Close To Home
Denver Zipline tours
Conifer
The Draw: Colorado’s fastest zip line—and the closest course to Denver (guides will transport you to and from downtown or the Tech Center for $10/person)—is best enjoyed by booking a combo package ($175), which tacks on a guided rafting, hiking, or rock climbing excursion.
By The Numbers: Six lines, 850 to 1,906 feet long, are rigged 230 feet above a pine-covered valley.
Thrill Factor: Hit up to 55 mph on the steep finale, dubbed the Screamer.
Book It: $119, denverziplinetours.com

All Ages
Zip Adventures
Vail/Wolcott
The Draw: Family-friendly adventure (it caters to kids as young as two) blends with sweeping Vail Valley views. Your 10-minute ride from the Wolcott meeting spot to the course is in an Austrian military transport vehicle.
By The Numbers: Six lines, 200 to 1,000 feet long, dangle you 200 feet above Alkali Creek Canyon.
Thrill Factor: Starting in July, leap from the rim of the canyon on the 100-foot rope swing.
Book It: $150, zipadventures.com

5280 June 2013
More From The Issue

Young At Heart
Captain Zipline
Salida
The Draw: The state’s first zip line, which opened in 2005, is adding Colorado’s only European-style aerial park—a grown-up playground made from swinging bridges, tightropes, ladders, and obstacles—this month.
By The Numbers: Seven lines, 80 to 700 feet long, run 100 to 200 feet above Lost Canyon.
Thrill Factor: Race a friend on the two parallel Adrena-Line cables.
Book It: $89 (zip line), $59 (park), captainzipline.com

Getaway
Soaring Tree Top Adventures
Durango
The Draw: One of the world’s longest courses—accessible only by a private car on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (included in the fee)—whisks you through old-growth aspen and pine for an all-day excursion and a four-course lunch.
By The Numbers: Twenty-seven lines, 56 to 1,400 feet long, combine for almost two miles of zipping.
Thrill Factor: Zip upside down over the Animas River.
Book It: $459, soaringcolorado.com

Year-Round
Crested Butte ZipLine tour
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
The Draw: This on-mountain course is a bonus to skiing, snowboarding, or mountain biking. A 20-minute hike takes you to the 9,300-foot starting area. Ride rain, snow, or shine.
By The Numbers: Five lines, 120 to 400 feet long, are connected by three suspension bridges and eight lofted platforms.
Thrill Factor: Up the ante by riding backward with your eyes closed.
Book It: $60, skicb.com/zip

_____

Note: Fees are for one run of the complete course. Most adventures average 2.5 hours.