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Ziplines - What Are They?
Zipline/Canopy Tours started about 20 years ago. Originating in Costa Rica, it introduced tourists to a unique way of communing with nature by traveling through the forest canopy on cables strung from forest tree to tree. Combining the excitement of the ride high in the trees with education regarding habitat, wildlife and history of the area, Canopy Tours became an instant success. Out of this forest adventure, in the past two years has sprung a new hybrid of this concept, called Ziplining.
Basically, it has been adapted for the world market to allow the thrilling experience of flying through the trees, over streams and valleys with higher speeds and greater elevation changes.
Imagine the thrill of flying through the air at speeds of up to 90 mph (140km/h) 25 stories above the earth while attached to a harness that is locked onto a steel cable with a wheeled trolley. You fly hand and feet free just like a bird!!! Experience the immense rush of excitement as you fly hundreds or thousands of feet effortlessly. It is the newest and hottest activity in the tourist industry today! (expedia.com) |
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The Concept
Harness in and get ready for the World's most exciting no-sweat adrenaline ride. Skyline has taken the standard Zipline ride seen in places like Costa Rica and Hawaii and developed a system which is leaps and bounds above the rest. The key lies in the engineered trolley, catch block and braking system. With the creation of these entities a whole new era of Skytravel is possible. The Skyline system can adapt to almost any location and can even be attached to pre-existing towers or structures. If you have access to the tourism trade, Skyline can accommodate your year-round revenue producing needs. |
The Product
The Skyline system is a cable based adventure activity. It involves a harness suspended from a trolley on the cable. Rides range from 50m to 1000m and speeds of up to 140km/h (90mph) can be reached.
The Skyline product was developed taking into account limitations of current ziplines around the world. Key improvements include:
- A fully engineered trolley and harness system ensuring a smooth and efficient ride. Top speed on the Calgary product is approx 140 km/h.
- Dual cable construction allowing for two people to ride at once and higher passenger volumes.
- Self braking via rotary magnetic brakes, minimizing operator intervention, and ensuring operations all year round and in all weather conditions.
- The braking system will allow for a large variety of installations (mountains, off existing structures, etc.)
- A range of different experiences on each of the ziplines.
- Rock anchored cable systems as opposed to tree anchors.
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The Market
The zipline business is growing world wide. While the concept of ziplines is not new, to establish a commercial business by integrating a zipline into an existing adventure activity area, is relatively new. The most common approach is to integrate a zipline into either a skiing related operation, such as Whistler, BC, or forest canopy walks, such as in Costa Rica.
The most common market characteristics that determine the location for commercial ziplines are:
- Access to reliable tourism trade, preferably all year around
- Access to other activities to attract and integrate offerings
- Accessible mountainous environment
- Exciting or beautiful scenery
- Leverage existing physical structures (ie. ski jump tower, stadiums)
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