ROPES CHALLENGE COURSE ELEMENT COSTS

The following price list is designed to convey a ballpark estimate of costs involved in constructing and maintaining a ropes challenge course. Prices do not reflect the cost of initial site visits, utility poles, guy wires and anchors, specialty equipment for custom jobs, or cost of site preparation (clearing, woodchips, landscaping, or building alterations). Further, the estimates provided herein do not represent a bid of any sort from AdventureSmith, Inc. or one of it's partner organizations.

Group Initiative and Low Ropes Course Element Costs

Portable group initiative elements generally run between $75 and $750 each; Constructed group initiative and low rope course elements can run between $250 and $2,500 each. A modest course of 10 to 12 constructed elements built off of trees can generally be installed for $6,500 to $12,500 depending on the activities installed. Starter courses utilizing portable elements and low-prop activities can often be purchased for less than $4,000. The cost of training, poles, site clearing and preparation, and travel expenses for the installation and training teams should be calculated separately. Such items might include but are not limited to installing landing surfaces, ground leveling, clearing, access controls, "theme"ing or facility development. It is not uncommon with some sites that these costs will be far greater than the cost of the elements themselves.

High Ropes Courses Costs

There are several different options in regards to technical risk management and operating costs. Options include but are not limited to:

  • Type of belay system
  • Number of trained staff that will be used in managing the system
  • Choice of equipment and hardware
  • Program philosophy and outcomes

The two most common belay systems are 1) static and 2) dynamic.

Static-belay high ropes course systems attach participants to overhead safety cables or steel track systems via sling lines (adjustable ropes with fasteners at the end). Obstacles on static belay high ropes courses are often designed as traversing activities. With traditional static belay systems participants are generally required to take a more active role in managing their own safety. With new continuous belay static systems (whether cable or track based) the system requires little to no management. In both systems, once a participant is up on the course, they generally remain on the course, completing several obstacles in a row before coming down by way of ladder or a dynamic element (zip line, big swing, or rappel). Participants who fall are frequently able to self-rescue and continue on the course. The number of staff required to operate a static high ropes course can vary greatly by design, skill level of the staff, timing constraints of the program, and type of course exit. In general, two trained staff members are recommended for a group of up to 16 participants, however, additional staff may be required.

A type of static-belay course, often referred to as an Aerial Trekking course or Parcour Course in Europe, have recently received much attention in the United States. Designed as a self-guided tour, an Aerial Trekking course combines static ropes course elements with zip lines, climbing walls, and swings to create a linear or multi-path adventure. After an intensive ground school, clients are supervised from the ground or from stations in the trees by trained guides. Educational experiences are often substituted for pure adventure and adrenaline. Guide ratios very greatly from one program to another. Course size can range from 40 elements to more than 100. While some course are built on poles, most are designed in mature stands of trees.

Dynamic-belay high ropes courses attach a participant to a climbing rope that runs to a high anchor above the element and back to the ground. As the participant climbs, a person or persons are required to belay (to manage the slack and secure the rope in the event a fall) the climber. Dynamic belay courses are frequently installed higher off the ground. Elements are either vertical in nature or participants are required to climb a ladder, climbing wall, or staples to access the event. When a participant falls they are lowered to the ground by the belay. One trained staff member is recommended for each active participant unless time permits to effectively train participants to a level of belay mastery or in cases where mechanic or team belay systems can be designed to allow multiple belays to be supervised by a single staff member.

Traditional high ropes course elements constructed off of trees or utility poles generally run between $1,000 and $2,000 each before the cost of utility poles, guy wires, anchors, etc. A thirty-foot, four element dynamic-belay high ropes course built in trees and requiring little clearing might cost $10,000 to $16,000. A twenty-foot, 12-15 element static course based on poles would cost roughly $30,000 to $50,000. An extensive aerial trekking course can cost between $200,000 and $350,000. Custom courses, including either steel frames, continuous belay systems, or built into an existing structure can be considerably more expensive depending on the engineering. The cost of site preparation, training and travel expenses, and participant and facilitator safety equipment should be figured separately. Those interested in courses may also choose to theme out their course to better fit into their environment. Such costs are not included in the prices listed above.

Outdoor Climbing Walls and Climbing Towers

There are many configurations for outdoor climbing walls and climbing towers, some of which may also incorporate dynamic-belay high elements. Climbing towers are generally designed with three to five poles, thirty to sixty feet in height. The objective of most towers is to challenge the individual’s perceived limits and fear of heights. Climbing “structures” generally offer shorter routes, maximizing the number of opportunities for participants to climb, and focus on technical skill development. Both structures can be built with fixed or modular holds and specialty features–bulges, overhangs, slabs–can be added to vary the level of complexity. Interior staircases and roof structures are also a possibility. Climbing surfaces can be built with planks, textured wood panels, or imitation rock paneling.

Due to the number of options available, it is difficult to present an accurate idea of costs. After pole installation, a forty-foot, three pole tower is likely to cost between $18,000 and $36,000 depending on the number of climbing walls, vertical belay ropes course elements, type of belay, and wall features. For each additional pole, add $5,000 to $8,000 more. Roofs, observation decks, steel stair cases, and other features like leaning and twisting designs can add considerable costs to the installation and design.

Indoor Climbing Walls

There are a variety of surfaces that indoor walls can be constructed from: 1) climbing holds attached to cinder block walls, 2) climbing holds attached to textured wood panels, 3) Modular panel systems, and 4) Imitation Rock.

