A TREETOP TRIP

Exploring the Forest's Canopy

Incredible natural surroundins and pristine, ancient forests lay at the core of everything that is Whistler - wheather it is sport, sightseeing or adventure. You can find a million ways to experience all the wonders of Mother Nature here, from skiing to biking and hiking to horseback. But a new attraction has just opened in the resort that will have you seeing nature from a completely different perspective - 100 feet up in the forest's canopy. Treetrek - Whistler's Canopy Tours is a new expansion of the popular Ziptrek Ecotours, and it is a must-do experience if you crave a new kind of exhilaration. 

Ziptrek Ecotours operates in a relatively untouched and rare area of ancient rainforest in the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Here, high in the trees, you can "zip" along steel cables, using pulleys and a climbing harness, to observation posts situated throughout the area.

It's a thrill - flying through the air over raging whitewater, and it has emerged as one of the more popular adventure activities in Whistler. One of the reasons it attracts so many visitors is that it is more than just adrenaline and thrill, but an actual ecotour that combines the adventure with enviromental education. 

The new Treetrek tour takes that philosophy one step further, allowing visitors the opportunity to eperience the awesome views high atop the platforms, but at a relaxed and contemplative pace. The exhilaration comes from standing 100 feet in the air, forest all around and the ground almost not in sight. Think Ewok Village, or the Elven city of Lothlorien from the recent Lord of the Rings movies - it's an engineering marvel.

"And we have ensured that we do no harm to the forest or the trees themselves," said David Udow, co-owner of Ziptrek Ecotours. "We are, after all, an ecotour company and we believe in sustainability."

Sustainability is something the municipaity of Whistler has taken very seriously in recent years, adopting a program called the Natural Step to address environmental and growth issues in the resort.

Of course, Ziptrek Ecotours was first in line to sign on to the Natural Step principles. 

"We use examples in the forest to show what Whistler is doing," said Udow.

Treetrek was developed under the watchful eyes of specialist in tree physiology - who Udow credits with inspiring the entire Ziptrek Ecotour experience.

"He does all kinds of reserach high in the trees," said Udow. "And he was telling me aobut how they use ziplines to get from one high place to another instead of climbing up and down the big trees."

It didn't take long for the idea to pop up of using the same kind of zipline for a novel and unforgettable enviromental attracion. Two summers later, Ziptrek is proving that, rian or shine, all year long; people love the fun of riding the five ziplines all through the forest and learning about Whistler's flora and fauna.

But, even before Ziptrek was a reality, Udow said Treetrek was a part of the plan.

"Everything takes time, and we wanted to make sure everything was done right," he said. "It takes a lot of work, environmental assessments and the like, before you can do something like this,"

The Treetrek Canopy tour begins at the Carleton Lodge, centrally located in the heart of Whistler Village. From here, a Treetrek guide takes you by paved, gravel and dirt roads, right up Blackcomb Mountain to lush green and ancient rainforest, and a walkway up into it.

Beginning at an inconspiciuous ramp at the side of a dirt road, you'll quickly watch the ground disappear beneath you as you walk along the wooden suspension bridges, which link the cedar-wood platforms and aerial stairways.

At each platform your guide will fascinate you with interesting tidbits of information abou the surrounding forests and the variety of trees, lichens and wildlife, which live there.

"It is a great experience for those who don't want to do the ziptrek tours," said Udow. "You get to experience the same feeling of really being up here in the canopy, yet a more relaxed pace."

From the vantage point of the high platforms, you can also watch other visitors feeling the adrenaline rush of the ziplines while you enjoy the majestic scenery. 

"Usually, the people that take the Treetrek because they are hesitant about ziptreeking, see how much fun everyone is having on the ziplines, and they end up doing both," said Udow. "Do far we've had people as young as 6 and as old as 88 ride the ziplines."

Ziptrek and Treetrek operate tours 365 days a year and in all weather conditions.

Reservations are recommended.

For more information go to www.ziptrek.com or visit Ziptrek's Ticket Sales Desk, located inside "Essentially Blackcomb", across from the Whistler Village Gondola.