Our zip line guides all receive extensive training. This consists of a a multi-day, hands-on training course. This includes on-course training, rescue training and technical book training. Prior to receiving certification to work on the course, they must pass a written assessment test, an on-course practical assessment and rescue assessment. Additionally, all newly trained guides and crew will work together with our experienced personnel for several months. Bi-weekly practice and evaluation of rescue techniques is also required of all guides and crew. All tour guides and crew personnel are First Aid and CPR trained.

Our course was built to meet or exceed ACCT professional building standards. As a company, we actively participate in efforts to improve and expand the current standards. We actively encourage all other owner/operators of zip line tours to adhere to these safety standards. While no adventure based business should ever state that they guarantee your safety, we do everything possible to attempt to minimize all potential risks associated with our tours.

All Tours:

• We require all participants to wear closed-toed shoes.
• Anyone with long hair should come prepared to tie their hair back.

Original Canopy, Aerial Trekking, and Full Adventure Tours

Age:

• Participants must be 7 or older to participate.
• Participants between the ages of 7-15 must be accompanied by an adult, but must be able to participate independently of the adult.

Weight:

• Participants must weigh between 60-265 lbs.
• Participants weighing between 60-75 lbs may be required to zip tandem with one of our guides.
• Tandem zips are not allowed with parents, only trained zip line guides.
• Please contact us if you have a participant weighing between 60-75 lbs. There are no exceptions to these rules.
• Every participant will be weighed at our clubhouse, and those that do not meet the weight requirements will not be allowed to participate.

Other Details:

• Our activities are designed for use by participants of average mobility and strength and who are in reasonably good health.
• Each participant must be physically able to control the speed of their travel along the zip lines by creating friction on the cable with leather gloves.
• Each participant must be able to pull themselves along the zip cable in the event they lose momentum before reaching any given landing platform.
• There are two nature hikes, approximately totaling 1,500 feet and three sets of stairs, approximately totaling 10 flights of stairs.
• Each participant must be able to complete these walks and stairs.
• Pregnant women, people with heart, leg, or back problems, or other serious illnesses will not be allowed to participate on the tour.
• No one under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or impairing legal drugs, will be allowed to participate on the tour.
• We are a family-oriented facility so everyone is asked to have a positive and encouraging attitude. Foul language will not be tolerated and is action for removal from the tour.

Kids Zip:

Age:

• Kids must be between 3 and 7 years of age.
• Parents may use the walking path along the tour to accompany their children.

Weight:

• Kids must weigh 60 lbs or less.

Dual Race:

Age:

• Participants must be 5 or older to participate.

Weight:

• Less than 265 lbs.

• Every participant must sign a Waiver and Release Form.
• Participants under the age of 18 must have a signed Waiver by a parent or legal guardian.
• If the parent is not present, a photocopy of the parent’s driver’s license must accompany the signed Waiver.

• Harnesses, Helmets, Gloves, and all other participant gear are required to be worn at all times by all participants. All participant gear will be provided by the business.
• Closed-toed shoes are required.
• Long hair must be tied back.
• No dangling jewelry.
• No skirts.
• It is the participant’s responsibility to dress appropriately for the weather and outdoor environment.

If you arrive for your tour, and decide not to zip due to fear, we will give you a rain check. This rain check will be good for you only, for your use one time, within the current season. We encourage you to try again.

You will be fitted with a seat harness and chest harness, a trolley system, 2 lanyards with safety clips, gloves and a helmet. The equipment is similar to rock climbing equipment, but specially designed for a zip line course.

The majority of our participants have never done a zip line course before. Don’t worry, your guides will give you a complete orientation and training session before we take you on the course. The training session includes a short zip a few feet off the ground, so you will know what it feels like before you go out onto the course.

It is not uncommon to have a fear of heights. Many people who have a fear of heights are still able to enjoy our zip line tours. You will be clipped to a 1/2 inch steel cable at all times when you are off the ground. Our professional employees are thoroughly trained in zip line course procedures, and will be with you throughout the entire course to answer all your questions and provide support.

During the canopy tour you will be anywhere from 0 feet to 100 feet above the ground.

