Tree-top adventure courses

Tree-top adventure courses consist of an aerial circuit of challenges and games, often several metres above the ground. The exercises call upon an individual's balance, strength, flexibility and, in certain cases, courage. Some of the most common challenges are zip wires, monkey bridges and tunnel traverses.

On average, an adventure course will take 2 to 3 hours to complete. The safety equipment is similar to that used in rock climbing: safety lanyards, pulleys, karabiners, etc. Newcomers generally have the opportunity to practice certain movements before setting off on the course.

Trees - the heart of an adventure course

Trees are the heart of all adventure courses.

There is no question of setting up an adventure course without first considering its environmental impact. Before being opened to the public, every course is inspected to ensure it complies with the strict construction and operating standards set by the French standards organisation AFNOR.

Environmental aspects of adventure courses are examined by forestry experts.

The high altitude forests of the Alps are mostly populated by evergreen trees (spruce, fir and pine) and other conifers, such as larch trees. Most of the adventure courses in Savoie and Haute-Savoie are built in this type of forest.

At lower altitudes, both "departments" can boast beautiful deciduous forests of beech, birch, oak, maple, chestnut, ash and elm, whose changing colours mark the passing seasons.

Each tree is an ecosystem in its own right, with a dense population of birds, mammals and insects. Adventure courses are often ideal places to see owls, woodpeckers, jays, crossbills, squirrels, field mice, dormice, bats, butterflies, caterpillars and winged beetles, but every effort should be made not to disturb the wildlife.

The reasons why adventure parks are so successful

- Motivation of visitors: thrill seeking (33%), excitement of having space beneath one's feet (71%), do a fun activity (27%).

- Main advantage: for 94% of people questioned, the main attraction is the possibility of doing an activity with family or friends.

- Appreciation: an adventure course is sporty (92.5%), fun (93.7%) and a way of coming into contact with nature (86%).

- Satisfaction: visitors usually leave highly satisfied (98% satisfaction), 89% would like to repeat the experience.

- Safety: 87% said they felt safe or very safe, even though it was the first time 2/3 of the respondents had done an adventure course.

AFIT-SEATM survey of outdoor activities in the French Alps, conducted by Altimax-Versant Sud in 2004.

Update March 2008