Aerodium Sigulda wind tunnel: the world's first outdoor skydiving simulator

The wind tunnel that started a global phenomenon

Aerodium has an unusual backstory for a tourist attraction. In 2006, the company built the world’s first outdoor vertical wind tunnel on a field near Sigulda, Latvia. The concept — using powerful upward fans to create a stable column of air in which humans can float in a skydiving body position, without an aircraft, without a parachute, and without the altitude — was new. Within five years, similar facilities had opened across Europe and North America.

The Sigulda original remains operational, retaining the outdoor character that makes it distinct from the indoor wind tunnels that followed. While facilities in Dubai, Paris, and Las Vegas operate in climate-controlled enclosed tubes, Aerodium Sigulda’s platform is in the open Latvian countryside. You float above a fan platform with sky above you, forest on the horizon, and wind in your face — an experience that is genuinely different from any indoor equivalent.

For visitors to Riga with an appetite for unusual experiences, Aerodium represents something you cannot find in most European capitals: a technically sophisticated thrill activity in a beautiful natural setting, operated by the company that invented the format.

What the experience involves

The flight

The facility consists of a raised platform with a powerful turbine fan below. When activated, the fan creates an upward air column of approximately 200 km/h — sufficient to suspend a human body in the freefall position. The flight area is about 4–5 metres in diameter; instructor and participant fly together, with the instructor using body contact and verbal guidance to help maintain correct position.

A “flight” is typically 2 minutes of actual air time. This sounds brief, but 2 minutes of active body-flight engagement is physically demanding — your muscles are constantly adjusting to maintain stability, your mind is processing the entirely novel sensation of floating, and the adrenaline load is significant.

Most participants describe their first 2 minutes as roughly 70% “figuring out body position” and 30% actual enjoyment of the sensation. The second flight (if you book a 2x2 package) is typically much better — you have calibrated your body to the air column and can actually experience the floating sensation rather than just fighting to stay stable.

Instruction

Before the flight, a 15-minute briefing covers the basic body position (arms extended, head slightly back, back arched — the classic skydiving arch) and the hand signals the instructor will use during the flight (which are inaudible due to wind noise). The instructor demonstrates the position and adjusts your stance in the waiting area.

During the flight, the instructor is physically present in the air column with you — guiding your body position by touch, adjusting the wind speed via signals to the control operator, and providing real-time coaching. This is different from watching someone fly beside you through a window.

The experience for different visitors

Skydiving-curious visitors: Aerodium gives you the freefall body position and sensation without the altitude, equipment, or 15-minute aircraft ride involved in real skydiving. If you have always wanted to skydive but are nervous about the altitude or cost, this is a genuine proxy.

Thrill-seekers: The experience is not as sustained or intense as real freefall (which lasts 60 seconds from 4,000 metres), but the novelty is high and the physical sensation is unlike anything else in Latvia.

Families with older children: Children typically take to the air column faster than adults — less weight means easier stabilisation. Children who reach the minimum height (approximately 120 cm) can fly with instructor supervision. Many families report it as the highlight of their Latvia trip.

Experienced indoor fliers: If you have flown at other wind tunnel facilities (iFLY, Windoor, Skyventure etc.), Aerodium’s outdoor format will be familiar but the environment is genuinely different. Advanced flight styles (dynamic and freestyle manoeuvres) are available for experienced fliers on request.

Pricing and booking

At the facility

Prices at Aerodium Sigulda are approximately:

• Single flight (2 minutes): €60–70
• Double flight (2x 2 minutes): €100–110
• Family package: varies

Booking directly through aerodium.eu allows advance reservations, which are recommended in summer weekends when slots fill several days in advance.

Guided tours from Riga

The Aerodium wind tunnel experience from Riga at approximately €115 includes hotel pickup from Riga, transport to Sigulda, the Aerodium flight (typically a 2-minute session), and return transport. This is the convenient option for visitors without their own vehicle.

The tour typically arrives at Aerodium mid-morning, leaving the afternoon free for Sigulda’s castle and valley activities — the bobsleigh track is at the same facility, and Turaida Castle is 3 km away.