You will need to wear closed-toed shoes (such as tennis shoes). Wear comfortable clothing, but please avoid loose clothing (no scarves, etc.). Long hair needs to be tied back. Women should not wear skirts. Short shorts are not recommended, as they are not comfortable while wearing your harness. Dress for the weather forecasted. We do operate in the rain, so please be prepared. Please do not wear any dangling jewelry. Also, please remove all things from your pockets, such as cell phones and wallets. You don’t want them falling out during the tour. We do have a secure place to store your valuables so we prefer that you leave valuables at home or locked in your car. Northwoods Zip Line is not responsible for property lost, damaged, or stolen during your tour.

Yes, we operate in the rain. However, the course will be closed if there is lightning activity in the area. We will also close for high winds. If we know in advance that we will be closed, we will try to contact you at the contact number you provided to us when you booked your tour. If your tour is canceled due to weather, you can either rebook for another time, or we will refund your tour cost.

Please be aware in November, the temperature can be quite cold. Zipping in the cold is fun, if you are dressed for the weather. We recommend that you layer your clothing. Based upon the temperature we recommend you consider wearing long underwear, wool socks, warm cap, warm jacket, glove liners (full gloves will not fit under the gloves you will be required to wear to zip) and ski outerwear, face mask (if very cold). We have “hot hands” and glove liners for sale at the course. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office.

You must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. This will give you enough time to check-in and prepare for your tour. If you are not checked in at least 5 minutes prior to your tour time, your space may be given away to another participant.

Reservations are recommended for the zip line canopy tour. Each one of our tour groups is limited to 8 participants and requires two guides. To enable us to provide you with the best experience, we recommend reservations. If you do not have a reservation, we will do our best to accommodate you on a space available basis.

Yes they do. We highly recommend purchasing a photo and/or video package at the time you make your reservation in order to save money.

We have very high safety standards which is reflected in our course design, construction, training, inspections and participant education as further explained below. Whether you decide to zip with us or someone else, we encourage you to become familiar with the course’s safety standards and ongoing procedures.

• Industry Standards – The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) sets the safety standards that we follow.
• Design and Construction – Our course was designed and constructed by the most respected builder in the industry.
• Inspections – We have our zip line canopy tour inspected annually by an independent “qualified” inspector (as defined by ACCT). All trees on our course and adjacent to it are inspected by a qualified inspector at least annually. Additionally, the courses are inspected after a specified amount of usage, which is usually every two weeks, by our specially trained personnel. Before any participant enters our courses each day, they are inspected by our trained guide and crew personnel. All equipment is also closely inspected every day prior to use.
• Ground School – All participants on the zip line canopy tours are required to attend and pass our Ground School. This is given by your guides prior to entering the course. We train each participant to perform all activities that may be required from them out on the course. The guides also use this as an opportunity to evaluate all participants to make sure they have the ability to safely complete the course.
• Reservation of rights – We do reserve the right to exclude anyone from participation for medical, safety, or other reasons.
• Safety Attachment – All persons on the zip line canopy tour course are clipped into overhead safety belay cables at all times they are off the ground. The guides handle all the clipping for the participants, so there is no possibility of an inexperienced participant accidentally unclipping themselves from the safety belay cables.
• Single Cable System – “Aren’t two cables better than one?” Many participants wonder why we choose a single cable versus a double cable system for our zip line canopy tour. Our philosophy is that with two cables, there is twice the chance of a cable failure than with one. With a double cable system, each cable is only half the strength of our single cable. So, if one cable fails, there is a likelihood that the second could also fail.
• Braking – Our zip line canopy tour requires those participating in the tour to do hand braking. This system is backed up by a guide controlled prusik brake. So, we have a redundant backup brake system, versus just relying on one system. Our course was designed to safely accommodate the hand braking, by using gravity to slow each participant slightly prior to reaching the platform. This also allows the participants to actively participate in their experience.
• Emergency Action Plan – In the event that there is an occurrence that requires immediate attention, we have an Emergency Action Plan in place. This is a written plan, that all company personnel are trained to know and execute.