You’re standing on top of a needle. Honestly, that’s the only way to describe the Stratosphere Tower—now officially rebranded as The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod—when you’re staring down at the Las Vegas Strip from 100 stories up. The wind is whipping. You can see the glow of the Sahara and the distant, dark outline of the Spring Mountains. But you aren’t looking at the view. You’re strapped into a seat on Big Shot Vegas, a pneumatic powered thrill ride that sits at the literal apex of the building.
It’s high. Ridiculously high.
Most people think the scariest thing in Vegas is losing their rent money at the craps table. They’re wrong. The real terror is that split second before the air pressure kicks in on the Big Shot. You’re already 921 feet above the ground just sitting in the chair. Then, without much of a warning, you’re shot another 160 feet straight up into the desert sky.
The physics of a 4G heart attack
Let’s talk about the launch. It’s not a slow climb like a traditional roller coaster where you have time to regret your life choices during the clink-clink-clink of the lift hill. Big Shot uses compressed air. It’s a sudden, violent burst of energy that generates 4Gs of force. To put that in perspective, that’s more than what astronauts felt during a Space Shuttle launch.
Your stomach stays at the 100th floor. Your body, however, is suddenly at 1,081 feet.
For a brief, terrifying moment at the very top of the mast, you experience true weightlessness. Zero gravity. You’re floating in the harness, looking down at the tiny, toy-sized cars on Las Vegas Boulevard. Then the descent happens. You don't just fall; you're bounced. The ride cycles through a series of "bounces" as the air pressure stabilizes, giving you multiple shots of adrenaline before you finally settle back down onto the launch pad.
Why the Stratosphere (The STRAT) is a literal outlier
The Big Shot Vegas isn't just another ride. It opened back in 1996, and for a long time, it held the record for the highest thrill ride in the world. It’s a custom-built masterpiece by S&S - Sansei Technologies (formerly S&S Sports). These are the same folks who pioneered the "Space Shot" and "Turbo Drop" towers you see at Six Flags or Cedar Fair parks, but those usually start on the ground.
Building a high-intensity pneumatic ride on top of a concrete tower presented massive engineering hurdles. You have to account for the structural oscillation of the tower itself. The STRAT is designed to sway. If it were rigid, it would snap. So, when you’re on the Big Shot, you’re experiencing a ride that is moving independently of a building that is also technically moving.
✨ Don't miss: What Time in South Korea: Why the Peninsula Stays Nine Hours Ahead
Comforting, right?
What it actually feels like (The "No-BS" Review)
If you have a genuine phobia of heights, stay away. Seriously. There is no "getting used to it."
I’ve talked to ride operators who say they see people pass out before the launch even happens. The queue takes you through the interior of the SkyPod, past the 108th-floor observation deck, and out onto the exposed upper deck. The contrast between the air-conditioned, carpeted luxury of the casino downstairs and the raw, metal-grating reality of the ride platform is jarring.
The seats face outward. This is crucial. There is no "center" to look at. Your feet are dangling over nothing but 1,000 feet of neon-lit air.
- The Wait: The worst part. The harness clicks. The operator gives a thumbs up. You wait for the "hiss" of the air valves.
- The Launch: It's a blur. You don't see the city; you just see the sky getting closer very, very fast.
- The Apex: You'll feel a "thud" at the top. That's the limit of the piston.
- The Drop: This is where the screaming usually starts.
Comparing Big Shot to its "Sisters of Shred"
The STRAT used to have more rides. Remember the High Roller? Not the giant Ferris wheel at Caesars, but the coaster that used to circle the top of the tower. It was shaky, slow, and honestly, a bit of a letdown. They dismantled it in 2005.
Now, Big Shot Vegas shares the deck with X-Scream and Insanity.
X-Scream is basically a giant see-saw that tilts you over the edge of the building. Insanity is a spinning claw that dangles you 64 feet out over the edge of the tower. While those are psychologically taxing because they involve being "over the edge," Big Shot is the only one that focuses on pure vertical speed. It’s the "OG" of the tower. Even with the newer additions, the Big Shot remains the most iconic because it utilizes the very top of the spire—the highest reachable point in the Las Vegas valley.
