The
good news is that Idaho Canopy Tours and Zipline
course anticipates its grand opening later this
summer, 2012.The tour will have course elements that are unique in the U.S., making this an exciting, one-of-a-kind adventure!
The better news is that a squealing, pinwheel waving insurance advertising shill ... a pig named Maxwell ... has introduced the world to a new kind of fun. We'll just have to wait a little longer until the best zip-line tour in the country is up and running.
Since receiving their special use permit from the county last year, Idaho Canopy Tours has mapped out Phase One of the canopy and zipline course. In keeping with their philosophy of "think local/buy local/hire local," they have retained the services of Boundary County resident and certified arborist Michael Richardson to help design, build and maintain the course.
"We’ve identified some amazing and huge trees that will hold guests at least 60 feet up from the forest floor," owner Lisa Robbe said. "We completed additional state applications, received the 'go-ahead' from Idaho Fish and Game, and passed the state licensing exam."
After attending the premier industry conference in Boston earlier this month, with nearly 1,000 atendees, Robbe said she is excited to start their spring construction season, and add Boundary County to the list of places where this exciting past-time is enjoyed.
Amazingly, zip-lining has gained national media attention thanks to a Geico Insurance ad campaign featuring Maxwell, an annoying pig who says "wee wee wee!" all the way home as he joyously holds a pinwheel out the window of a car or zips down a zip line ... (if you haven't seen it yet, the video is here).
"I've been getting calls from around the country lately about the course county planning and zoning approved, and whether it's really going to happen," said county zoning administrator Mike Weland. "Lisa did an amazing job at the hearing, and earned the unanimous approval of the planning and zoning commission despite many concerns that were raised by neighbors through the public hearing process. This is one of the only applications I can remember in my dozen years as county zoning administrator where even people who once adamantly opposed the idea are now wondering when and if it's going to happen. Lisa had no way of knowing Geico was going to feature a zip-lining pig, but for her, I think, the timing couldn't be better ... the comments I'm hearing now are more along the lines of 'why isn't this open yet?'"
For more information, questions or to book a Boundary County zip-line event when all is ready, call Lisa at (208) 660-2519 or email lisarobbe@gmail.com.
You might want to contact Geico, too ... just to ask if Maxwell is interested in riding the best new zip-line in the world!