Zip through the trees with Canopy Tours

See the forest from the trees in a green zip line adventure at Idaho Canopy Tours Inc., currently being constructed in Boundary County.

Boundary County Commissioners agreed to allow Lisa Robbe to construct the zip line park on her property off of Christmas Lane.

The site is located in the mountains of the McArthur Lake Wildlife Corridor between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

Robbe said Idaho Canopy Tours should be open in spring2012. A sneak preview is planned for Boundary County community members prior to the official opening.

Zip lines are popular tourist destinations for adventure seekers of all ages.

The line is a cable suspended above an incline to which a pulley and harness are attached the person riding, and zips through the forest.

A person rides from  platform to platform through the trees. The zip line park will have six to eight 600 foot lines.

Tours will last about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  This universally accessible nature park will also utilize  suspension bridges and rope swings that allow guests to travel through the forest canopy without touching ground. These elements ensure the protection of wildlife habitat.

“We have already broken ground,” said Robbe. “There is a collection of amazing local talent lined up helping put this project together.”

Mike Richardson, a certified arborist from Boundary County, will take care of everything related to the trees such as making sure they are stable for lines and healthy.

“We will be doing everything without having to use large bolting to the trees,” Robbe said.  “This helps keep the trees healthy.”

Kelly Navaro helped with the vision and will be the administrator and coordinate green education, and corporate retreat programs. She is also planning on being an on site certified holistic counselor, conducting green education and sustainable living education.  

 Robbe’s neighbors, Damon and Leona Norman, will help with landscaping.  They also will teach how to survive off-grid in the elements.

Lead contractor is Kirk Ellis.

  Kirk brews ethanol locally. The fuel is approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for use.  The park’s owners will use his ethanol in the shuttle van.

“Not only will this be a fun park to visit for the adventure it will be educational as well, teaching green techniques,” said Robbe.  “Zip lines use no electricity, emit no fumes, burn no fossil fuels or significantly impact the environment.”

Robbe plans to offer two tours per day, four days per week through the summer season.

For each 12 guests, there will be two guides, each licensed by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.

Robbe hopes Idaho Canopy Tours will boost the local economy by attracting new visitors to the area and give people another reason to vacation in north Idaho.

For more information, contact Lisa Robbe at 208-660-2519 or lisarobbe@gmail.com.