According to legend, skydiving was first invented when Jack, tumbling haplessly from his beanstalk, used a purloined pair of giant underpants to slow his fall. Glide to earth just as safely with today's deal: for $149, you get a tandem skydive from Skydive Pepperell (a $235 value). You must weigh less than 225 pounds, baby included, and be over 18 to skydive. Call ahead to schedule a time, but keep in mind that dives are subject to weather and the whims of Thor.

After an hour of basic safety training, you'll soar to 10,500 feet above Skydive Pepperell's private airport, where the skies are clear of meddlesome biplane dogfights and the horizon stretches to Cape Cod and Mount Washington. Securely strapped to one of Skydive Pepperell's strapping human-eagle Extrematude addicts, you'll plunge for up to a minute and reach speeds of approximately 120 miles per hour. But because you're in front of the instructor with your own altimeter and ripcord, it feels like you're skydiving on your own. In the final seconds, your partner will assist you in pulling the ripcord, then maneuver you in for a perfect, feathery landing in front of any friends, family, and as-yet-unwooed potential prom dates gathered in the spectator's area.

People who are scared of heights expect to be scared stiff by jumping out of an airplane and hurtling through the air, but many of them are surprised to find they're totally comfortable. People who skydive say the feeling of pure freedom is unparalleled, the adrenaline rush is addictive, facing one's fears is satisfying, and falling out of the sky is pretty good. Plus, it isn't likely you'll wet your pants. Skydive Pepperell is the closest skydiving to Boston, not counting Uncle Plummet's Discount Jump in Brookline, whose parachutes are made from the finest recycled newspaper. Buy today's Groupon and try the sport that's exhilarating, fun, and—since the ground will always be there to catch you—safe as can be.

Reviews

Three Yelpers give Skydive Pepperell an average of 4.5 stars, and Drop Zone users give it four:

• Crazy, awesome, cool, friendly, welcoming atmosphere and people. The ability and mind-set of these people is contagious. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. – JJMJ1234, Drop Zone
• …I have been able to jump with world class [sic] jumpers as well as inexperienced jumpers. Its [sic] a great environment to learn how to skydive. – airdweller, Drop Zone
• Equipment was top notch, everyone was helpful...our instructors were awesome; just professional enough that they instilled a sense of confidence, but laid back enough that you knew you could relax and have fun. And hey, we landed safely. – Christopher M., Yelp