experienced Instructors — Over 5700 jumps! (cheers to Jerry and Danish)
3. Super fun Atmosphere — you simply feel like I am a part of a family
4. Thorough Instructions on what to do while in the air
5. Get the video — this is a MUST! :)
I am Officially hooked. I will come back any time!
Special thanks to video guy — Jack!
Ready to transform by pushing your limits — go to the RANCH!

My boyfriend and i decided we wanted to go skydiving so the first thing we did was google places near the city. We chose skydive the ranch for a few reasons. 1) because it was an easy bus and taxi ride compared to the more complicated transportation involved with some of the places in jersey and long island we came across. 2) their planes go to 13.5k feet compared to 10k like some other places. 3) they had high ratings. When we got there we knew right away that we made the right decision. The staff was super friendly and reassuring to us about the safety of jumping and coached us through the process while we were still on the ground. Our tandem jumpers (eric and jerry) were consummate professionals from takeoff to landing and our videographers did and excellent job of capturing everything on photo and video. I would 100% recommend skydive the ranch to anyone who asked me about a good place to skydive

Fly baby fly!
I’ve done 2 jumps with STR and it’s one of the greatest experiences EVER. Your adrenaline is pumping from the moment you arrive and the excitement is in the air. After watching the instructional video and signing your life away you suit up (cooler than Barney Stinson bcz it’s neon) and go over the essentials with your tandem instructor.
For my first jump I did the pic & vid package but skipped it for the second. This summer I’ll be camping out there for a weekend so I can become certified to jump on my own. I’ve noticed it’s better to jump in middle of summer on a super hot day with no moisture in the air. I say this bcz during my last jump it was chilly and moist and during the freefall it felt as though water was going up my nose (I LOATHE that sensation).
Overall, it’s a great experience and a great place.

Jumped with John today. I promised my son I’de take him for his 18^th birthday. I kept my promise. I’m really afraid of heights but did it anyway. John made me feel comfortable and safe by explaining everything that was happening before it did. It was the most serene experience I’ve ever had. The staff was awesome. We waited about ³⁰⁄₄₀ minutes for our jump, but we watched some landings and that was entertaining and took the edge off. I say go for it. There was absolutely no fear which was extremely unusual for me. Can’t wait to go back and do it again!

Skydiving at this place was seriously the most fun I’ve ever had! I went skydiving yesterday for the first time, to celebrate my best friend’s chemotherapy graduation!
I was really nervous and almost too scared to follow through but my instructor, John, was awesome and made the experience way less scary and way more exciting. He thoroughly explained what was going on and helped me feel in control and very safe!
All I can say is: New addiction!

My friend invited me to go and the second time he asked me I said sure why not. The crew over there is so cool and know how to make it fun especially if you’ve never skydived before. Trust me, you will get hooked, and its soooooooo worth it. I jumped with Adam there and he did a great job helping me enjoy the jump.

Three words: GO FOR IT!
A bunch of us went this morning for my birthday and I am so sad that it’s over! I want to go back ASAP!!! Highly recommend going with these guys! They take great care of you and make sure you feel safe and that you trust them. This was part of my bucket list and it was SO WORTH IT. I had Eric N. and he was the best. I was a bit nervous but he made me feel at ease. They’re so chill and fun to be around! These guys know what they’re doing so I would definitely recommend that you go here if you want to go tandem skydiving for the first time. :)

If you’ve never been skydiving, I definitely recommend it. Everyone has to go at least once in their lifetime. It’s an experience you will never forget. It’s beyond anything you’ve ever experienced — it’s the next level.
I’m not going to talk much about skydiving itself because you can find full details of it anywhere on the internet. Safe to say, I absolutely loved it, and I absolutely want to go again. That said, I want to say that the staff and tandem instructors at this venue are amazing. They are very experienced and they care about your safety 100%. First you will have the opportunity to watch other solo and tandem skydivers land. This is crucial so you know what to expect. After some time, you will have someone who rounds up the group for your payload and give you basic skydiving instructions (after loosely being fitted with the harness). Then you will head to the runway to prepare for boarding where your harness will be tightened. Each person receives full individual attention with utmost care.
From there, you will meet your tandem instructor. This person is responsible for your life, so you must trust them. You will be connected to him for the entire experience as soon as you sit inside the plane, so carefully listen to his instructions. He will once again check your harness and make any adjustments necessary. One thing to note: forget about personal space and privacy at this point. You are jumping out of an airplane at ~13,000ft. There is no such thing as personal space in skydiving. The harness might be slightly uncomfortable, but this is necessary. After some pep talk, you will board the plane and given more instructions therein for the jump. The rest is history.
Thank you Paul, Ronnie, and my tandem instructor Eric for doing a marvelous job. Despite it being unexpectedly cloudy/​rainy the day I jumped (which caused some unavoidable pain — tip: don’t jump in cloudy weather), I still completely enjoyed it, and would go back here on a sunny day!

