Ziptrek Ecotours basks in Superbowl hype

Zipping across building tops and crowded streets in the Indianapolis Superbowl Village seems world’s away from the Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown forest experience, but the two are inextricably intertwined.

The Ziptrek Ecotours urban zipline hit USA headlines last week as NFL celebrity player Cris Carter harnessed up then decided he couldn’t make the jump, describing his refusal to step off the platform as ‘time to pass the ball to a teammate’. TV celebrity late night host Jimmy Fallon took the leap though, describing the ride as “so awesome, crazy ... I don't know why you guys use zip lines here, we use subways in New York City… It felt like Peyton Manning throwing you 500 yards."

The urban zipline was set up by Ziptrek Ecotours Whistler – the parent company of Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown, taking the fun and excitement of ziplining, and its ecological messages, down from the trees and into the city.

Four ziplines were set up in the Superbowl Village and were tagged the ‘toughest ticket in town’ by Indiana’s Daily Journal newspaper which commented that “it would be easier to get a ticket to the game on Sunday than the zipline.”

Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown General Manager Stu Cordelle says the experience offered at the Superbowl Village is pretty similar to that offered in Queenstown’s beautiful back yard.

“We zip tree to tree, rather than building to building and the only waiting anyone will do will be hanging about in our gorgeous tree huts, taking in the stunning lake and mountain views between ziplines. It’s a huge amount of fun – we’ll be offering an invite to Mr Carter to have another go - our natural environment here makes it all a bit more relaxed I think.”

And the attention is striking a chord with some of the company’s admirers. The following came from a post to Ziptrek Ecotour’s website:

‘I just wanted to write and say how cool I think the company is. I haven't had a chance to try Ziptrek yet, but I did love the set up when I saw it in Queenstown. I saw a little while ago there was a temporary set up in San Francisco and now you have set up something in Superbowl village. I have been working with high ropes and zip lines with kids for a few years and was very impressed with the company and their priority towards eco matters and sustainability. It's a bit of an inspiration and for what it's worth I just wanted to pop in and say well done, keep up the good work.’ – Declan Mc Namee from Ireland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hEM8bGhsuA