zip lining - Pitstops for Kids

Summer in Idaho: Schweitzer Mountain Resort with kids

August 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

In the panhandle of Idaho, high above Lake Pend Oreille and the picturesque town of Sandpoint sits Schweitzer Mountain Resort. While many people know Schweitzer as a ski destination, summer on the mountain has much to offer the active outdoor family from late June until early September. Find miles of trails to explore, ripe huckleberries to pick, free lawn games to play, sprawling vistas to gaze upon, Village attractions to thrill you, blooming wildflowers to photograph, and a chairlift ride to amaze (and somewhat scare) you.

Schweitzer caters to those who love the outdoors. The main attraction is undeniably the over twenty miles of trails and its connection to the massive Selkirk Recreation District trail system. However, we found that Schweitzer in the summer offers many summer activities aimed at entertaining the whole family from hiking to a playground, pool and thrill attractions. And if you time it right and visit in late July or early August the wildflowers will be in bloom and the huckleberries delicious.

Tip: Once you’ve explored the mountain, don’t forget to spend a day at City Beach in Sandpoint enjoying the sun, volleyball, sailing, beachside playground or swimming before heading a few blocks over to experience an “auto bridge” that is now enclosed and home to one of the most unique shopping experiences in the country.

Lodging accommodations

Schweitzer offers two on-site lodges, the Selkirk and White Pine, with a variety of room types to address different family needs. The lodges offer rooms from the standard double queen to three bedroom condos that can sleep up to ten people. The Selkirk Family Suite met the needs of our family of five. It included a queen bed and a twin bed over a second queen, a small kitchenette and table for in-room dining. The room was spacious enough not to be overcrowded when all five of us were present and quiet and relaxing when our youngest went down for her afternoon nap.

While the lodge included typical hotel amenities like an exercise room and small business center, it was the more unique features and Northwest flare that won over our family. The lodge includes a theater room (first family there picks the movie for the night!) as well as an outdoor heated pool with views of the mountain. It is difficult to describe how or why the pool won us over so completely, but unlike other experiences where the pool area is heavily regulated, Schweitzer takes a more relaxed approach. Do you want to take your food and beverages (even the adult type) out to the pool and eat dinner as the sun sets over the mountains and your children splash around in the shallow end or warm up in the hot tubs? Of course you do. And at Schweitzer they let you.

Note: don’t leave your Pucci’s Pub nachos (they are delicious) unattended as the adorable marmots will move in on them quickly!

The Selkirk Lodge also shares space with the Chimney Rock Grill and Mojo Coyote’s Coffee Shop. You don’t have to leave the building and both are excellent. While it was nice to be just a flight of stairs away from our morning lattes, we especially enjoyed the ample portions of the kids’ meals at Chimney Rock. The food came with attentive and quick service that thoughtfully seated us on the shaded patio keeping us out of the more congested areas and provided us with another opportunity to admire the views.

The Selkirk Lodge is centrally located in the Village and faces the common area on one side and the mountain on the other. From just outside our room we were able to play a game of giant checkers, spend time stargazing with our telescope, and watch the kids enjoy an impromptu dance party. A playground is adjacent, as is a massive colony of marmots, and deer and moose to spot. For reservations and rates go to Schweitzer.com.

The Schweitzer Ultimate Fun Pass

To help facilitate summertime fun in the Village, Schweitzer offers the Ultimate Fun Pass (UFP), which gives all-day (11am – 5pm) access to the chairlift and other paid attractions. The UFP attractions include unlimited chairlift rides, trips down the zip line (for those eight years old and 60 lbs), climbs up the climbing wall, and jumps on the trampoline jumper. Every UFP also includes one bag of dirt and jewels to be sluiced at Cranky Jennings Sluice Box which was a crowd favorite in our family.

Our 10-year-old took advantage of the unlimited rides on the 700’ foot long dual zip lines (and yes, mom did join her). This was an exhilarating adventure for both child and parent to enjoy together while offering us a unique view of Lake Pend Orielle down the valley. The modest length and height, as well as the extremely accommodating and friendly staff at both ends of the zip line, made for a perfect introduction to the sport for our traditionally tentative and risk-averting daughter. In fact, mom was more anxious than she was, especially the second time down the line.

Since our three and six-year-olds did not meet the minimum age or weight requirements, the rest of us moved the short distance in the Village to the trampoline jumper and climbing wall while older sister and mom enjoyed the zip line. A single parent was able to simultaneously supervise the two younger kids on the trampoline jumper and the 25-foot tall rock wall. This was made possible by the attentive and helpful staff who supervise both locations.

