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Vail Epic Discovery Update

Testing the zip lines of Vail’s new Game Creek canopy tour, set to debut as a part of Epic Discovery in summer 2016. Photo: Andrew Taylor

Who else wants that guy’s job? Yesterday testing was conducted on the zip lines of Vail’s new Game Creek canopy tour, slated to open for summer 2016 as a part of the resort’s new summer mountain experience, Epic Discovery.

Employees of Bonsai, the manufacturer of the new canopy tour, have been working on construction of the new activity throughout the summer and performed tests yesterday on the zip lines as a part of the final steps of the construction process.

When the Game Creek canopy tour opens in summer 2016 as a part of Epic Discovery, it will offer guests a new way to see and experience Vail Mountain. The approximately two-and-a-half hour guided tour through Game Creek Bowl will feature a series of seven different zip lines that span more than 10,000 feet, and one aerial bridge. The longest single zip line will be more than 2,700 feet long and the highest zip line will be approximately 300 feet above the ground. In addition to the high-flying action, guests will also learn about the natural environment they are immersed in on the tour, including the wildlife, weather, plants, topography, and surrounding mountain ranges.

Construction has also been taking place this summer on the new Forest Flyer, which will debut as a part of the Epic Discovery experience along with the Game Creek canopy tour next summer. Keep scrolling for more pics of construction that has taken place this summer!

Epic Discovery: A Summer Mountain Adventure

Summer in the mountains is taking on a whole new feel with Epic Discovery, and Vail Resorts is once again leading the ski industry by being the first to submit and develop a comprehensive new summer activities plan in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Nature Conservancy. Vail Resorts’ Epic Discovery program encourages “learn through play,” promoting environmental education and forest stewardship through a variety of outdoor activities and interpretive programming. Vail Mountain will be one of the first destinations in the Vail Resorts family to launch Epic Discovery in summer 2016.

Vail’s existing Adventure Ridge has already undergone enhancements in preparation for Epic Discovery over the past few years with the addition of a zip line, two challenge courses, a kids challenge course and kids zip line, and summer tubing. All of these activities, along with the Forest Flyer and Game Creek canopy tour, will be incorporated into Epic Discovery when it debuts in summer 2016.

Construction on the Forest Flyer, photo by Andrew Taylor:

Flying in the Canopy Tour towers, photos by Andrew Taylor: