Zip lining across the Ottawa River on Interzip Rogers

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Was I stoked to be one of the first riders to shoot across the Ottawa River on the brand-new Interzip Rogers zip line last week? Hell, yeah!

Disclosure: I tried the zip line for free as a guest of Interzip Rogers, which neither reviewed nor approved this post.

Now, let me be clear: I’m no daredevil. The idea of skydiving terrifies me, the thought of being trapped underwater with nothing but a scuba tank makes me hyperventilate, and you will never catch me on anything resembling a bungee jump. However, for whatever reason, zip lining has never scared me much.

I think it’s because I’m not afraid of heights, per se; I’m afraid of falling. If I’m 100% confident I won’t fall, I’m good with just about any height. I’ve done the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, for instance, and I loved the CN Tower EdgeWalk.

I’ve also been on several other zip lines, including those at Arbraska Laflèche near Val-des-Monts and Skywood Eco Adventure near Brockville, so I know that riders are trussed up pretty securely and that the cables are really thick.

So the only thing that gave me pause, when I first eyed the twin zip lines stretching 366 metres (1,200 feet) across the Ottawa River, was all that water rushing by below.

Far below. Like, 37 metres (120 feet) below the tower where I’d begin the trip.

But then I watched the zip line’s first two guests—Charles-Antoine Turpin and Valérie Ducharme, who won their spots in an online charity auction—hum across the line, and I couldn’t wait to try it.

So, where do you start, how does it work, how long does the ride take, where does it end and how much does it cost? Read on, my friends. All shall be revealed.

The Interzip Rogers starting point: Zibi in Gatineau

The zip line ride starts at the Zibi site in Gatineau, which is currently a mix of shiny new condo and commercial buildings and busy construction sites. (For more details on finding the Interzip Rogers office, see the “If you go” section at the end of this post.)

After lots of opening-day speeches from officials from Zibi, Rogers, tourism boards and others, on a cool, windy terrace overlooking the Ottawa River, a bunch of us media types trooped off to the nearby Interzip Rogers office. There, we checked anything that might fall off during the ride (eyeglasses, purses, phones) and received stylish orange hard hats and sturdy webbed harnesses studded with serious-looking straps and carabiners.

Thus outfitted, I set off with a group of four other journalists for the five-minute walk across the Chaudière Bridge to Chaudière Island on the Ontario side. Like the Zibi site in Gatineau, the Ontario starting point is surrounded by condos and other buildings in various stages of completion. However, look past the constructin debris and you’ll enjoy some spectacular views, with roaring Chaudière Falls to the west, and the downtown Ottawa and Gatineau skylines to the east.

At the base of the red wooden Interzip Rogers tower, a cheerful young staffer named Isabelle gave our small group a brief but clear instructional briefing. She coached us as we stepped into the harnesses, and she and her colleague adjusted the various straps and checked that our helmets were secure. Then, it was time to climb the 120 steps (no, there’s no elevator) up the tower.

Observing social-distancing rules, we spread ourselves out along the stairs and landings below the take-off platform (only two riders, along with Interzip Rogers staff, are allowed on the platform at a time). Every few minutes, I heard a loud click, just before another pair of riders sailed over my head and hurtled across the river.

And we’re off!

Finally, it was my turn. You can arrange it so that you fly with a friend on the other zip line, but since I’d come solo, that wasn’t an issue. I and a young woman whose name I didn’t even catch stood quietly as staff did one last check of our harnesses and clipped each of us onto a giant pulley on our respective cables.

It’s actually really easy to ride on a deeply sloped zip line like this one. All you need to do is sit down in the harness as if you’re in a suspended lawn chair, tuck in your feet as you take off and come in for a landing, and hold onto the trapeze-like bar above your head. If you want to go faster, you can stick your legs straight out. That’s it.

Prepped, strapped in and ready to ride, I faced the landing platform on the Gatineau side. I heard the now-familiar click. I started to move. Suddenly, there was air beneath my feet. Moments later, the vast sweep of the river was below my dangling running shoes.

One thought occurred to me at that moment, as I smothered a startled yelp: Humans do strange things.

But then, the view drove all other thoughts from my brain. Sure, I’ve seen Parliament Hill and the Gatineau Hills from all sorts of vantage points—but never while flying through the air like a bird. It was a total rush.

And I do mean rush. In all, the ride—at a speed of about 40 km/h—takes about 40 seconds. Before I knew it, staff on the Gatineau landing platform were urging me to tuck in my feet.

Coming in for a landing

A brake that could likely have stopped a speeding locomotive lurched me to a halt. After staffers undid all the straps and clips, I was back on solid ground again. Harness slung over my shoulders, I walked up a new-looking gravel path back toward the Interzip Rogers office.

So, the bottom line: Was the experience of riding the zip line worth the wait? Hell, yeah!

Was I scared? Hell…no. Well, maybe just enough to make it worth it.

If you go

Who: There’s no minimum or maximum age, but there is a minimum and maximum weight (70 pounds and 275 pounds, respectively). Also, people with certain medical conditions are not allowed to ride. Everyone has to sign a waiver (parents sign it for kids under 18).

Where: The Interzip Rogers check-in desk is on the ground floor of a condo building at 40 rue Jos-Montferrand in Gatineau. You’ll find it immediately off the Chaudière Bridge, which links downtown Ottawa and Gatineau. Drive slowly across the bridge when you’re looking for the road entrance; due to various construction barriers, it’s easy to miss. It’s a right-hand turn if you’re coming from Ottawa, and a left-hand turn if you’re coming from Gatineau.

There’s a small parking lot across from the zip line office, but parking options in the area are quite limited. If you can walk, bike or take public transit to the site—or get someone to drop you off—that might be easiest.

When: The ride is usually open weekdays from noon to 5pm and on weekends from 9am to 6pm, rain or shine. This year, it is scheduled to run until October 1.

How much: Tickets are $39.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids 14 and under. You can also pre-order a video of your ride (just like the one I posted above) for $19.99.

What can I eat and drink? If you feel thirsty after your adventure, you’re in luck. Next to the Interzip Rogers office is the Zibi Terrasse Panorama, where you can enjoy a frosty Beau’s beer indoors or on a big patio, both with great river views. Throughout the summer, food trucks are also expected to set up shop nearby during busy periods.

For more info: The Interzip Rogers website has an extensive FAQ section. It even tells you whether you need a passport to travel the world’s first interprovincial zip line. (Spoiler alert: You don’t.)

Accommodations near Interzip Rogers

Want to build a weekend around your zip line adventure? Use the map below to find a hotel or other accommodations near Interzip Rogers. (Disclosure: If you book a place to stay using this map, I’ll receive a small commission. And you will receive a roof over your head for the night and my thanks!)

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Ottawa, Gatineau, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or pick up my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide.

Photo at the top of the post courtesy of Interzip Rogers.