“Fear only goes where it is invited to stay.”
Memorize this quote then chant it quietly to yourself as you step off the platform and zip full speed ahead into the wild. BC boasts some of the most epic zip lines in the country, so don’t miss out. Channel your inner Zen and tell your fears to take a hike, lest they stop you from experiencing one of the most exciting forest adventures around town – and safe enough for all generations to enjoy.
Like anything in life, zip lining first and foremost involves trust. As you inch your way to the zip line platform and the take-off zone, remember that you are safely strapped in. Stepping off the ledge into the abyss is an incredible natural buzz that I highly recommend.
No need to go big the first time you zip as there are so many options from which to choose. If you prefer, start small then work your way up to the mother of them all, The Sasquatch. Whistler’s newest line is not for the faint of heart. Open less than a month, The Sasquatch stretches over two kms and flies you from Blackcomb to Whistler mid-mountain at over 100km/h, 600 feet in the air. Be prepared to be blown away.
With something for everyone, Ziptrek Ecotours offers a menu of zip lining tours. All of them allow you the opportunity to embrace the great outdoors, get a good rush of adrenaline and forest eco-education while you wait between lines. You’ll love ZipTrek’s earthy granola guides who spark informative eco chats and rants between zip lines. Believe it or not, these tours operate year round. Experience zip lining in the middle of winter (don’t forget to bundle up) or by headlamp (nothing but the moon glow and some Christmas lights) if you want to enhance the experience.
Lovers looking to add some zippididoodah to their relationship should try Whistler’s Superfly Ziplines. One of the longest tandem zip lines in this area, it will fly you and your significant other over a kilometer at 100km/h per hour, 500 feet above the treeline.
Closer to home, families will love the super tame, temporary pop-up zip line at Queen Elizabeth Park that is open seven days a week from 11am to 8pm until Sept. 30. Perfect for grannies looking for a little excitement. The park is offering three lines that span 600 feet in length, starting at the Bloedel Conservatory and ending near the Quarry Gardens.
As long as you are in good health, anyone can safely experience this thrill ride. The minimum age for most zip lines is around seven or eight, but it also depends on height, so check the websites in advance of booking.
A great option for kids is a tree top adventure. Grouse Mountain offers a few zip lining tour options too. The five-line (two hours) or three-line (45 minute) tours are a great way to test-drive this adventure.
Even my own 68-year-old mother and granny of four recently tried it out.
“I’m afraid of heights so I had to convert that fear into trust,” she says. “Trust in my instructors, trust that I was safe, trust that I could complete the challenge, and trust that there was a bottle of wine at the end of the line.
“Hey, you only live once. No rocking chair for me just yet!”