Cinder Block Walls: Attaching climbing holds to a cinder block wall is the most cost effective method of building a climbing wall. Some features–bulges, flares, overhangs–can be included depending on the structure of the wall. Climbing holds are permanently anchored; it is recommended that modular systems not be used. The cost of a climbing wall with 4 to 6 climbing routes would generally be $5000 to $8000 before including safety equipment. Costs can range from $10-$20/sq. foot.

Textured Wood Paneling: Climbing walls built with textured wood paneling offer much greater flexibility. Additional features like overhangs, bulges, slabs, cracks, flares, and flakes can be added to offer additional challenges and variety. Holds are most often modular and can be moved to adjust routes and offer new challenges to programs that have returning customers or varying populations. The general cost of an indoor 4 to 6 route climbing wall can range from $18,000 to $35,000 before safety equipment is included. Costs generally range from $35-$50/sq. foot depending on the complexity of the structure, height, and type of texturing used.

Modular Panels: Modular panel walls can be constructed off steel or occasionaly wooden frames. Additional features like overhangs, bulges, cracks, flares, flakes, and pockets can be easily added. Holds are most often modular, secured with bolts. The cost of modular panels can vary greatly depending on the structure required to hold them, height of the structure, and type of panel purchased. Costs generally range from $55-$90/sq. foot installed.

Imitation Rock: Using the same technology that is used in landscaping and amusement park structures, imitation rock surfaces simulate real rock. Anchors can be added so that additional modular holds can be placed or removed if desired, or the wall can be used "as is." A variety of features can be added and structures can be themed to add to the ambience of settings. Costs generally range from $65-$90/sq. foot. Complicated features and structures are not included in this price.

Zip Lines

Zip lines can serve as exit points from high ropes courses and climbing towers, or they can be built as stand-alone activities.  A high intensity, high anxiety, thrilling event, the zip line invites participants to grapple with the difficulty of taking first steps and accepting new challenges. Zip lines can be built on trees, utility poles, buildings, steel structures, or natural features in the area.

The recent popularity of zip lines have spurred numerous innovations and advancements in technology. The most common types of zip lines are 1) Gravity Brake Zip Lines, 2) Mechanical Braking Zip Lines, 3) Dual or Multi-line Zip Lines, 4) Ground Landings, and 5) Auto-lowering Zip Lines, and 6) Canopy Tours and Zip Line Tours.

Gravity-Brake Zip Lines: Zip lines that are designed to make use of a gravity brake generally launch from a tree, or utility pole and run seveal hundred feet to another pole or tree. They are characterized by a ride that slows the participant by adding significant drape into the line so that the participant zips to near the end of the cable and then slowly settles to the trough, or lowest point. Descent from the cable is generally by freestanding ladder or a moveable tower. Most commonly installed as an exit to a ropes challenge course or climbing tower, gravity brake zip lines are among the least expensive type of line to installed. They generally require modest anchors and can be installed on level terrain. Costs for installing a gravity-brake zip line may be as little as $3,000 or as much as $20,000 depending on terrain, distance of the cable, and anchors.

Mechanical Braking Zip Lines: These lines are most often designed for the thrill of the zip. A variety of mechanical systems can be installed from simple friction system operated by an attendendant to more complication spring compression systems or counter-weight system that operated independent or a trained guide. Such systems are common on longer zip lines where wind drag, mass, and weather can dramatically impact the speed at which riders approach the landing platform. In some cases, mechanical brakes are added to gravity-brake systems and the rider is removed by ladder at the trough of the cable, but in most cases, the rider is brought to a stop at a landing platform near the cable termination or on a tree-based platform. In such cases, a small step or stool may be used to help the guide detach the rider from the cable. While some braking systems, including high-speed descents that require a mating trolley and brake or self-retarding trolleys can be very expensive (even into the millions), less expensive braking system including bungee brakes or very simple spring compression systems can be installed for a hundred to one-thousand dollars.

Dual and Multi-line Zip Lines: More commonly referred to as zip rides, dual or multi-line zip lines offer the opportunity for riders to race one another to the landing. Commonly designed for amusement or pure recreation, such designs often substitute adrenaline for personal development. In most cases, riders are each provided their own cable with a clear corridor, however, in some cases, riders may descend the cable "tandem" on the same line, or be lanyarded to one another on separate cables. The costs involved with dual and multi-line zip lines are primarily in the cost of the take-off and landing structures and anchors. For commercial tours, however, the increased throughput can often pay-off. Costs will vary from a few thousand dollars to the amusement rides costing in the millions.

Ground Landings: If the terrain is available, ground-to-ground or tower-to-ground zip lines can provide a zip line experience with fast turnover and high thrills. Topography is critical and back-up braking systems are often required for longer zip lines.

Auto-lowering Zip Lines: A variety of new systems have been designed to lower a rider on a gravity brake style or mechanical brake style zip line to the ground. System vary greatly in their complexity and cost. Some systems are designed to involve other members of the group, while other operate mechanically at the push of a button. Such systems are popular in that they can reduce cycle time, increase throughput, and remove the risks involved with placing a ladder inside the zip ride corridor.

Canopy Tours and Zip Line Tours: Emerging from their roots as a tool to scientifically study the rain forests of South and Central America, canopy tours have become one of the most popular eco-tourist attractions today.  From educational outings that explore previously inaccessible parts of the forest canopy to pure amusement, canopy tours and zip line tours are springing up around the globe. Consisting of a series of zip lines from tree-to-tree, tree-to-ground, or tower-to-tower, the rides often integrate adventure with exploration of otherwise inaccessible terrain. Costs for canopy tours vary wildly depending on location, topography, and size of the course.

 

For more information on our challenge course consulting and development services, please call
(248) 481-2568 or visit us on the web at our main site, http://www.adventuresmithinc.com.