Technical Safety BC (TSBC) is investigating after a zipline incident in Whistler allegedly resulted in “serious injury” earlier this month.
The independent agency tasked with overseeing the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment across the province, including amusement park rides and ski lifts, confirmed it was notified about an incident on Thursday, Aug. 3.
“Our safety officer and incident investigation team have been to the site and are conducting an investigation,” TSBC confirmed in a statement.
“Following the incident, we worked with the operator to close the zipline, and it has not been available for public use since. We are working with the operator to ensure they can safely reopen the zipline.”
TSBC expects to release more details about the incident once its investigation is complete.
WorkSafeBC confirmed it was aware of an Aug. 3 zipline incident in Whistler, but said it is not conducting its own investigation since the incident involved a “non-worker.”
While TSBC did not name the operator involved, a spokesperson for BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) confirmed dispatchers received a call at 5:41 p.m. Aug. 3 for a medical incident on Showh Lakes Forest Service Road. BCEHS responded with one ambulance. Paramedics cared for a patient at the scene and transported the individual to hospital, according to BCEHS.
The Sixteen Mile Creek Forest Service Road (FSR), as it's known officially, is located north of Green Lake. Leading to Showh Lakes and the Ancient Cedars trail, the FSR passes through The Adventure Group’s (TAG) tenure on Cougar Mountain.
TAG is owned and operated by hospitality group Gibbons Whistler. The outdoor activity provider offers products including a $201 “General Park Day Pass," which allows access to an aerial obstacle course, RZR tours, Superfly Ziplines, and the Vallea Lumina nighttime multimedia show, and includes transportation to and from TAG’s Cougar Mountain basecamp.
Reached by phone, a representative for Gibbons Whistler declined to comment on the investigation.
According to TAG’s website, the Superfly Zipline course is made up of four tandem ziplines zig-zagging between Rainbow and Cougar Mountains on the west side of the Whistler Valley, connected by a network of trails, platforms and boardwalks.
During the two-hour excursion, Superfly guests can ride side-by-side on the eight individual cables, at times suspended 300 metres above the ground, and reach speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. The longest of the four ziplines is 1.2 km, according to the tour operator.
Guests are required to sign a waiver available on TAG’s website before embarking on a Superfly Zipline excursion, acknowledging participating in the activity carries “risks, dangers and hazards including but not limited to: travel on rough, uneven, challenging or slippery terrain; changing weather conditions, equipment failure; failure to properly adjust or fasten equipment; improper use of equipment; slips and falls; over-exertion; fear of heights; impact or collision with trees, man-made or natural objects, other participants or guides; negligence of other participants or guides; and negligence on the part of releasees.”