From all of the activities enjoyed with the UFP, surprisingly the sluice box was best received and enjoyed by all ages. Everyone who purchases the day pass receives a bag of dirt that contains hidden gems and stones. Using screens and a running channel of water you can wash away the dirt leaving just the treasures behind. From the magical discovery of a hidden gem to the trading of valuable items and even the imagining of enchanted powers related to different types of stones, the sluice box kept our kids entertained for an afternoon and their imaginations active for days. While we found one bag per kid to be an appropriate level of fun and amount of stones to haul around with us, for those wanting additional fun, individual bags are available for purchase in the Activity Center.

The most anticipated UFP activity for many is the chairlift ride to the summit. It was our three-year-old’s first open-air chairlift ride and we were a bit nervous starting out. Soon we were rewarded for our bravery with spectacular views of the valley below and a pleasant meal at the top of the mountain. Even for kids raised on the marvels of the computer-generated worlds of Star Wars, there is a jaw-dropping, ‘wow’-inducing moment, when you get to the top and turn around and look at the resort, tiny and insignificant by comparison, hovering above the valley and lake below.

The Nest at Sky House opened in 2016 and offers a relaxed but finer type of dining than we expected. If your family is looking for a kale Caesar, scallops, or steak sandwich, at 6000 plus elevation, you can’t go wrong. Kids under age 12 can pick from a cheese quesadilla, cheese pizza or bowl of noodles. The food was well prepared and our server was pleasant and attentive. The homemade raspberry lemonade was perfect for a hot summer day and fueled us up for another walk around the mountain’s summit. The Sky House Bar, also open 11am – 5pm, offers adults beverages as well. Staff will even provide to-go beverage cups as alcohol is permitted on all resort property.

Tip: for the budget-conscious families or ones with picky eaters, you may want to consider packing a picnic and taking it with you to the summit. Plenty of picnic tables are available, all with a view.

After lunch, our kids took advantage of the opportunity to wrestle around in front of a ‘Danger: Cliff’ sign (increasing parent anxiety) while others could enjoy a round of disc golf, a hike, or mountain bike ride down the mountain.

If you fear heights or have particularly squirmy kids (thankfully our three-year-old sat still except for the last 25 feet), the ride down the lift can be a white-knuckle experience. Rather than looking into and up the hill, you look out over the drop. While most families won’t be fazed by it, some will be hugging the little ones and tightly clinching the safety bar.

There are some practical considerations before purchasing the Ultimate Fun Pass:

Weight: Between 30 and 240 lbs for most activities. (60 lbs for the zip line)
Age: At least 8 years old for the zip line.
Shoes: You must have shoes that are closed over your toes and heel.

Note: Schweitzer may take a more relaxed approach around the pool; however, they do not mess around with age and weight limits on the Village attractions and mountain bike rentals. Be warned, you will be weighed on site, on an actual scale. Attractions can be purchased a la carte as well, at the Activity Center, if you don’t think your little ones will make full use of the pass.

Up next, additional summer activities…click on the button below to continue!

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Missouri with kids: Eco Adventure Ziplines

November 6, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re crossing the state of Missouri on I-70, plan ahead to make a pit stop at Exit 175 (Hermann/New Florence). Five miles off the highway is Eco Adventure Ziplines. It’s a perfect introduction to high-flying adventure for first timers as well as a great attraction for more experienced high-flyers interested in the natural beauty of this area. From booking to departure, this is an exceptionally well-run, smooth operation in which fun, safety, and nature come together.

The Eco Adventure Ziplines Experience

Founder Mike Seper wanted to transform a piece of rugged, wooded ground, unusable for agriculture, into a place where people could enjoy nature. The deep ravines in this area are ideally suited to ziplining, and he was committed to preserving the natural state of the ground as much as possible.

Mike and his team introduced my son and me to aerial adventures, and it was such a good experience that when we learned he had revamped the course, we returned with my parents. You might expect, as I once did, that it might be intimidating to take that first step off the platforms. It turns out all you actually have to do is sit down and pick your feet up. Both my son and I were pleasantly surprised to find that zip lining delivers a smoother, less body-jolting thrill than, say, a roller coaster.

You might also fear that you’ll screw up the safety equipment and put yourself in danger. But one of the things that makes this such a great introduction to ziplining is that two staff members accompany every tour—one to catch people at the end of each line, the other to hook and unhook you to the lines. Their competence and professionalism set us at ease, while their jokes made the experience enjoyable. They also gave a handful of mini lessons about the physics of ziplines and the ecosystem around us.

