Canopy Tour Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about the New River Gorge Canopy Tours and zip lines.
Question: Are Reservations Necessary for Treetops Canopy Tour?
Answer: Each Treetops Canopy Tour can accommodate groups of 8 guests per tour and approximately 90 to 120 total people per day. To ensure that you can participate on a tour, we highly recommend you make a reservation but we will attempt to accommodate walk-ins, if possible.Question: Can I participate on a Treetops Canopy Tour?
Answer: Canopy tours by nature are an adventure activity. Heights effect each participant differently. You can expect to feel an increase in adrenaline which triggers an increase in respiration, heart beat, and pulse. TreeTops Canopy Tour has five sky bridges and two short hikes. The hike is 830 feet at a 20% grade and the second is about 200 feet. You need to be in good enough condition to walk up hill. It is wise to consult your family physician to determine whether you are physically capable to handle an increase in activity, adrenaline and short walk up the hill. Each zip drops at a 10% slope. The weight of a participant effects the speed at which you travel. For your safety and ours, participants need to weigh a minimum of 90 lbs. and a maximum of 260 lbs. (These are guidelines and depend on the participants physical and mental ability. Please consult your guide if you have any questions).
Question: Is there a Canopy Tour Age Limit?
Answer: Most children are not afraid of heights, however, age is an indicator of size and maturity. Our recommended age is 10 and children between the ages of 10 – 15 must be accompanied by an adult. At this time we do not have a maximum age.Question: Do We Need To Sign A Release Form?
Answer: Before participating on any adventure activities, each participant is required to read and sign a release form, which includes a waiver of liability, an assumption of risk and an indemnification. If you or anyone in your group would like to see the release form in advance, you may download a copy of our release form or we will be glad to mail or fax you a copy. ALL MINORS, not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, need to bring a signed copy of TreeTops Canopy Tour's release form the day of trip.Question: Do You Run Tours In Bad Weather?
Answer: We go rain or shine. We will temporarily close the course during lightning storms or high winds. If we know in advance that we will be closed, we will try to contact you. If your tour is canceled, we will offer you the option to participate in another activity, rebook for a different day or time, or issue a rain check.Question: How Big Of A Group Can You Accommodate?
Answer: Our trees are huge. The platforms are approximately 10 to 12 foot in diameter and can comfortably hold 8 guests plus the two tour guides. For this reason and other safety reasons, we will combine small groups or split large groups to make a tour of 8 plus two tour guides. Tours leave every 30 to 45 minutes so a large group would be split into groups of 8 and stage every half hours. We can accommodate approximately 90 guests a day.
Question: How Do You Train Your Staff?
Answer: TreeTops Canopy Tours works closely with S.T.E.P.S. Inc., the training side of Bonsai Design, to provide our staff with leading edge training, customized training manuals and documentation. The training methods and materials exceed ACCT safety standards.- Our staff participate in an intensive training program (five days in length) to cover the fundamentals of facilitation, technical skill development, risk and site management. Our staff are also trained on the local culture and history, the New River Gorge, the flora and fauna and geology.
- To insure consistency our staff undergo follow-up mentoring and, if necessary, additional training to develop staff in a real learning environment.
Question: How Safe Are Zip Lines and Canopy Tours?
Answer: As in any adventure sport or activity, there is always the potential risk for accidents. TreeTops Canopy Tour was built to meet or exceed ACCT professional building standards. To mitigate the risk our guides are professionally trained and our equipment is very high quality. The course and equipment are inspected daily.Question: Do You Have a Map of the Canopy Tour?
Answer: We sure do! View it here.Question: Cancellation and Other Policies?
Answer: Our cancellation policy for canopy tours is the same as our rafting policy.Question: What If I Am Afraid?
Answer: Squirrel, one or our senior raft guides, is quick to say, "Suck it up baby". Actually most folks are anxious or nervous prior to starting. Our professional guides will review the procedures, explain the hazards and quickly reassure you. You will be double clipped onto double steel cables which are capable of supporting more than a ton of weight. However, at anytime during the practice zip you can decide to quit. Once we start down the canyon we will land in trees up to 80 feet off the ground, making it more risky to abort. Halfway through the tour we will walk across the fourth sky-bridge which lands on the ground. At this point we can escort you off the tour.Question: What Is The Conservation Fee Used For?
Answer: TreeTops Canopy Tour traverses through, and lands in, many Eastern Hemlock trees. The Wooley Adelgid is a small white powdery insect which attaches to the underside of the Hemlock leaves. Over a five to ten year period, the Wooley Adelgid sucks the nutrients from leaves, ultimately killing the tree. Part of your canopy tour fee will help treat, preserve and maintain this small section of Hemlock forest along Mill Creek from the Wooley Adelgid. Your tour includes $1.00 "Conservation Fee" per users on you invoice.Question: What To Wear?
Answer: Solid toe secure footwear is required (flip flops are not acceptable). Wear comfortable pants or shorts and shirt, (avoid loose clothing such as scarves, skirts or dresses and loose jewelry) sunglasses, sunscreen and a camel-back water pack are optimum equipment. Long hair should be tied back. You will be fitted with a harness which has adjustable leg loops, belt, and shoulder harness and a helmet. Dress for the weather forecast. In spring and fall, bring wool or polypropylene jackets and a windbreaker. For cold and wet weather, bring a jacket or polypropylene, pile fleece, and a windbreaker. (We go rain or shine.) We supply gloves which are used for braking and keep you hands warm. Phones, wallets, and other lose items should be locked in your car. We give you the option to store your car keys at our facility.
