Soar through frosted forests with winter ziplining

A zipline trip can give you a unique bird’s eye view of the mountains— even in the winter.

“The sparkle of the snow makes a zipline tour even more scenic— almost magical,” said Brandi Warwick from ACE Adventure Resort. “It is a totally different experience in the winter. In the summer, the leaves on the trees make it hard to see everything.”

A winter zipline tour at ACE reveals clear views of the New River Gorge and beyond. And weather variations won’t halt adventurers, since ziplines run through snow and rain.

ACE is located just three miles outside Oak Hill. They offer canopy tour packages throughout the year, but there’s often a discount on winter lodging, making it an affordable getaway for budget-minded travelers.

You can also take a zipline tour year-round at Harpers Ferry Canopy Tours. Their two-three hour guided ride glides you alongside the Potomac River. The eight ziplines vary from 200 to almost 800 feet long, and several suspension bridges, belayed ladder climbs and a 25-foot freefall add to your adventure. Along the way, you’ll soak in uninterrupted vistas of the Potomac River.

Because it’s low season, you’ll want to call ahead– at least 24 hours. You’ll also need at least four people to book a trip. They even have packages for birthday parties, business meetings, team building activities and other special events.

In the New River Gorge, Adventures on the Gorge keeps their TreeTops Zipline tour open throughout the winter. The TreeTops course lets you coast along zips from 190 to 640 feet long. You’ll also trek four sky bridges, hike the forest and drop down a 35-foot rappel.

The tour meanders throughout Mill Creek, and the snow-kissed endangered Hemlocks and rhododendrons below create an almost Narnia-esque atmosphere. During the winter, zipliners can even enjoy a discounted rate.

Have you soared over the winter trees on a zipline?

This post was last updated on July 25, 2023