Incredible Zip Line Excursions in the Mountain West
Some of the best zip lines in the world are right here in the United States, and most of those are located in the Mountain West. Here are three adrenaline-inducing zip lines that leave visitors with a travel memory they won’t soon forget.
Photo courtesy of Adrena LINE
ADRENA LINE
Sooke, British Columbia (Vancouver Island)
When I was a kid, my family used to vacation on Vancouver Island long before zip line adventure parks had been invented. Vancouver Island, located off the coast of Western Canada in British Columbia, is a stunning place. Where else can one go zip-lining in the morning, whale-watching during lunch, and skiing in the afternoon?
At Adrena LINE, guests sail down eight zip lines through coastal rain forests and navigate two suspension bridges. A unique opportunity offered by Adrena LINE are their Full Moon Zip Line Tours. These are offered on Fridays and Saturdays when the moon is at its fullest. Check their website for 2016 dates.
Adrena LINE offers a shuttle service from downtown VIctoria, BC and from the BC Ferries/Swartz Bay Terminal.
TAMARACK CANOPY
Tamarack, Idaho
Located in west central Idaho, near Cascade Reservoir and about 90 miles north of Boise, is Tamarack Canopy, voted by USA Today as one of the top 10 zip line courses in America.
Tamarack was Idaho’s first zip line canopy tour, and it features six zip lines, multiple suspension bridges, and breathtaking views. Guests soar over creeks, canyons, and forests, and a lucky few may spot foxes, elk, and even bears.
Located near McCall, Idaho, this resort town offers an array of summer activities such as boating, fishing, biking, hiking, golfing and much more. There are even local hot springs.
SOARING TREE TOP ADVENTURES
Durango, Colorado
This zip line excursion is a five-star experience that is a once-in-a-lifetime outing. Ryan and I spent a day with Soaring Tree Top Adventures several years ago and it still rates as one of the best days ever.
This is an all-inclusive, catered day that starts when guests board the train in Durango. Yes, guests have to take the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Soaring Tree Top Adventures. It’s either that or charter a helicopter.
Once at Soaring, visitors enter another world—a world that was highly influenced by Lord of the Rings. We learned from our guides that Soaring’s zip line design was inspired by Lothlórien, the elf city in Tolkiens’ famed series.
There are 27 different zip lines at Soaring, and they range from 56 feet in length to the longest zip line in the United States at 1,400 feet. Guests soar through a variety of landscapes, from bright green aspens to old-growth ponderosa pines. Zip lines even transport guests across the Animas River several times. There are periodic stops for catered snacks and a delicious gourmet lunch.
Soaring Tree Top Adventures, located just outside of Durango, Colorado, is the ultimate zip line excursion.
