It’s summer on Mount Washington.
The popular winter and summer destination has announced that starting this weekend, adventure-goers will get to experience Vancouver Island’s longest zip line.
“The experience of the Eagle’s Flight ZipTour really is incredible,” remarked Beth Nowak, the Resorts Manager of Summer Programs.
“We cover a wide range of the mountain’s landscape over the four zip lines and the views are unbeatable. I’ve been running lots of practice lines training our guides to get ready for opening day, and the weightless feeling you get soaring over the treetops never gets old.”
The Eagle’s Flight ZipTour is a $4 million, four-stage course that starts with a ride up the Eagle chairlift to the top of Mt. Washington and finishes back at the Alpine Lodge, providing a whole new bird’s eye perspective of the surrounding terrain.
It spans a total length of 2,313 meters with a drop of 415 metres (1,364 vertical feet) including a first step off the top platform that puts riders more than a hundred feet above the ground doing 100 kph almost instantly.
“The ZipTour makes it possible for everyone to experience the beauty and thrill of Mt. Washington, whether you are a skier or not,” resort general manager Dean Prentice said.
Designed as a shared experience, it has two parallel zip lines providing the opportunity for friends and family to interact while soaring through the air together.
The tour starts with training sessions at the practice zip line, followed by a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain and short scenic walks between each of the four-stages. The final side-by-side aerial flight leads back to the base for a dramatic entrance onto the roof of the Alpine Lodge.
While the ZipTour is certainly a major new attraction, the resort says it’s not the only thing new at Mt. Washington this summer.
New features have been added to the Bike Park including a brand-new Green flow trail, called ‘Panda Gardens’, which offers up alpine views. The 2020 bike season also brings updates to the Skills Centre, completion of the Black flow trail, Upper Helter Skelter and a new intermediate Blue flow trail to be completed soon.
In addition to the ZipTour and Bike Park, Mt. Washington’s team is preparing to open on June 27th for scenic chair lift rides and hiking, as well as retail, restaurant, and hotel operations.
The resort will be following best practices and safety precautions as outlined by the BC Provincial Health Officer, WorkSafe BC, BC Restaurant & Food Services Association, the Canada West Ski Areas Association, and the BC Hotel Association.
“Our main goal is to bring guests enjoyable experiences in a safer environment this summer and into next winter,” explained Prentice. “Maintaining the health and safety of our team and our guests remains a top priority, and there has been a lot of time spent preparing each aspect of the Resort for summer operations.”
“We’re following recommendations from the BC Health Officer, so everyone should expect to stay within their household group and to remain six feet apart from others as a precaution for everyone’s health and safety,” said Prentice.
To learn more, visit the Mt. Washington Alpine Resort website.