Oh my GAWD,.one of the best experiences of my LIFE. just went this morning and everyone was sooo professional and
was such a serene atmosphere, the whole place had a GREAT vibe… loved it, loved, loved it!!! After I landed I even had 5 different employees come over to me and just start talking to me bonding with me like I was a part of their family, I have never ever experienced anything like it. each one just came over at different times and struck up conversations with me like I was a good friend they have known
you self a favor and just go, I can’t wait to go again, hopefully in a month. love these guys.
Vinny Murry

The Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeest experience ever!
Went there on May 17, 2014. and if you guys are reading this dont waste your time and go!!!
Always wanted to do it and finally got some courage and did it!!! FUN FUN FUN! did I mentioned FUN?
I had my tandem jump with Adam. He is easy going, assertive and his experience makes you feel safe.
He makes sure you to brake it down to lame terms so normal people like me understands what to do and dont freak out int the middle of the jump.
Once you are up in the air relax and let the fun begin!!! Trust me you will come down with the biggest smile ever!
I got the video package, It could be a lil expense but its your jump! highly recommend it you get it.
I’m already planing to go back with my family!!! and eventually get my license :)

Highly recommended!!!
These guys definitely know what they’re doing. Your safety is their #1 concern. I had the pleasure to do a tandem with Steve «Utah» who was totally awesome. He made feel completely safe and secure the entire time. For those who wear contacts, make sure your goggles are worn tightly. I’m already looking forward to my next skydiving experience at this place.

If you want to die, or get horribly injured, this is the place! LITERALLY!!! Just do some web search history…
Despite better judgement, I came here to complete my certification for my A license. My ground instructions were explained thoroughly and very well. The instructor specifically said «here in Gardiner, we have the third smallest landing field in the country. So on some days, when the plane is full, we will make a U-​turn to let the final jumpers out, so they can be closer to the drop zone.» Also, as a student, you are given a one way radio so the spotter (during my jump it was Will) on the ground can direct you as you land. So my first (and only) jump for the day, was a coached jump, to assess my skill level. We were the last ones out of a full plane, so while I was expecting the plane to make a U-​turn, instead the instructor had me stare down and locate the drop zone from the plane, which took another 30+ seconds. By that point we were way too far from the drop zone, especially for a student jumper whose never jumped there before, but, with the instructors signal, we jumped.
After successfully completing my in-​air instructions, I deployed the parachute. Once deployed I was on my own. Frantically looking for the drop zone, I couldn’t find it. Eventually I noticed other parachutes landing and realized just how far I really was. I tried to balance myself and make my way towards the ranch. After about ten seconds, Will (the spotter on the ground) begins speaking with me on the one-​way radio. He tells me to flare, turn 90 degrees right, then 180 left, etc… Makes me kill altitude rapidly, while facing a completely different direction from the ranch. Me, not knowing any better as a student, I decided to listen to the instructor, I figured maybe he knew something I didn’t. As he was frantically yelling at me through the radio to keep turning. Every time I tried facing towards the ranch or any safe area, he would shout on the radio «TURN 90 DEGREES! TURN NOW!». Maybe he was seeing something I didn’t? I figured his years of experience as an instructor must outweigh my novice experience.
But then, when I was at approx 1500 ALT, I heard Will say «hey, I don’t see you at all at this point, I have confused you with another jumper in the air, you’re on your own, find a grassy area to land and we will come pick you up»… So immediately I start looking around but it was too late, all I saw was trees. The only possible semi-​clear landing area was a construction area for a newly built house (which currently had no workers on the site, it was Sunday). I tried hard to aim for the field, but it was tight. Clearing the house, I had several feet to squeeze between a bulldozer and a porta pottie… Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to make it to the clear field and I landed in a ditch. Receiving a torn ligament and a pilon fracture.
But wait! That wasn’t the worst part… The worst for me was when eventually they found me and brought me back to the ranch. It seemed I was virtually ignored by everyone except for one guy who was «filling out a report of what happened». No one seemed to want to face the elephant in the room, or acknowledge their mistakes. Even Will, the guy who «confused me in the air with someone else» had nothing to say, while he was packing his parachute three feet away from me. It wasn’t until I called his name out three times and asked him what was that about when he finally acknowledged me, stuttered and semi apologized. Fed up, I left straight to the hospital where after an MRI I was told I had a pilon fracture, torn ligament, and other tears in my left ankle area.
The bottom line is that this place needs to be shut down for good and the owners put away for a long time, and I just wonder how many more people need to die or suffer horrible injury due to their neglect before someone does something… Just google «David Winoker» or «Lisa Nutley» as a couple of examples and ignore the «positive reviews» left by employees of the ranch. They are only meant to deceive you. Be warned! And if you choose to jump here anyway, then good luck; you’ll need it.