British Columbia is full of fun and wild adventures that are great for people of all ages and abilities. Zipline courses dot the mountains throughout the province and range from the longest in Canada to short courses designed for beginners. The beautiful mountains that provide so many other adventure activities also allow visitors to enjoy gondola rides up to get the most fantastic views of the areas. These fun summer activities will have you riding to the peaks and zipping to the bottoms of gorgeous mountains, canyons and valleys.
SEA TO SKY GONDOLA
Probably the best-known of all the gondolas in the province, the Sea to Sky gondola offers incredible views of Howe Sound, Shannon Falls and the famous Stawamus Chief climbing area. Each cable car holds only eight people, so you are not crowded and can enjoy the ride. The cars are both wheelchair and stroller accessible, so this is a great activity for everyone. Of course, there are plenty of activities to do at the summit if you like, or simply enjoy the ride up and down. It is best to book your tickets online so you can avoid the lines.
Address: 2 kilometres south of Squamish, directly on the Sea to Sky Highway/Hwy 99.
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KOKANEE MOUNTAIN ZIPLINE
The original zip-line course in the West Kootenay’s, this course is located on 44 acres of amazingly pristine old-growth forest by Nelson. With six ziplines varying lengths, you can fly up to 100 km an hour as you slide down above the canyon. Starting with a short 90-foot zip and increasing in length to an amazing 2400 feet long, you are going to want to allow at least three hours for this activity as the professional guides take you all the way through. The only thing that may stop you from wanting to do this more than once is the fact that you need to book at least one day in advance.
Address: between Nelson and Ainsworth Hot Springs
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PEAK 2 PEAK GONDOLA
This experience takes you on a tri-cable gondola that transports Whistler Mountain’s Roundhouse Lodge with Blackcomb Mountain’s Rendezvous Lodge. It is the first lift to join the two side-by-side mountains. From the gondola cars and the tops of the mountains, you will have stunning 360-degree views of Whistler Village, as well as the surrounding mountain peaks, lakes, glaciers and forests. You can watch the machinery in action and learn about this record-breaking lift in the on-site Viewing Gallery or choose to dine on the rooftop of the world with views of the ski slopes and towering peaks. The fun cable car has a special glass bottom for a bird’s-eye view of the forest.
Address: 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
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MINERAL MOUNTAIN ZIPLINE
A full ride of the six zip lines here will take you more than two hours and expect nothing but fun and excitement as you experience the 80 km an hour slides down the variety of lines. Located in the East Kootenay’s, Mineral Mountain partners with Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, where you start your adventure. . This fun route takes you over alpine forests and within sight of the famous hoodoos. Guided by professionals, you will fully enjoy every second flying down every line in one of the most exhilarating experiences in the province.
Address: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, 5225 Fairmont Resort Road,
Fairmont Hot Springs
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GOLDEN EAGLE EXPRESS GONDOLA
A fantastic ride that takes visitors up to an amazing 7,700 feet above the valley floor. From the top you can take in the beautiful panoramic views of the Rockies, the Columbia River Wetlands and the town of Golden. You may even be able to spot wildlife and perhaps even a glimpse of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s resident grizzly bear, Boo as you are enjoying the ride up or down. At the summit you can take a hike, have lunch or just enjoy the views. There are a variety of packages available that include the gondola ride.
Address: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, 1500 Kicking Horse Trail,
Golden
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WILDPLAY MAPLE RIDGE
With 9 different zip lines and dozens of other suspended surprises, visitors will delight in every moment spent here. You can choose a classic course with access to 5 ziplines and other activities, or an advanced course with 3 ziplines and activities. Smaller children can enjoy the kids’ course which includes bumble zip lines. The regular ziplines at this site are intended for guests aged 7 and above, but also have height and weight requirements and restrictions, so check the website before visiting.
Address: 23485 Fern Crescent, Maple Ridge
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HELL’S GATE AIRTRAM
This is an absolutely amazing place to visit and will be a sight you will never forget. The thrilling ride on the Airtram takes you down 152 meters into the beautiful Fraser Canyon to a historic site, and a chance to take a walk over a Suspension Bridge. The comfortable tram passes over the most treacherous section of the Fraser River and gives you unique views of the area. Just 30 minutes from Hope, this is a great day out. Purchase entrances online to make your visit easier.
Address: 43111 Trans-Canada Hwy,
Boston Bar
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GROUSE MOUNTAIN ZIPLINES
Grouse Mountain offers an amazing array of experiences and that includes a fun series of ziplines. This 5-line experience will have you gasping in excitement as you cover an area that takes you around Blue Grouse Lake on the first few lines and then zip at top speeds of 80km/hr across the peaks of Grouse Mountain and Dam Mountain. Riders must weigh a minimum of 70 pounds to ride, but there are no age restrictions. This site operates year-round, weather dependent.
Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
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PANORAMA MOUNTAIN RESORT GONDOLA
The small gondola at Panorama Mountain Resort may not be the largest or the fastest gondola on this list, but instead it offers a unique chance to be in the open air as you are travelling between the upper and lower villages. Providing visitors with a chance to get up into the mountains from the base village, you can then choose to hike, bike or simply enjoy the beautiful views. The best thing about this ride though, is that it is free. If you want to purchase a chair lift ride to get even higher, that’s possible during the summer as well.
WILDPLAY NANAIMO
There are different Wildplay sites throughout British Columbia and each one is worth a mention as they all are unique. Anyone with an adventurous spirit will be in their element here as they take a crack at the 19 different ziplines. The Classic course will give you access to 13 lines with different lengths and up to 50 feet high. The Extreme course will give you an additional 4 lines up to 60 feet high. Small kids can enjoy 6 bumble lines up to 15 feet high. Along with the ziplines, there are also 67 amazing aerial games; 40ft or 150ft bungy jump; and an incredible 150ft giant swing.
