Freedom, excitement, exhilaration, thrills, adrenaline rush ….. What do all those words describe? Well they describe zip line adventures. Think zip lining is only a summer activity? Wrong! Can you zip line in winter? You betcha! It is a year round adventure spanning all seasons! But first let’s take a look at what zip lines are. Well to start off, it is a high wire adventure. Simply put, zip lines are cables stretching from a high elevation to a lower elevation. A harness is attached to a pulley and this pulley is attached to the cable. The adventure seeker will wear the harness, step off a landing and the adventure begins. Gravity will propel you along the cable from the high elevation to the lower one. You are often suspended as much as 300 ft. above the ground where the exhilarating feeling of soaring through the air can take your breath away. Don’t worry about whether the harness can hold your weight! Most zip lines can hold people from 60 lbs up to approximately 275 lbs.
Zip line adventures have become one of the fastest growing adventure tourism activities for people who want excitement and thrills. Interestingly, zip lines did not begin with or for thrill seekers; instead the concept of zip lines were originally forms of transportation where people and supplies had to be moved over rivers, canyons or other inaccessible/ remote areas. Today, zip lines can be found worldwide with over 700 zip line tours from which you can choose.
Zip lines are known by many names throughout the world such as zip line, zip wire, aerial runway, aerial ropeslide, death slide, but what’s in a name? In this case, thrills, excitement and adrenaline-boosting experiences. Enthusiasts can enjoy zip line tours in all weather – rain, shine, hail or snow. Zip line adventures in winter can be as thrilling as those in summer. Just add an extra layer of clothes to enjoy travelling at speeds of as much as 30 kilometres an hour! Zip lines often give you a closer view of the magical splendour of winter’s artistic hand! Sights to behold for sure! Imagine the incredible and spectacular scenery as you soar, suspended, above snow covered tree tops, branches encrusted with frost; view frozen waterfalls cascading over rocks, lakes and ponds blanketed in snow and ice, animals scurrying over the frozen landscape and the long shadows made by the trees in the sun. With some of the trees having lost their leaves, as you zip line downward, you can see so much more of the countryside, see how animals and man have make their imprint on the land.
Zip line safety requires that all rules be followed and, if so, the whole family can enjoy the ride of a lifetime. Whether you are eight or eighty, take flight and feel free as a bird as you experience zip lines – one heck of a thrill!
