This editorial spotlight was written for Destination Saskatchewan magazine, showcasing the thrill and ecological value of two zipline eco-adventure destinations. I used immersive description and friendly tone to bring readers along for the ride, whether scaling a three-storey climbing wall or soaring 700 feet above the forest.
By Jesse Green – for Postmedia SK Special Projects
“If it wasn’t for the bright orange helmets and the odd whoop of excitement, you’d hardly know they were there. Yet, there they are – sailing through the treetops on a zip-line in full-on thrill mode. The only thing brighter than those helmets are the smiles!” The mantra at Cypress Hills Eco-Adventures is find your happy dance (#happydance), and since 2011 tens of thousands of people have done just that. The zip-line canopy tour is a guided tour with a sky bridge, stairs, platforms and multiple zip-lines through the lodgepole pine forest. It is the signature experience, but the basecamp is not to be missed. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any better, the Eco-Adventures 306 Collective was formed, and a second location was announced. Elk Ridge Eco-Adventures will have thrill seekers sailing high above the forest floor on seven different zip-lines, ranging from 270 feet to 700 feet. The sky bridges and platforms wind seamlessly through the boreal forest and offer that same remarkable adventure. The zip-line guides are a huge part of the experience. They make it a priority to know your name, make you comfortable and get the most out of your ride. These guides are dedicated, capable, and let’s face it, they’re happy! Flying through the forest with adventurous people each day might just be the best summer job ever. Take a breather at basecamp or dig into a different adventure. The three-storey climbing wall has four different routes, perfect for a buddy-challenge or just a solo climb to the summit. Hit the button and be rewarded with a siren sound, and the quickest time of the day is recorded. Slacklining, despite its name, requires a great deal of strength and concentration. The nylon webbing is strung between two trees and provides a dynamic, stretching line for walking, kneeling, bouncing and other tricks. Your mini-me will love the kids’ zip-line area. Safety comes first but these scaled-down zip-lines are a huge hit with the kids. If volleyball and four-square had a baby, it would be spikeball. Check out the courts at Elk Ridge and it’ll be hard to drag yourself away. The Elk Ridge Resort is a premier lifestyle resort in the boreal forest just outside the Prince Albert National Park. The resort is known for its championship golf course, salon, fine dining, saline pool with corkscrew water slide and huge selection of outdoor experiences. It has been recognized by the Audubon Society for its care and management of the forest. The philosophy of Eco-Adventure 306 Collective fits nicely with Elk Ridge’s dedication to stewardship. With a mandate of leaving the earth as it was found, the Collective designs its canopy tours to blend in with the surroundings and supports initiatives around environmental education, protection and sustainability. They partner with technology companies to make their business better, donate one per cent of gross revenues to local environmental not-for-profits and run carbon-neutral operations. Basecamp at the Cypress Hills Location also includes the challenge of a free-fall Treetop Drop. This is not for the faint at heart! Scale the cargo net, stay strong on the wobbly bridges and traverse the swinging logs of the Treetop Adventure Park. Forty feet up, this giant playground has 14 different challenges at two different levels. Cypress Hills Eco-Adventures has been a superstar on the awards scene in since its start in 2011. They represented at a national level this year, when the Tourism Industry Association of Canada awarded them small business of the year for their excellence in innovation and commitment to visitors. Lodgepole pine or boreal forest: two vastly different ecosystems, one don’t-miss experience!