Ziptrek Ecotours

Walk shoulder-to-shoulder with giants

Last Updated on Saturday, 06 August 2011 15:18

Whistler attraction an inspiring eco-adventure and area history lesson all rolled into one

Original Article - By Andrew McCredie, The Province - August 2, 2011

Doug certainly isn't your average resident of this four-season resort that celebrates and personifies youthful exuberance .

No one is sure of Doug's exact age, but our knowledgeable and affable guide put it somewhere in the 700year old ballpark, meaning ol' Doug was just a sapling when Macchu Picchu was being built. Oh, if only this Douglas Fir could talk.

Giving words to his story instead is a very capable and enthusiastic 20-something who clearly has a passion for her job and a true love of her work environment.

We're a few minutes into the latest tourist attraction in Whistler, the Tree Trek Walk, and Doug is lending his support to our group in the form of a platform attached to his impressive trunk some 50 metres above Fitzsimmons Creek.

Operated by Ziptrek Ecotours, the outfit that has for the past few years attracted adrenaline junkies to its ziptrek lines crisscrossing the river valley and old-growth forest, the Tree Trek Tour utilizes many of the same platforms and suspended walkways used by ziptrekkers. Instead of providing spine-tinkling jumping off points, however, the web-like network of wood and rope structures provide an ideal pathway through the canopy of this 10,000-year-old forest that sprang to life following the last ice age.

"This is the only part of the entire Whistler area that has never been logged," our guide tells us as we peer down and into the ancient forest, its fresh smell enveloping our group of children and adults. "It's far too steep for forestry equipment to work in, so we're very lucky to have the chance to stand here amongst these beautiful giants."

In addition to giving a unique perspective of the ancient forest, the high-wire tour provides rare opportunities to get up close to sights far out of visual reach from the forest floor, including woodpecker holes that have been turned into owl homes, and new growth sprouting from the upper reaches of oldtimers like Doug.

There's also some time spent with your boots on the ground during the tour, and as with exploring up in the canopy, our guide was quick to point out interesting foliage and wildlife that play such a vital role in this spectacular and increasingly rare ecosystem.

The two-hour tours begins in Whistler Village with a 10-minute van ride to the Ziptrek Ecotour area, located just above the Whistler Sliding Centre, the bobsled/ luge/skeleton venue used during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

During the van ride it quickly becomes apparent that this tour is not just another eco-adventure; it's also a very interesting history lesson into the area from geological and environmental perspectives, and if there is one over-riding theme our guide imparted during the casual storytelling it is of natural sustainability.

Obviously, the fact the cedars, hemlocks and firs populating the Fitzsimmons Creek Valley, which separates Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, have stood the test of time and been spared the loggers axe underscores that sustainability theme.

But as we learned during the tour, Ziptrek Tours is also committed to sustainability, with every detail and aspect of their on-site operation planned and designed to minimize the environmental impact. That includes the materials used in the construction of the nine bridges and several platforms used during the tour. In addition, the company plays an active role in the Whistler community, contributing money to a number of non-profits that promote sustainability both socially and environmentally.

Admittedly, the tour can feel a little preachy at times, with signage on the route pointing out the perils of humankind's wanton lust for oil, timber and water and how if that trend isn't slowed we might not be around to see Doug's ancestors reach out and touch the sky. Still, that's a more positive message than some of the other aspects this four-season promotes, albeit indirectly, including wasteful consumerism and elitist materialism. In fact, being preached too in such a pristine setting, its difficult not to feel converted.

Tree Trek Tours run in all weather and are priced at $39 for adults and $29 for youth 14-and-under and seniors. There's also a package deal that includes a Peak 2 Peak gondola ride for an additional $30.

amccredie@sunprovince.com

IF YOU GO

Tree Trek Tour: For more information and details about the two-hour guided tour, visit www.ziptrek. com

Fairmont Tree Top Eco Walk: This package deal starts from $230 per night based on double occupancy with a minumum two-night stay. Package includes accommodation at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the guided tree top eco walk and a picnic lunch from Portobello. Guests arriving in a hybrid vehicle also receive complimentary valet parking at the Chateau during their stay. For more information visit www.fairmont.com/ whistler

Whistler general information: Visit www.whistler. com and www.whistlerblackcomb.com