Parachute Montréal Skydiving

Wonderfull DZ ! Very pro, very safe, large landing field, great Twin Otter and great atmosphere.

I see it has been awhile since the last review of Parachute Montreal. I spent several days there over a few weeks this last month, and as far as I can tell, it is the “Perris of Canada.” Well, no swimming pool, but since it is only 75F there when it is 95F in southern California, who needs one!
The facilities are complete and impeccable, and their Otter is the most comfortable one I’ve ridden, with the benches against the fuselage so people can face each on the way up and have an easier exit.
I had no problem getting on loads—they have hired a master full-time organizer, Yves Morisset, who got me on various loads, and taught me some new tricks as well. It was right after the Canadian Nationals, so everyone was loose and ready to relax. My last day they had Pascal Blais organizing bigways (well, just medium-ways, 6-16, but later in the summer they start preparing for 40-way sequentials—I think a selection weekend, followed by an invitational one). I could tell people were genuinely pleased to see someone from the U.S. show up and appreciate their setup. My French is not bad, but everyone spoke enough English for an anglophone visitor to be safe and at ease.
Anyway, many people head down to Florida in the winter—why not head to Canada in the hot summer? Montreal is a fantastic city to visit, and this DZ is only 43 miles from the main airport (YUL), and even closer from the near side of Montreal.

Disclaimer: I'm a traveling A-licensed newbie jumper with 100+ jumps, without own gear. My experience may not apply to you, take the review with a grain of salt.

After showing A card + logbook, went to get rental gear. Lady consulted the trusty Brian Germain's WL chart plastered on the wall, and decided to put me under a 200 sq. ft. canopy (I'm 150lb mind you). After a bit of talking and showing her that the majority of my jumps were under a 170, she finally let me jump a 170.

At the boarding area. I feel some movement on my back: some guy I've never seen before decided to mess around with my flaps, without any warning, let alone asking. He was giving a gear check apparently. I was so full of rage I could not talk, and was only able to give a death stare.

After plane arrived on a hot-load we had to wait >10m for the TMs to arrive (their students were waiting too).

In the plane I get chewed out for not having a jumpsuit (i.e. my tight fitting shirt that is pulled through the legstraps will somehow get over my handles and I will instantly die).

Get my rig molested again in the plane, this time with a heads-up, but without asking if I actually WANT a gear check or not.

Quoting the head honcho, "This is my dropzone and nobody will get hurt here under my supervision". This came off as arrogant, holier-than-thou attitude. People will get hurt eventually, doesn't matter how much you try to prevent that.

I jump for fun, and I did not have any at Parachute Montreal, this experience left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Also a lot poorer after $70 jump tickets.

Regardless of my experience, this might still be a good place for the average skydiver. Awesome plane that climbs quick. Nice, big, green, segregated landing area with plenty of wind indication and targets.

Did my Aff and 45 first jumps over there, Didnt't know how much I was spoiled until I travelled around!!!

You got amazing owners, staff and jumper ready to help you and jump with you for fun. The Twin Otter bring 25 jumpers, 18 run in a day if it's nice! There is most often then anything someone organizing a 10-way of something.

Most of all, the jumpers love to plan a jump and include flyers! If you talk to people, they will include you in their jump, or direct you to people of your level!

Nouvel air parachute may have more belly flyers, but Parachute Montréal got it for the freefly, and without a doubt for the parties!! Big fire, Camp for free, 24/7 showers, Amazing food for a DZ!

Enjoy it for me!

Wow! I had a great experience at Parachute Montreal. The staff is very experienced and friendly, the landing area is large, the have a lot of facilities (rooms to rent, showers open 24/7, a snack bar, a bbq, twin otter aircraft, etc). Everything is clean and new. They have gear equipment that you can buy. They have a lots of events throughout the season for experienced and less-experienced skydivers.
It is my favorite dropzone so far!

Wow this place has it all, great airlift (twin otter), large landing area, friendly knowledgable staff. I can't say enough about the state of the art facility they just built, the nicest I've ever seen. The people are very friendly and you would be hard pressed to find more experienced instructors. I buy all my gear from there as well. I just wish they were closer to my house, I'd make it my home DZ for sure.

Hey guys,

Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you personally “thank you” for your time and hospitality during my visit to your home!

I am proud to say that I have opened up my skydiving season with my first jump in 2010 at Parachute Montreal.

Your facilities are amazing, you have created a fantastic working atmosphere for any and all that visit.

Best of luck and thanks once again,

Regards,
-db

Dave Brown
Freefly Training Center LLC

30 minutes from Montreal, take highway 15 north, 440 east, it becomes 25 and go to St-Esprit. Turn left at the second light and go 1 minute on your right there is the DZ. 2008 is a 14 seater caravan with the 16 seater engine. Owner's predict 1 twin otter then 2 twins and a MEGA hanger.
Freefly coaching is top quality, tons of fun jumpers not yet a tandem factory. Landing is a big area surrounded by farmers fields. There is definitely a SPIRIT of soul in St-Esprit, now go and jump there and write your own review. Cheers and blue skies jumpers.