Extreme Sports in Las Vegas

Aside from all the gambling and night life, Las Vegas is full of all kinds of other types of entertainment, as well. Extreme sports make up a great niche in Vegas-style entertainment, and there is quite a lot to choose from. Here are my top 5.

Climbing in the Red Rock Canyon

Located about 17 miles from the Strip is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which consists of 197,000 acres of Mojave desert and many climbing opportunities that range from intermediate to challenging. Aside from the essential rock climbing gear, water and sunscreen you may want to stop into the Visitor Center there and grab yourself a copy of Red Rock Select, a great climber's guide.

Indoor Rock Climbing

3355 Las Vegas Blvd.
The Venetian

For those that would rather not venture out into the desert heat, you can instead stick to the Canyon Ranch Spa at the Venetian hotel and enjoy a huge rock climbing wall (standing at about 40 feet tall) that is great for climbing experts to practice and work out on and beginners to start out with. After receiving an instructional lesson on climbing, you will be free to climb your heart out safely with the equipment they provide you. Once you pay the reasonable admission for the Spa, you get full-day access to other amenities, such as aerobics, cycling and kickboxing as well.

Skydive Las Vegas

1401 Airport Road
Boulder City

If you've ever felt like jumping out of a plane, Skydive Las Vegas is a friendly, reputable company which is geared mainly toward beginners but welcomes skydivers of all experience levels. They have two main options - the 3 mile skydive, which is normally $249, and the 1 mile skydive, normally $200. Currently listed on the website, however, is a specially for $50 off the normal price, including an even larger savings if you take a second dive in the same day. The instructors are very kind and professional, doing their best to prepare you on the ground and make you feel comfortable enough to jump once you get in the sky. If you're a first-timer, it will be suggested you do a tandemn jump (jumping with an instructor) so you won't have to worry about doing anything wrong.

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Indoor Skydiving

200 Convention Center Drive

Open Monday-Sunday 9:45am-8pm

One of the most unique and rare things around is indoor skydiving. Whether you are afraid or can't afford real skydiving, this place is a great opportunity to capture the feeling of free-falling safely and in a more affordable way.

Rates begin at $75 per person per flight. Also offered are: $40 for the 2nd flight of the day, and $200 for 5 flights for one person. This price may seem way up there, especially as each "flight" is only about 3 minutes long - but keep in mind that it's much more time than you get actually skydiving, and for a fraction of the price. Special coupons are also available on their website.

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Valley of Fire ATV Tour

Resembling the red planet, the Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest state park, made up of beautiful red sandstone formations that you won't find anywhere else. A great way to explore this area is on an ATV, and hardly a better way to do it than with the Valley of Fire ATV tour. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off from any Las Vegas Strip hotel. Equipment and ATVs are provided, along with an instructive lesson on how to ride one, and then take on the desert by riding up and down slopes and through streams and huge sand dunes. Whether you're a beginner or not, this tour is geared towards anyone. Starting at $179 per person, this is an extreme experience you won't forget.

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