I both relish and abhor the growing popularity of zip lines and canopy tours. I used to take great pleasure at the blank stares I received when people asked what I did and I had to explain the concept of a zip line or canopy tour... the freedom of flight... the opportunity to explore wild places... the chance to test one's reserves... Always the storyteller, I loved observing as their imagination kicked in and, if even just for a brief second, my guest was transported to a place far away, dangerous, and often far more wild and adventurous than anything the real world could produce. The growing popularity of zip lines in the media, however, has stolen this simple pleasure. When I begin to explain the concept of a zip line or canopy tour these days, I am met with references to commercials selling cars, cruises, and cereal bars. Like a good novel adapted for the big screen, the imagination that would be engaged through verse is lost to 30-second, dumbed-down trailers. Rather than being transported to deep forests and wild places, the user is transported to a couch in front of their television with scenes crafted by Madison Avenue Ad Men.
And it's not just the simple pleasure that has been stolen, but the true adventure. When I conceived of this web site, I was excited to go out and explore the vast array of courses that were being installed across the U.S.. In part, I was seeking inspiration and hoping to renew some of the thrill I had experienced during my first flight. But quite frankly, what I have found is not often adventure, but watered down experiences determined to turn a dollar and ride the wave of popularity rather than adventures designed to inspire.
In reviewing a tour, I can often determine long before I arrive whether I will be wowed or robbed, inspired or disappointed, engaged or indifferent... The following list is the culmination of thousands of descents over fifteen years. In putting this list together, I hope to shed some light on the difference between a tour that is worth repeating and a ride that is completed once and not repeated.
The best tours…
- Employ dynamic and well-trained guides who can at once act as storyteller, coach, naturalist, technician, and tour guide.
- Craft an experience that tells a story about the land, the people, and the course.
- Engage the user in the experience through skill development, interaction, and imagination.
- Maintain a small group experience.
- Transports people through environments that are worth returning to again and again.
- Offer an experience beyond just the zip line.
- Sell adventure rather than zip lining.
- Understand that the experience begins before the client arrives and ends long after they depart.
- Offer clean facilities and cared for equipment.
- Understand that length and speed are not the principle factors in creating a great zip line experience.
- Are customer-service oriented
- Employ zip lines as a mode of transportation and not the end all be all of the experience.
The worst tours…
- Treat guests as cattle to be herded through the course.
- Engage clients by employing cheap thrills.
- Are generally constructed by first time builders and lack professional guide training.
- Sell amusement rather than adventure.
- Can generally be picked out prior to booking by reviewing the quality of their website, copy writing, marketing materials and customer service.
- Allow their guides to wrap their legs around clients when they tandem zip or for purpose of rescue.
- Allow more than one person to traverse a cable at a time as a general operating procedure.
- Lack radios, mechanical signals, or other communication tools to clearly signal that the zip line is clear.
If there is one thing that I am certain of it is this… with the growth of the market, all types of tours and rides will emerge. It is my hope that through the use of rating tools on this site that zip line enthusiasts will help to provide feedback to tour operators and useful guidance to would-be riders regarding the experience and value.
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