Seasonal operation: plan carefully

Aerodium Sigulda is open approximately April through October. The facility closes for winter — the fan turbines are not operated in freezing temperatures, and the outdoor platform becomes unsafe in ice and snow conditions.

This is an absolute rule with no exceptions: do not plan an Aerodium visit between November and March without confirming the facility is open. Check aerodium.eu for current operating status, and specifically for weather-related closures even within the operating season (high winds, heavy rain, or thunderstorms can close the facility for a day or more).

If your Riga visit is in winter and Aerodium is on your list, it will not be available. The Sigulda bobsleigh on real ice is the winter alternative.

Combining with the bobsleigh at Sigulda

The Aerodium is at the same facility complex as the Sigulda bobsleigh track. A natural day combination: morning Aerodium flight, followed by an afternoon summer bobsleigh run — two very different adrenaline experiences in one half-day, with the Gauja valley walk and Turaida Castle available for the remainder of the day.

Aerodium at other locations

The Aerodium company operates wind tunnels at other locations including:

Aerodium at the Gulf of Riga (near Dūņezers): A second Latvian facility, sometimes described as “Riga Aerodium.” Check the aerodium.eu site for current operational status of all locations.

Aerodium events: The company also sets up temporary event installations at festivals and sporting events. If you are in Latvia during a major summer event, there may be an Aerodium installation that does not require travelling to Sigulda.

Combining with other Sigulda activities

Aerodium and the bobsleigh track are at the same facility complex on the plateau above Sigulda town. A logical full-day adventure itinerary:

Morning: Train from Riga to Sigulda (1 hour). Walk to the track complex (30 min) or take a taxi. 10:00 — Aerodium wind tunnel flight (30–45 min including briefing and flight). 11:00 — Summer bobsleigh run (30 min including queuing and run). 12:00 — Walk down into the Gauja valley to Gūtmaņala Cave and Turaida Castle (2–3 hours). 15:00 — Return to Sigulda station, train back to Riga.

This covers the major adventure and cultural sights of Sigulda in a single efficient day.

Honest tips

Book in advance in summer: Aerodium slots on weekends in July and August fill several days ahead. Midweek availability is much better. If you have flexibility, a Tuesday or Wednesday visit typically means shorter waits.

Wear appropriate clothing: Tight, form-fitting clothing makes the body position easier to maintain. Baggy clothes catch air differently and make the instructor’s job harder. The facility provides jumpsuits, so what you wear underneath matters less — but avoid loose scarves, jewellery, or anything that can fly off in a 200 km/h updraft.

Video purchase: The facility offers video of your flight. For a first-time experience that is over quickly and is genuinely hard to describe to friends, the video is worth buying — it is the primary way to show people what actually happened.

Temperature: The air column at Aerodium is ambient outdoor temperature. On a cold spring or autumn day the wind chill effect at 200 km/h is significant — the jumpsuit helps, but flying in October is noticeably colder than July.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aerodium suitable for people with fear of heights?

Aerodium lifts you approximately 3–5 metres above the fan platform — not a significant height. The sensation is less “height” and more “weightlessness.” People with specific height phobias (not acrophobia in general) typically manage better than they expect. The instructor can keep you at lower heights for the first minute.

What do you wear to Aerodium?

Aerodium provides jumpsuits, helmets, and earplugs. Wear comfortable athletic clothing underneath. Remove watches, earrings, and anything that could fall off. Lace-up shoes rather than flip-flops or sandals.

Can you visit Aerodium without a tour from Riga?

Yes — take the Pasažieru Vilciens train to Sigulda (1 hour, €3) and taxi from the station to the Aerodium facility (€5–8). Book your flight slot in advance at aerodium.eu.

Is Aerodium an indoor facility?

No — Aerodium Sigulda is an outdoor platform. The fan is below the open-air platform; there are no walls or enclosure. This makes it fundamentally different from indoor wind tunnels. Weather-dependent closure is a direct result of the outdoor format.