SETTLING DOWN FOR A LONG WINTER’S NAP
There are many considerations—and many benefits—to properly closing your park after the season ends.
BY DON STOCK President, ZipStream Aerial Adventure Parks
It’s 7:15 p.m., and the last guest of the season—brow damp with sweat, Cheshire Cat grin across her face— exits the final zip. The long aerial adventure season is finally over, and the thought of checking out and enjoying the off-season feels awfully good after the hectic pace and long days of the previous few months. The temptation is strong to simply lock the doors and head for the hills. However, before settling in for that long winter’s nap, it’s wise to invest the extra time needed to close operations in a way that sets the stage for a successful (read: less stressful and less expensive) opening in spring. Thinking ahead now can save a lot of money and heartache later. I can say this with such confidence because—just like licking a frozen flag - pole—we’ve learned the hard way. After seven years of operating a commercial aerial adventure park, we’ve learned a great deal about how to avoid leaving our taste buds on the frozen steel. As with most things, having a plan is a great help. We’ve found that the items needing attention when closing up for the season fall into seven distinct areas, which are relatively universal for most operations.
Gear can get grimy and worn after a long season of use, so closely inspect and wash each peice before storing it for winter. Credit: Misty Mountain
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