Bear hugging logs certainly was not my idea of graceful. Squeezing my arms and thighs together around two logs, I gingerly stepped onto the next foothold. “Deep breath,” I said to myself. Next log, next step, next log, next step and I pulled my way up onto the platform. “Who needs the gym,” I choked nervously to our fearless leader. Halfway through our last ropes course trail at Ramblewild, my forearms were screaming. My body was full of lactic acid, most likely due to gripping ropes and lines in fear of plummeting (all of 4 inches, due to the harness) through some of the more challenging segments. No lack of excitement there.
Ramblewild, located in the beautiful Berkshires (MA), is a thoughtfully designed tree-to-tree aerial adventure park that not only preserves, but worships it’s natural environment. From producing their own maple syrup to using linseed oil instead of harsh chemicals to preserve their wood constructed features, the operations truly take “being green” seriously. In the heart of 1400 acres of hemlock and pine are eight trails of tree-to-tree adventuring and—get this—not a single tree is pierced in any way. Not a nail, bolt or screw blemishes the pristine woods. In fact, the whole park could theoretically be taken down with little to no trace of what may have been there. Incredible.
FUN FACT: The hemlock trees create a shield from the elements, including wind and sun, which keeps the adventure park about ten degrees cooler in the summer season.
WHY SKIERS SHOULD CARE: This place is open year round. With four out of their eight trails operational in the winter, you can frolic as much as you want, any time. It’s a great way to break from sliding through the trees and much more funner than the gym, I promise. Trail signs are even similar to the ones on ski resorts. Using a color code that should ring a bell, the ropes courses are designated yellow for easiest, green for easy, blue for intermediate, black for expert and double black for insanity. (Also, during my recent adventure, I heard rumours of backcountry skiing coming soon, perhaps even next season. Oh, happy days.)
HIGHLIGHT: The zip line across a ravine is breathtaking in more ways than one.
I’ve been in ropes courses before and let me tell you, this one is different. No need for a guide to hook you up or wait for the dozens of people ahead of you to finally make up their minds. You just go. This is thanks mostly to the harness set-up that comes with built in safety features so simple even a child could manoeuvre it. The electronic redundancy system relatively unique to Ramblewild ensures that the adventurer is always attached by at least one restraint. Leaders are then free to help give you tips on how to tackle certain features.
PRO TIP: When zip-lining, pedalling an imaginary bike with your legs can help to keep you going straight ahead instead of spinning. If that’s what floats your boat, of course.
Walking away from Ramblewild felt like more than just an experience. It was accomplishment, exhilaration and victory all rolled into one. Huge shout out to our leader Luke: his passion and kind guidance illuminated a journey that would not have been half as much fun without him.
WHAT: Winter season, tree-to-tree aerial course entrance with a snowshoe tour in and out. All equipment provided.
COST: 32 doll hairs
WHERE: Ramblewild in Lanesborough, MA
HOW: Make a reservation. A minimum of ten participants are required for mid-week visits during the winter season
Have any questions about visiting Ramblewild? Ask away in the comments below.
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Winter is coming,
K
In the spirit of full transparency, please note that my entrance to the adventure park was provided by the lovely folks at Ramblewild. Nonetheless, this post is the true and honest product of my personal experiences and adventures.