Last weekend, Brighton and I went on a Utah adventure that I’ve been wanting to try out for a while: the ZipTour at Sundance Mountain Resort! I love high-flying, heart-thumping types of adventures especially when they feature views of the beautiful Wasatch mountains and high-speeds. It was a nice break from our usual hiking adventures.
The ZipTour at Sundance has the highest vertical drop of any other tour in the US! Brighton and I were able to ride side-by-side, control our speed (rare on ziplines), and get up to 65+ mph as we flew down the mountain. The ZipTour is comprised of 5 different line spans: Demo, Ray’s, Bishops, Flathead, and Outlaw. The longest and steepest, Outlaw, is 3,871 ft long! The entire tour is 1.8 miles soaring through the air and trees.
Another perk: the ziptour is available year-round. I plan on taking my family when they come to visit this Christmas. Seasons ensure the scenery is always changing.
Hours & Location
Summer Hours
Tours operate daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 19 – October 8: 7 days a week
The Experience
Prior to the start of the summer season, we bought a 2-for-1 ZipTour package. It was available to use anytime before October, so last weekend we decided to cash-in! We were able to book a time same-day, about 2 hours in advance. We signed the waivers they sent us via email before we left, so when we arrived we just went directly to the check-in to get our gear and safety instruction.
Something I really appreciated with this experience is the Resort’s attention to safety. While I am not really afraid of heights, I do want to make sure I am taking all of the safety precautions as possible. After exiting the lift, and before doing any of the longer lines, there is a Demo span to practice stopping/starting the trolley on the line. Even before the bigger spans, there’s another shorter span to practice again with higher speeds. By the third span, I was really comfortable with the mechanics and could let myself enjoy the experience without worrying about stopping in time or any other concerns.
The experience begins by riding Ray’s lift to the Demo and Ray spans to practice with the equipment. After the practice rounds, which were still enjoyable, the tour takes you up to the top of Arrowhead Summit. There’s some amazing views down to Provo as well as over to Heber and Mt. Timpanogos and other surrounding mountains in this part of the Wasatch range.
This is where the real speed and vertical drops begin as the spans get progressively longer as you make you way back down to the resort. At this point, Brighton and I were no longer hesitant to go full speed through the lift. One of the tour operators told us that they’ve gone as fast as 90 mph on the last span— and I believe it! The site advertises 65, and it seemed like we were going that fast for sure.
At the conclusion of the tour, you return the gear to check-in area and you’re all set! We rented a GoPro helmet mount for our camera that was free as long as it was not lost or damaged upon return. That was a nice amenity to take advantage of since I don’t already own a helmet mount.
What to Know Before Going
- The tour takes about 2 to 2.5 hours total.
- There isn’t any “hiking” but you will be wearing a 10 lb backpack that they place the trolley equipment each time you finish a span. The backpack has a zipper area that you can store phone, keys, wallet, etc.
- Wear sneakers/hiking boots that are sturdy, stay tight on your feet, and flat-soled
- The harness is not the most comfortable, so wear athletic, comfortable clothing
- You will be flying through the air, so if you tend to get chilly especially with wind-chill, bring a jacket
- At the time of this post, the price for the full tour is $99/person
- If you have a GoPro with no helmet mount, you can rent them for free as long as you sign a waiver
- The tour takes about 2 to 2.5 hours total.
- There isn’t any “hiking” but you will be wearing a 10 lb backpack that they place the trolley equipment each time you finish a span. The backpack has a zipper area that you can store phone, keys, wallet, etc.
- Wear sneakers/hiking boots that are sturdy, stay tight on your feet, and flat-soled
- The harness is not the most comfortable, so wear athletic, comfortable clothing
- You will be flying through the air, so if you tend to get chilly especially with wind-chill, bring a jacket
- At the time of this post, the price for the full tour is $99/person
- If you have a GoPro with no helmet mount, you can rent them for free as long as you sign a waiver
This was a fun, weekend adventure that was perfect for summer as everything is lush and green on the mountains. The weather was a perfect temperature with the clouds. This is an activity that would be great for a special occasion, family gathering, or for visiting tourists!
For more information, visit Sundance’s website here.
Have you been ziplining before? Where was the coolest place you have ever ziplined?