2 km long zipline between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains opens this summer

Ziptrek Ecotours is expanding its operations at Whistler with the installation of a two-kilometre long zipline attraction that will span the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

The zipline thrill ride will begin at the upper elevations of Blackcomb Mountain and end near mid-mountain on Whistler Mountain. It complements the resort’s 4.4-kilometre-long Peak to Peak Gondola, which recently won two Guinness World Records for “highest cable car above ground” and “longest unsupported span between two cable car towers.”

According to the company, it will be one of the world’s longest ziplines and the longest zipline in the United States and Canada.

“This will be a game-changer without a doubt,” reads a statement by Ziptrek CEO Charles Steele. “You can just imagine the views from up there are simply spectacular, where riders will be able to get an amazing perspective of their complete surroundings.”

At this time, there is no information on the cost of riding the new zipline, but operators say it will offered as a single zipline experience and a tour offering.

The new course is scheduled for a mid-July opening and is an expansion of Ziptrek’s existing facilities located along Fitzsimmons Creek and near Whistler Sliding Centre.

It will be longer than Canada’s current longest ziplines, which are located in Whistler’s backcountry and operated by Superfly Ziplines. This consists of a set of 1.2 and 1.3 kilometre long ziplines that hover high above a valley floor separating Cougar and Rainbow mountains. Zipline riders fly at speeds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour on these lines.

However, the zipline attractions provided by both Whistler operators will still fall short of the world record holder for both length and speed. A zipline near Rome, Italy has a length of over 2.2 kilometres, a maximum height of 415 metres and a top speed of 140 kilometres per hour.

Ziptrek has operations around the world, including in New Zealand and Quebec. The company also operates temporary ziptrek installations – it built and operated temporary zipline attractions at Robson Square during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and in Indianapolis, USA for the 2012 Super Bowl.

World’s longest zipline: Rocca Massima, Italy

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