Unique Muskoka August

Above: Guide Evan Payne and a climber take a break on a platform at the aerial park in
Huntsville. A series of zip lines and challenges make up the course that runs through the
treetops. Left: All safety equiptment, like these carabiners, are checked daily for wear.
“The most popular is the zip line
canopy tour,” says Santa’s Village general
manager Jamie Hopkins of the zip line
attraction, now in its second year at the
park.
“It’s an aerial adventure. The thrill of
zipping.” The seven zip lines cover
almost 1,000 feet and start 45 feet up in
the air.
The aerial adventure course was
completely redesigned and rebuilt last
season.
“Nothing is the same as it was in
2014,” says Hopkins. “It is more
challenging but easier as you start. As
you progress, it is more difficult.”
The aerial park and adventure course
at Santa’s Village was designed by
Challenges Unlimited, a Bracebridge
company that builds and supplies adventure
courses all over North America.
“It has great flow, excellent variety and it
is unbelievably safe,” says Hopkins.
“There is a lot more variety in the actual
course as you progress through it,” he adds.
“The challenges grow more difficult and you are
very high. There is the thrill of accomplishing
something out of your comfort zone.”
At Santa’s Village, the Quick Jump offers
a thrill to those courageous enough to take
the leap off a few planks of wood that are 42
feet from the ground. The device lets you
drop 15 feet before slowly lowering you to
the ground. There is also the option with a
shorter drop, but from the same height.
The Quick Jump is a tough step to take
Photographs: Sandy Lockhart
46 UNIQUE MUSKOKA August 2016