Tours begin right by the highway and take off through the woods, making use of deep folds in the hills. There are two options: the Soaring Six and the Treetop Flyer. Both start with the same lines, but when the short course turns back, the Treetop Flyer goes on for a full ten lines. The first two serve as a warmup, teaching you to use Mike’s specially designed braking system and keep yourself facing forward when momentum swings you around. But the high point (pun intended) of the tour is the “Super Zip.” At a quarter mile long, it takes nearly a full minute to cross the valley, and at its highest is more than 250 feet off the ground. It’s a stunning view.

Practical Considerations

Age: Eco Adventure Ziplines‘ tours are available to kids ages 3 and up.
Weight and waistline limits: riders can be no more than 250 pounds with a 42-inch waistline. Younger kids and those under 100 pounds may not be heavy enough to make it all the way across the long lines on their own, but can ride tandem with a guide.
Time: Plan on at least an hour and a half, and possibly two hours, for the Treetop Flyer tour. If you’re not sure whether your kids can handle the longer tour, with its higher zips, you can start with the Soaring Six. After the first few lines, the guides will give you the option to turn back or go on. On our first visit, about half of our group did just this, and most of them opted to complete the Treetop Flyer once they realized how comfortable and enjoyable the zips were.
Clothing: Long pants are more comfortable than shorts, but the only requirement is closed-toed shoes. The team will provide helmets, gloves, harness, and water bottles.
Add-ons: You can bring your own camera/phone on the tour, but you can also rent a specialized helmet-mounted digital camera that will capture the entire adventure on video.

Hours, Admission, and Booking

Reservations are required, so you’ll need to plan in advance. Tours run rain or shine throughout the spring, summer and fall. Weekday tours begin at 11, 1 and 3, with extra weekend departures at 9 and 5, but they will often work with you on scheduling to suit your needs. The booking page is very clear and easy to follow, with color coding and popups to indicate availability. The Soaring Six is $65, and the Treetop Flyer $85. You can also rent a specialized camera to capture the whole adventure on video—bring your own memory card or buy one on site.

Directions

Eco Adventure Ziplines is at 487 South Highway 19 in New Florence, Missouri. Take I-70 to Exit 175 and go south on Highway 19 toward Hermann for just under 5 miles. The small green-and-white building is on the right.

My son and I enjoyed ziplining as guests of Eco Adventure Ziplines, in exchange for an honest review.

Aerial adventure in St. Louis: Go Ape-St. Louis

June 9, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Driving through beautiful Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park in St. Louis, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled across an Ewok village. Actually, it’s Go Ape-St. Louis, an aerial obstacle course with ziplines.

The Go Ape experience

Our treetop adventure began with check-in at the red barn, where the attendant holds keys, wallets, and phones behind the counter for safe keeping. Before we headed out, a guide took us through safety training. Participants are responsible for securing themselves to the lines at every point during the adventure. That sounded intimidating to me, but the training was straightforward and thorough.

We started with a ground-level mockup of the safety systems used throughout the course, including the instructional signage posted at every crossing. Once the guide had checked our comprehension, we walked to the first station. It is low to the ground; for those who are unsure if they’re going to be able to handle the experience, this serves as a test site. If, after going through this first station, you don’t want to proceed, Go Ape offers a refund.

None of us quit, though. We went through one at a time so the guide could ensure we knew what we were doing. Then we were released to explore the course at our own pace.

Think of Go Ape as an aerial obstacle course. Each site begins with a rope ladder and ends with a zipline, but in between, we navigated bridges, swinging platforms, hanging rings, and more. (You do get a rest between—there are platforms between every component). As our guide said, what makes this fun is having to earn the zipline rides.

Obstacles are rated from easy to extreme, and any time there’s an “extreme,” there’s also an easier option. We took all the “extreme” paths, and I found it more physically demanding than I had anticipated. But I never felt in danger or even particularly aware of the height, because at all times, I was tethered to a safety line. I knew if I lost my balance, I’d only fall a foot or two at most. In fact, most of the time you can choose to take the easy way out and glide from one tree to the next, using the safety harness. But where’s the fun in that?

The single exception to the “short fall” is Go Ape’s central attraction: the Tarzan swing, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a long arc across open space that ends in a net you have to climb to achieve the platform on the far side. There are actually two, and the first is a warmup for the second. That second is a doozy, but if you chicken out at the last moment, there’s a bypass. (I’m proud to say I made the jump. Although my 12-year-old showed me up by doing it twice.)

Video of the Tarzan swing:

Note age limits: Although some Go Ape locations have a course for younger kids, St. Louis does not—yet, at least. Here, it is open to ages 10 and up. One adult (18+) must be in the treetops for every two children ages 10-15. 16-17 year olds don’t need a chaperone on site, but they will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Ground Level at Go Ape:

If your family is like mine, your spouse and most of your kids wouldn’t touch an aerial obstacle course with a ten-foot pole. Never fear. Adjacent to the red barn is a spray park and a really nice playground. And if the family wants walk along at ground level and watch their more adventurous counterparts, they can do that, too. You’ll also find employees roaming the course to offer support and suggestions to those in the treetops.

