UPFRONT AT BLUE
BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT
10 YEARS IN THE CANOPY: BLUE’S TIMBER CHALLENGE HIGH ROPES We’re only halfway up to the base of the Timber Challenge and my legs are burning and my heart is pumping. It’s a warm day but there’s some beautiful shade once we get up into the forest canopy where the course begins. After a quick stop at Base Camp, just past the Ridge Runner, we are harnessed up and ready to go for our high ropes adventure. Having done the Woodlot Low Ropes course as a family, I’m hoping that I’m up for the challenge of its sister attraction—a higher, longer and more intense ropes course with amazing views of Georgian Bay and the town of Collingwood. Initially installed in 2012, the Timber Challenge turns 10 this year and continues to evolve. For 2022, Blue Mountain Resort has added a continuous belay system—bringing the course to the cutting edge of international standards and making it accessible for an even wider age range. The new system is super-easy to use, and takes way less time to move from platform to platform. Guests remain safely harnessed at all times. “This is the biggest investment we’ve made in improving the high ropes experience since its original installation,” says Ryan Fiechtner, Blue’s Director of Mountain Experience. And it's a substantial improvement for families with kids as young as 10; this simpler belay system means they can explore together more easily. Worried you’ll be in over your head? While the obstacles are 20
definitely high up, they are not necessarily high in difficulty. The course is divided into green, blue and black routes, echoing the difficulty ratings on the ski slopes at Blue. Green is great for beginners, blue routes are moderate and black are the most challenging. That’s not the only snow season tie-in—the green course has a gliding aerial snowboard that you balance on while sliding through the trees.
For 2022, Blue has added a continuous belay system—bringing the course to the cutting edge of international standards and making it accessible for an even wider age range. “This type of activity gets guests up into the treetop and really submerses them in the natural beauty of Blue while giving them a sense of adventure and accomplishment,” says Fiechtner. The Timber Challenge makes a great add-on to your Blue Mountain visit as a family, a team building experience or a school group. Get all the details at www.bluemountain.ca –Allison Kennedy Davies
