TreeTops Canopy Tour FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the New River Gorge Treetops Canopy Tour.Are Reservations Necessary for Treetops Canopy Tour?
Reservation are recommended. Each Treetops Canopy Tour can accommodate groups of 8 guests per tour and approximately 90 total people per day. To ensure that you can participate, we highly recommend you make a reservation but we will attempt to accommodate walk-ins as possible.Who Can Take a Treetops Canopy Tour?
It's a good idea to consult your family physician to determine whether you are physically capable of handling an increase in activity, adrenaline and short walks up hills.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 those hills.
Each zip drops at a 10% slope, and your weight 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).
What Are Canopy Tour Age Requirements? Are Their Age Limits?
Our recommended age is 10 and children between the ages of 10 and 15 must be accompanied by an adult. At this time we do not have a maximum age. (Most children are not afraid of heights, however, age is an indicator of size and maturity.)Do We Need To Sign A Waiver?
Yes. 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.Do You Run Canopy Tours In Bad Weather?
Yes indeed! Canopy Tours run rain or shine. We 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 Canopy 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.How Large Of A Group Can You Accommodate?
The answer is 8! Our trees are huge. The platforms are approximately 10-12 feet in diameter and can comfortably hold 8 guests plus the two tour guides. For this reason and others, 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 staged every half hour. We can accommodate approximately 90 guests a day.
How Do You Train Your Staff?
TreeTops Canopy Tours at the New River Gorge 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 in a real learning environment.
How Safe Are Zip Lines and Canopy Tours?
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.Do You Have a Map of the Canopy Tour?
Indeed! View it here.What is Your Cancellation Policy?
Our cancellation policy for canopy tours and our rafting cancellation policy is the same.What If I Am Afraid?
Most people 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.
What Is The Conservation Fee Used For?
Great question! TreeTops Canopy Tour traverses through and lands in many Eastern Hemlock trees. These trees are in danger from the Wooley Adelgid, a small white insect that attaches to the underside of 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—$1 per person—will help treat, preserve and maintain this small section of Hemlock forest along Mill Creek from the Wooley Adelgid.What Should I Wear?
Closed-toed 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 to 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.
