Zipline Nirvana - Zip Line Directory and Canopy Tour Directory

Smugglers' Notch Resort and ArborTrek Canopy Adventures have teamed up to develop the first zipline canopy tour in Vermont. The 3-hour tour consisting of a series of zip lines, suspension bridges and rappels is scheduled to open in December in a scenic valley at Smugglers' Notch Resort, located in Vermont's northern Green Mountains. The zipline canopy tour will be open to Resort guests, day visitors and groups for year-round use.

Following a mountain brook from high above Smugglers' Notch Resort Village, the zipline canopy tour will descend through mature stands of hemlock, white birch, and sugar maple. Participants will soar down more than 4,000 feet of zip lines, cross suspension bridges, and rappel from trees. Scenic lookout and tree platforms positioned high in the forest canopy will yield stunning seasonal views of Smugglers' Notch Resort, Mount Mansfield, and Vermont's Green Mountains. The tour will culminate in a breathtaking zip line ride landing back in the Smugglers' Notch Village.

In keeping with the Resort's commitment to environmental stewardship through nature-focused programs that combine learning and fun, Smugglers' canopy tour will incorporate information presented by the tour guides about the local flora and fauna, ecology and natural history.

The year-round zipline canopy tour joins Smugglers' extensive seasonal outdoor experiences including skiing and snowboarding on three mountains, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and in the summer, geocaching; a Via Ferrata hiking, climbing and ropes course adventure; a high ropes challenge course; and an adventure camp for children featuring kayaking, bouldering, and other activities.

"Adding the zipline canopy tour to our extensive family vacation programming will give Smugglers' guests an especially memorable opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking terrain around the Resort," notes Bill Stritzler, the Resort's managing director. "We're pleased to team up with ArborTrek Canopy Adventures on this exciting project. ArborTrek's focus on education and responsible environmental management of their canopy tour projects is a perfect match for Smugglers' own environmental stewardship initiatives." The Resort's environmental efforts focus on habitat protection, solid waste and wastewater management, energy efficiency and education.

"It is our goal to provide Smugglers' guests a highly engaging family adventure with opportunities to soar among the trees, experience wild places, learn about the environment and to create lasting memories," says Michael Smith, President of ArborTrek Canopy Adventures. "Our goal of educating, entertaining and inspiring through small group adventure experiences is very much in alignment with the mission of Smugglers' Notch Resort."

About Smugglers' Notch Resort
Smugglers' Notch Resort is a year-round family vacation destination. Winter fun features skiing and snowboarding for all abilities on 78 trails and 1000 acres of terrain on three mountains. In Summer the Resort offers eight pools and four waterslides, children's all-day programs, guided hiking, and numerous activities for all ages. The Resort's extensive family programs have been recognized by SKI Magazine, FamilyFun Magazine, and Conde Nast Traveler magazine, among others. The Resort is the only vacation property in Vermont to be designated an Environmental Leader.

About ArborTrek Canopy Adventures
Designed to educate, entertain, and inspire, ArborTrek Canopy Adventures represents a new and rapidly evolving form of eco-adventure, the zipline canopy tour. Tours blend the novelty of being immersed in the natural environment with the thrill of soaring through the forest and viewing the world from high in the forest canopy. By providing management experience and financial backing, Arbortrek provides the opportunity for established tour operators, resorts and land owners to enter into the emerging eco-adventure park market with confidence. www.arbortrek.com