Ziplining for more than just fun

As I was walking around Whistler village on a bright, sunny October morning, clear of snow so I could really contemplate the beautiful rain forest, I saw long wires coming down from the forest trees towards the village. I just had to be part of that crazy ride. Being an adrenaline junkie, I couldn’t wait for the afternoon tour.

Once I had my harness on and my camera strapped to my hand, I could feel my heart pounding faster than on the 100-foot free fall of the Drop Zone at Playland. I couldn’t tell if it was because I was scared to drop my camera or because it was twice as high as I expected. With my nerves through the roof, I zipped from tree to tree in one of my most unforgettable experiences. Little did I know I was having fun and helping the ecosystem at the same time.

Ziptrek Ecotour is an exhilarating adventure not just because you are zooming 180 feet above the ground, through panoramic views, but because zip-lining generates all of the electricity used on the mountain without producing carbon dioxide.

Every year, Ziptrek plants hundreds of trees to more than replace those that have been used and it works with endangered rain forests. As well, the suspension bridges and decks are made from local red cedar, which was selected in order to minimize the environmental impact of the project.

4 Comments

  • Avatar
    Reply December 6, 2013

    Cindy St-Laurent

    The video was really interesting in first person making the audience feel as if they are there experiencing the tour. I actually went there in May of this year with my fiancee (he proposed after the last zip line), and we thought the idea of it was really cool. It combines tourism with a way to give back to the environment. I believe that if there are innovative people out there willing to do things like this than we can drastically change how we are treating our planet. Whistler is definitely a place to look up to for that with this and with their hydrogen fuel cell program. Although the bus program is apparently in jeopardy as I just found out while researching the correct name for them. Heres the link http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Whistler+hydrogen+fuel+cell+program+jeopardy/9212028/story.html. Hopefully they find a way to keep the program going.

    • Avatar
      Reply December 10, 2013

      Daniela Carmona Gonzalez

      Congratulations on your engagement! Whistler really is a place to look up to. I didn’t know about the bus program being in jeopardy I hope the program receives funding and doesn’t disappear. Thanks for the link.

  • Marissa Mallari
    Reply December 9, 2013

    Marissa Mallari

    I actually got a chance to do the zip lining in whistler this past summer, and I must say, it is definitely an adrenaline rush going down those lines with nothing but a harness. I didnt know that the ziplines helped generate electricity, so that really interested me. I liked how your video was like re-living the experience.

    • Avatar
      Reply December 10, 2013

      Daniela Carmona Gonzalez

      Im glad you got to relive the experience! It truly is unforgettable.

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