🔗 Read more: Where to Stay in Seoul: What Most People Get Wrong
Is it safe? (The boring but necessary stuff)
Yes. It’s incredibly safe.
The ride undergoes daily inspections. Because it’s located in a high-wind environment, the Big Shot will actually shut down if the wind speeds at the top of the tower exceed certain safety thresholds. This happens more often than you’d think. If you’re planning a trip specifically to ride it, check the weather. If it’s a particularly gusty day in the Mojave, there’s a good chance the outdoor rides will be "on hold."
The pneumatic system is fail-safe. If the power goes out, the air pressure is designed to bleed off slowly, lowering the carriage back to the base. You aren't going to get stuck at the top of the needle like a cat in a tree.
Pricing, timing, and how to not lose your lunch
Don't eat at the Top of the World restaurant before riding. That’s a rookie mistake. The restaurant is world-class, but 4Gs and a filet mignon do not mix well.
Pro Tip: Go at night.
The Vegas Strip is a different beast after dark. The lights of the Sphere, the Bellagio fountains, and the LED canopy of Fremont Street are all visible from the Big Shot. During the day, you just see a lot of brown desert and HVAC units on top of casinos. At night, it’s magic.
As of early 2026, tickets are usually bundled. You pay for SkyPod access (the elevator ride up) and then buy a "Ride Pass." If you're a local with a Nevada ID, you can usually snag a discount. For tourists, the "Unlimited Ride Pass" is the best value if you have the stomach for more than one go. Just keep in mind that the line for Big Shot moves surprisingly fast since the ride cycle is only about 45 seconds long.
💡 You might also like: Red Bank Battlefield Park: Why This Small Jersey Bluff Actually Changed the Revolution
Real Talk: Why we keep going back
Why do we do this? Why do we pay $30 to be shot into the air on top of a building that’s already too high?
It’s the perspective. Vegas is a city built on illusions. Everything is designed to make you lose track of time and space. The casinos have no windows; the ceilings are painted like permanent clouds. Big Shot Vegas is the antidote to that. It’s raw. It’s visceral. It reminds you exactly where you are: on a tiny platform, in the middle of a vast desert, clinging to a needle in the sky.
It’s the most honest minute you’ll spend in Sin City.
Actionable insights for your visit
If you're ready to take the plunge (or the launch), keep these specifics in mind to make the most of it:
- Check the Wind: Call the STRAT front desk or check their social media if it's a windy day. They frequently close the outdoor rides for safety, and there's nothing worse than riding that long elevator up only to find the "Closed" sign.
- Storage: You cannot take anything on the ride. No phones, no hats, no loose shoes. Use the lockers provided on the 108th floor. If you try to sneak a "POV" video with your phone, the operators will stop the ride, and you might get kicked out.
- The "Front" Seat: Technically, the ride is a square. All seats face out. However, the seats facing South give you the best view of the Las Vegas Strip. The seats facing North give you a view of Downtown and the desert. If you have a choice, aim for the South-facing side.
- Breathe: It sounds stupid, but people hold their breath during the launch. That’s why they feel lightheaded. Exhale on the way up.
- Skip the Line: If you're staying at the hotel, check for guest-only fast passes. Sometimes they offer them during peak season (March/April and October/November) when the lines can get over an hour long.
The Big Shot is a classic for a reason. It doesn't need VR goggles or fancy themes. It just needs gravity and a whole lot of compressed air. Whether you’re a total adrenaline junkie or just someone looking to check off a bucket list item, this is the one ride in Vegas that actually lives up to the hype. Just don't look down until you're already moving.
Key Takeaways for Travelers
- Location: The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower (North end of the Strip).
- Height: Starts at 921 feet; reaches 1,081 feet.
- Intensity: High (4G launch, zero-gravity drop).
- Best Time: Post-sunset for the full neon effect.
- Constraint: Heavily weather-dependent; wind is the enemy.
Go get your 4G fix. Just remember to hold onto your soul—it’s going to try to leave your body somewhere around the 105th floor.