 Charmaine Leonidas zips across a cable more than 100 feet above Rosebrook Canyon at Bretton Woods with Mount Washington in the background during testing of the new canopy tour. (PAULA TRACY/Union Leader photos) |
What Bretton Woods officials describe as New England’s first “world-class” canopy tour will open on Thanksgiving.
Similar to experiences offered in Costa Rica and Alaska, it will feature nine zip lines and two suspension bridges high in the crown of the forest. The lines descend from the top of Mount Rosebrook down 1,000 vertical feet over glades and canyons to the bottom.
The guided, three-and-a-half-hour experience will include information about the forest ecology, while offering breathtaking views of Mount Washington and the Presidential range from high above the ground.
“This is an incredible thrill,” said Bretton Woods Director of Ski Operations Chris Ellms, who tested the cables more than 150 feet above Rosebrook Canyon in brilliant fall foliage.
“We wanted to make sure we had a world-class canopy tour and they came through big on that,” he said, referring to Bonsai Designs Inc. of Grand Junction, Colo., hired to design and install the system. It features cables, platforms, bridges and trails through some of the least developed portions of the ski resort.
The tour will begin at the Adventure Center at the base of Bretton Woods. Two guides will travel with groups of eight (determined by appointment) to the summit of Mount Rosebrook, where they will then be transported by buggy to the top of Minihan’s Ridge.
This is where a ground flight school of sorts will be situated.
There, the guides will describe how to descend, at times as high as 250 feet above the forest floor. Unlike other zips, which are more like a fixed amusement ride, here, you control your own speed using a dual/redundant brake system.
There is some walking involved but it is all downhill. Participants will descend a new trail along the side of the glades to a set of two zip lines over a brook.
They can go at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour over a stream, suspended about 30 feet above the ground. This is just to get the idea.
 Charmaine Leonidas tests one of the nine new zip lines at Bretton Woods |
A massive white pine is the landing perch, which Ellms said, gives one the feeling of being on a ship’s prow, looking out over the sea.
The Mount Washington Hotel can be seen from here, as can the floor of the valley, dotted with houses and condos below.
It is from here that one rappels down to the next platform, only to zoom out again over the ski trails far below.
“This is a no-sweat, adrenaline experience with no uphill hiking,” explained John Walker, president and CEO of Bonsai Design.
Participants should be over 70 pounds (and about age 12) because of the way the cables are calibrated. If participants have any back problems, they need to alert the guide.
They may need to be able to hoist themselves along the cable to the landing pads if they go too slow, so having a shoulder problem is a consideration. All the safety equipment is provided. Just wear warm gear.
Such tours have their roots in Costa Rica where the pastime has developed into a large eco-tourism industry.
In Alaska, Walker has built similar systems, which are used by the cruise ship industry to provide both an exciting way to see the land and a way to learn about geography and history and the animals and birds that live in the forest canopy they are visiting.
The resort will offer the experience this winter at a price of about $90 per person for a half day, but it will also offer a $15, separate dual zip line near the base of the mountain to give people an idea of what is above.
Ellms said this will be an important addition to the resort’s many outdoor adventure offerings. And, he said, he is excited to see it fly.
For more information visit mountwashingtonresort.com.