The rope ladders at the start of each site are enclosed within a locked fence; you have to have a code to enter. Inside, Go Ape provides water and paper cups as well as educational signage about conservation, endangered species and information about the trees and undergrowth surrounding you.

Making a day of it:

A treetop adventure lasts 2-3 hours. But because Go Ape partners with state and local parks, there’s always more to do in the immediate vicinity. In St. Louis’ Creve Coeur Memorial Park, you can supplement your treetop adventure with fishing, kayaking, canoeing, dirt biking, or disc golf.

Preparing for your treetop adventure:

Wear jeans and sneakers, and bring gloves. You can go without, but your skin will be happier if you have them. If you forget, Go Ape sells gloves on site.

Hours/Admission:

Hours vary, but Go Ape is generally open March through November. Your best bet is to book online ahead of time. Walk-ins are accepted, but having a reservation guarantees a spot when you arrive. Check out their FAQ page to get more details.

Location:

Go Ape is located at 13219 Streetcar Dr., Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Parking is free on site.

My son and I enjoyed our treetop adventure as guests of Go Ape, but our enthusiasm for the experience is all ours.

Summer activities at Utah ski resorts: What’s open right now

June 29, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

We love visiting ski resorts in the summer. We’ve visited Northstar California for mountain biking, played on ropes courses at Jiminy Peak and Big Sky, and have returned to Park City Mountain Resort several times to bike, zip line, hike, and enjoy Park City without the snowy backdrop. Ski resorts are the perfect road trip pit stop in summer, as their lodging is often ‘on sale’. Utah’s ski resorts are often en route to national parks and other outdoor summer vacation destinations. If you find yourself driving through Utah this summer, stop at one of the following top Utah ski resorts…without the snow.

Top summer activities at Utah ski resorts:

Sundance: Summer at Sundance includes kid and teen camps, as well as mountain biking hiking, and scenic lift rides. We love Sundance because of its profound beauty (perhaps even more lovely than most Utah resorts, and that’s saying something!). It’s also very compact, making it easy for families to explore without feeling like they’re in a huge ski complex. Families can rent cabins with kitchens to keep down on costs, and even take art classes at the art studio on site.
Snowbird: Snowbird’s summer offerings include the usual hiking and biking, but also gives the families the option of mine and water tunnel tours, GPS/orienteering classes (highly advisable!), a boundless playground, tram rides, and kids’ activities like a bungee trampoline. Snowbird is very close to Salt Lake City, making it an easy stop even for a day.
Park City Mountain Resort: For a one-stop shop for summer alpine fun, Park City Mountain Resort pretty much has it all. The area that used to be The Canyons has now merged with Park City, and its base area is still the happening place for mini-golf, zip lining (on mountain), and a world-class bike park. Kids can also try their hand at a ropes course, alpine slide, alpine coaster, or even join a summer camp.
Deer Valley: Deer Valley, like Park City Mountain Resort, has a bit of everything, making it a good home base for summer adventure if you have kids with competing interests. Their bike park is one of the best in the area, with new and improved ‘flow’ trails in their gravity-based terrain (lift-served). They added an intermediate trail last year, and will add a new beginner trail this year. There’s also all the usual suspects around the base, trampolines and the option of scenic lift rides. Within the resort, families can also horseback ride and paddle board.
Eagle Point: If you’re coming or going to Las Vegas, Southern California, or Arizona, Eagle Point is a great place to stop for some summer fun in a higher (cooler) elevation. This summer, they’ll offer mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and even ATV-riding for families.

Opening and closing dates for all Utah ski resorts this summer:

Alta	June 1 – Sept. 15
Beaver Mountain	TBD
Brian Head	June 26 – September 7
Brighton	Closed for Summer
Canyons	June 18-TDB
Cherry Peak	Summer Concert Series (See Below)
Deer Valley	June 17 – Sept. 5 (Plus weekends till Sept. 18th)
Eagle Point	TBD
Nordic Valley	June 18 – August 27 (weekends)
Park City Mountain Resort	Park City Base: May 27 – Oct. 23 I Canyons Village: June 17 – Sept. 5
Powder Mountain	TBD
Snowbasin Resort	June 11 – Oct. 9 (Open weekends)
Snowbird	June 18 – Oct. 16
Solitude Resort	June 17 – Oct. 2
Sundance	May 20 – Oct. 9