Address: 35 Nanaimo River Road, Nanaimo
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GROUSE MOUNTAIN SKYRIDE
Grouse Mountain and all of its available activities and attractions is well known in the Vancouver area and certainly not to be missed if you are visiting Vancouver. The gondola will provide you with fantastic views of the city as well as the gulf waters and, on clear days, all the way to Vancouver Island. Along with that, you may have the chance to view wildlife as you are travelling up or down. This is the largest tram in North America and has a unique feature – if you want (for an extra cost, of course), you can ride on top of the gondola for a open-air experience!
Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
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WILDPLAY VICTORIA
A rush, a thrill, a challenge to be completed, these all describe the activities available at Wildplay Element Park, including the eight ziplines available. The Classic course includes four lines of progressive intensity up to 40 feet high, and the Extreme course also has an additional four lines up to 52 feet high. If you don’t want to experience the other games and activities along with the lines, you can purchase a zipline tour that lasts an hour and gives you a ride on six of the lines. Small kids get three bumble lines included in their package.
Address: 15-1767 Island Highway, Victoria
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SILVERSTAR MOUNTAIN RESORT GONDOLA
Lots of travellers visiting the Okanagan don’t know that the mountain resorts, used in the winter for skiing, offer their gondolas for summer use to get up into the peaks and do some hiking or just enjoy the views. Silverstar is no exception, providing a gorgeous ride up to the summit. This gondola is wheelchair accessible.
Address: 123 Shortt St, Silver Star Mountain
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WILDPLAY KELOWNA
Challenging courses at this Wildplay location are available for kids and adults, including 17 zipline courses. The Classic course includes 13 ziplines up to 50 feet high, and the Extreme course includes four lines up to 60 feet high. Kids will get to experience 6 Bumble lines. If you just want to zipline, you can take an hour to ride your way through 7 lines with your guide. This location also offers opportunities for surviving suspended obstacle courses, giant swings and more.
ZIPZONE PEACHLAND
Listed as Canada’s highest freestyle zipline adventure, this park is more than just the ziplines, although they are the main attraction. The lines are the highest, longest and fastest freestyle ones in the country, so they are perfect for those looking for high-flying excitement. Little travellers can experience the ziplines in tandem with a professional for every family member to have fun.
Address: ZipZone Adventure Park
8km up Princeton Ave, Peachland.
ZIPTREK ECOTOURS
Based in Whistler, this company actually has four locations worldwide. Whistler was their first zipline site and is home to the Sasquatch, the longest zipline in North America, with a distance of over 2 kilometres. The coastal rainforest makes a perfect backdrop for the four distinct courses that they offer, from a short tour of 4 lines to a tour of 10 lines! Also included are the unique treetop walk courses.
VALLEY ZIPLINE ADVENTURES
Located in Radium Hot Springs, this company has a total of 7 ziplines that take you zig-zagging through the Dry Gulch Valley and then on to a view of the Columbia Valley Wetlands and the Purcell Mountain Range. The very last line, which is the longest and fastest out of the lines, is a double zip which means you can race a friend to the finish.
Address: 393 Highways 93/95, Radium Hot Springs
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OYAMA ZIPLINE ADVENTURE PARK
Near Kelowna, you will find this Adventure Park, which has 7 ziplines for you to enjoy. The lines provide a lot of diversity, including side-by-side racing lines, rope bridges, and half-pipe slack lines. You don’t need any experience; the on-site guides do all the work. The state-of-the-art harnesses that are provided free you to “just sit” or try some stunts on the longest lines in B.C.’s interior.
Address: 5617 Oyama Lake Road, Oyama
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ADRENALINE ZIPLINE ADVENTURES
This is Vancouver Island’s only canopy zipline, so if you are in the Sooke area, this is a must-do. There are a total of 8 lines that range from 150 feet to 1000 feet long, with heights from 60 feet to 150 feet. The course covers an area of about 100 acres of beautiful coastal rainforest, so you know the views will be incredible. Mountains and the ocean provide a magnificent backdrop for your zipline adventure here.
Address:5128C Sooke Rd, Sooke
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TREETOP FLYERS
Chase Canyon provides an incredible scene for ziplining near Kamloops or the Shuswap. There is no experience quite like zipping by a waterfall or over a canyon, and this company can provide exactly that opportunity. With a total of three lines, you can fly by two waterfalls and over a creek, right through the heart of Chase Canyon.
Address: 305 Brooke Drive, Chase
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WESTCOAST WILD ZIPLINES
Tofino is home to this company, which offers a zipline course through old growth rainforest and through the Kennedy River Canyon. There are six lines with varying lengths and speeds, and in between, you can learn all about the area from your local guides. There are short walking distances between each of the platforms that allow you to enjoy the rainforest from the ground instead of just flying over. Combine the zipline with another adventure if you like.
Address:
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SUPERFLY ZIPLINES
Whistler is home to some spectacular sites and activities, and this company is no exception. Providing a chance to zip through the gorgeous scenery, there are four double lines that allow you to fly side by side with a friend or family member. One of the highlights is the two ziplines that reach over 1km long, 200m high and on which you can reach 100km/hour speeds!
Address: 211 – 4293 Mountain Square, Whistler
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Sky Zipline
The Golden Skybridge at Golden features a 1000 feet long zipline that takes one on a thrilling ride across the canyon. From 500 feet in the air, you’ll be treated to an incredible birds-eye view of the thundering waterfall and rushing river below, alongside 360-degree views of the Columbia Valley. Plus, there are four ziplines tracks so you can challenge friends and family to a sky-high race. Details
Address: 503 Golden Donald Upper Road, Golden