| If an alien dictionary on human activities existed, it | | | | some people will find it out of character. All that |
| would be an interesting read. Flipping through its | | | | empty space beneath your feet is slightly |
| hyper-advanced pages (likely written in their alien | | | | unnerving. What if the line breaks? What if the |
| script, but for this thought experiment, let's | | | | opposite platform collapses? What if I'm attacked |
| pretend it's English), under Hockey it would say, | | | | by an eagle? It's normal for your left-brain to try |
| "An activity where humans slap around a bit of | | | | and rationalize your decision to zip line, and |
| plastic with sticks." Keep flipping, and the definition | | | | sometimes it wins. Yet there's something |
| of Heli-skiing would read, "The act of being | | | | uncannily primal when the right-brain urges you to |
| dropped off at the top of a mountain, using two | | | | leap out over the rushing creek below, and |
| modified planks of wood to skim down." | | | | suddenly the world looks a whole lot different |
| And finally, near the back of the book, under | | | | moving at high speed. Then suddenly you're on |
| Ziplining, it would read "An elevated and inclined | | | | the platform and eager to move on to the next |
| wire from which a pulley and a one-person seating | | | | line. |
| apparatus are strung, allowing gravity to pull the | | | | What To Wear |
| human between two points. Used in some places | | | | Whistler Zip Trek provides all their guests with all |
| as a tourist attraction." The moral of the story? | | | | suitable equipment for the tour, so you can leave |
| Humans will use any excuse to invent a | | | | your own pulley's, harnesses, and climbing helmets |
| brand-new way of having fun. Should you decide | | | | at home. It's recommended to dress in the same |
| to prove the aliens correct and try ziplining for | | | | garb you would for a regular day of skiing or |
| yourself, Zip Trek Ecotours in Whistler, British | | | | hiking (depending on the season). In winter, layers |
| Columbia is the place to do it. | | | | work best. All of the platforms have heaters |
| Why Zip Trek in Whistler? | | | | installed in case you need to thaw in-between zip |
| Let's be honest. If you are even remotely | | | | lines. In the balmy heat of summer, despite the |
| interested in skiing or snowboarding, you've | | | | desire for wearing sandals, hiking boots or other |
| probably heard of Whistler Blackcomb. I've done a | | | | athletic footwear are prescribed. |
| bit of traveling in my time and if I mentioned | | | | Environmental Learning |
| British Columbia (or even Canada) to anyone I | | | | With the natural beauty of Whistler comes the |
| met, they would bring up the world famous ski | | | | desire to learn about and protect it. That's why |
| resort. Why all the fuss? Whistler is nestled | | | | Zip Trek has maintained a commitment to |
| among vast and imposing mountains, nudging | | | | minimizing its impact on the environment. The |
| against the Pacific Ocean, which culminates in | | | | entire zip lining course is constructed in an area |
| unparalleled natural beauty. | | | | where paved road was not required, with the |
| How Do Zip Lines Work? | | | | platforms and zip lines suspended high above the |
| Ziplining, while baffling to aliens, is the art of gliding | | | | forest floor. Zip Trek is thus able to introduce |
| along steel cables, using a pulley and climbing | | | | guests to an ancient coastal rainforest with |
| harness. Zip Trek Ecotours takes full advantage | | | | minimal damage to the ecosystem. They also aim |
| of their favourable environment. Their tour area | | | | to promote environmental awareness through |
| covers over 11 hectares (33 acres) woven | | | | dialogue with the guides, and interpretive signs on |
| throughout areas of untouched, ancient coastal | | | | the platforms, illustrating key points about local |
| temperate rainforest. Guests are treated to a | | | | ecology and wildlife. |
| total of five zip lines, spanning between 80 to | | | | So there you have it. It's likely humans will invent |
| 1100 feet (yes, that's very high). Total duration of | | | | even more bizarre and wonderful ways to cure |
| the trip (depending on the tour) is approximately | | | | boredom, and when they do, the aliens will have |
| 2.5 hours, including a short shuttle to & from | | | | to update their dictionary. But until then, Whistler |
| Zip Trek's base on Blackcomb mountain. | | | | Zip Trek will satisfy all those looking to try one of |
| What's It Feel Like? | | | | the most unique experiences in the galaxy. Tours |
| Being strapped into your harness and hooked to | | | | run regularly throughout the day, all year round, |
| the zip line feels a little like a farewell moment. | | | | and in almost all weather conditions. Reservations |
| Like any experience of leaving behind the "normal" | | | | are highly recommended. |