ZIP LINING IN LAKE PLACID, NY

Where are all my thrill-seeking adventurers? If you’ve never tried zip lining, I highly recommend it!

When Chris and I traveled to Lake Placid in November 2017, we booked a zip line tour with Experience Outdoors. Since neither of us had ever zip lined on a professional course, we didn’t know what to expect, but we were ready for an adventure. Between the beautiful views, the awesome tour guides, and the constant thrills, the experience surpassed our expectations. We would 100% go back.

Here’s what to know before YOU go!

*Due to COVID-19, Experience Outdoors has made some changes. Click here to learn more.

THE EXPERIENCE

During our two-hour tour, Chris and I zipped down seven wires and rappelled two. Zip lining was fast and exciting and rappelling was a little nerve-wracking. The height of the zip line wires started out small and then gradually increased. Rappelling was essentially free-falling off a high platform, but don’t worry, equipment was worn and safety measures were put in place the whole time.

One of my favorite memories was zipping through the beautiful views around us.

Our experience began with an ATV ride up the mountain, where we got a close up look at the adventure park’s grounds. This ride alone got me excited for the rest of the tour.

Once we arrived at the top, we took an individual lesson where we learned the mechanics of the zip line, the proper form our body’s should be in, and how to control the break. This lesson was crucial. When zip lining, you’re alone on the line. If you press the break too soon, you’ll need to maneuver yourself to a backwards position and use your arm strength to pull yourself along the wire to the platform. If you press the break too late (or even not at all), you might get hurt or hurt someone else.

During the tour, we were suited up in a full-body harness, a helmet, and gloves. The guides took care of clipping us on and off the wires throughout the course.

Lucky for Chris and I, no one else registered for our tour time (10am), so we had a private tour with two tour guides. Our guides “Dirty Bird” (Ross) and “Quad Father” (Jaryn) were awesome*. They both had a great sense of humor and really cared about us having an amazing and safe time. While we zipped through the course, they shared some history of the park and the surrounding land, and even gave us insider information on future renovation plans. I really appreciated that they let us take our time and didn’t rush anything. It was like we were just friends hanging out in the Adirondacks. Casual.

*If you’re wondering what’s up with the nicknames, when you’re suiting up into your gear, the staff have you write a nickname on your helmet in black marker. Mine was Jax and Chris’s was C-Dawg.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Experience Outdoors is located in Lake Placid, NY on Scotts Cobble Mountain. Throughout the zip line course, there is a breathtaking view of the Great Range Mountains, and even the Olympic Bobsled track that Chris and I had visited the day before. Looking at the track from a distance, after being right next to it, was really cool.

By chance, Chris and I were the first people (in 2017) to zip line at Experience Outdoors in the snow. Zip lining through the snow-covered foliage and mountains was special, and made for an even prettier scene. The chill in the air that we initially felt, went away once our adrenaline started pumping.

WHAT TO WEAR

  • Equipment. Experience Outdoors provides the necessary equipment you’ll need such as the harness, helmet, and gloves. I highly recommend bringing your own gloves, though, so you’re comfortable with the fit. Standard, broken-in leather gloves worked well for me.
  • Comfortable Clothing! Zip lining doesn’t require too much strenuous movement, but it does require your arms to go over your head and a harness to wrap around your legs and shoulders. Wear something that is comfortable and non-restricting.
  • Closed-Toed Shoes. You’re doing more zipping than walking, so heavy-duty shoes are probably not necessary, but use your judgment and check the weather. I was fine with sneakers, even in the snow.
  • Helmet Hair. But seriously, girls, you need to make sure your hairstyle fits under your helmet!

MORE HELPFUL INFO

  • Make a Reservation. It’s mandatory!
  • Restrictions: Unfortunately, not everyone can participate. Read the site’s FAQs for restrictions based on age, height, weight, medical conditions, etc.
  • More Fun! Experience Outdoors offers a lot more than zip line tours.
  • Stay Close. Chris and I stayed at Courtyard by Marriott Lake Placid which was less than 5 minutes away from Experience Outdoors and very close to the Olympic sites we visited.

For information on visiting the Olympic sites in Lake Placid, click here.

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