There is more to do in winter than just one plank or two!
Ski resorts are adding zip to their attractions,
literally. No longer is winter on the slopes just about skiing or
snowboarding - you can fill a day of fun at a ski resort without
ever strapping on skis.
Zip Lines are the biggest addition at ski resorts
across the country. Less expensive
to install than a new lift, these series of cables that connect from
tree top to tree landing deck offer a unique experience as you are
harnessed in and attached to the zip cable for your descent of the
mountain. Some zip lines have hand brakes you operate yourself,
others have built in braking mechanism. Either way you can reach
decent speeds during your descent. You are required to wear a helmet
on zip lines, the safety protocol includes training and often a
practice zip before you hit the big cable.
You will find Zip Lines at these Mountain ski resorts:
Check out Maine Zip Lines at
Sunday River and
Sugarloaf.
New Hampshire Zip Lines are offered at the
following ski resorts: Attitash,
Loon,
Cranmore and
Gunstock – with the longest span in the US, and
Bretton
Woods’ Canopy Tour has 10 zip segments.
Wildcat’s Zip Line does not
operate in winter.
You will find Vermont Zip Lines at
Smugglers Notch,
Bromley, and
Sugarbush.
Mountain Coasters are another attraction – like a
roller coaster that descends tracks on a ski slope. Mountain
Coasters can be open summer and winter, the cars run on metal
tracks, which typically sit two small people or a parent and child,
or one large adult. You have your own brake in your coaster car to
control your speed.
Among Massachusetts ski areas,
Jiminy Peak
installed the first Mountain Coaster
In New Hampshire, Jiminy Peak's sister resort,
Cranmore added the first Mountain Coaster in the Granite State.
Attitash also has a Mountain Coaster
Vermont’s only Mountain coaster, for now, is at
Okemo, called the Timber Ripper. Okemo’s Mountain Coaster is located
at Jackson Gore’s base area. Okemo also has a 7 zipline circuit
experience that is really fun, full of exciting descents, high tree
platforms and a few belays, at their alpine adventure center.
In Quebec,
Rodeling at Le Massif
is a fun crazy alpine adventure, sledding down 4.5 miles of a
groomed natural snow trail on a traditional wooden runner sled -
rodel, over 2,400-vertical feet at speeds of up to 50 mph. We don't
think this wild Canadian sled ride would fly in the US, so go to Le
Massif for serious sledding!
Expect to see more ski area zip lines, adventure courses, and
mountain coasters in the U.S. and Canada particularly at ski resorts and
amusements parks They are hugely popular in Europe, over 6,000, and
growing fast here in the states. At $10- $100 a pop depending upon
the time, distance traveled and lift access, it’s a thrill that will
put some zip in your skip.
Check out our Zipline Review and our New England Snowtubing Guide and our Ski Area Mountain Biking Review
Back to Skiing and Winter Sports
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