Outdoors

Inside Vail Mountain's Epic Discovery Experience

We take a visit to Vail's biggest investment in summer activities since scenic chairlift rides.

By Tom Winter September 6, 2016

Epic Discovery

Let's face it, there's a lot happening up on Vail Mountain with this Epic Discovery thing. Stuff like ropes courses and zip lines and the Forest Flyer ride, which is like a roller coaster but better. One problem? If you are afraid of heights you're probably not going to like it, particularly since you ride the Lionshead Gondola to get up there.

Epic Discovery

The deal of the day is the Ultimate Adventure Pass. Priced at $89 for adults, it gives you access to everything that you'll want to try up there, including the Forest Flyer, the zip lines and, of course, all the rope courses. Oh, and don't forget the bungee trampoline!

Epic Discovery

Zip lines are amazing. If you've ever been curious as to what it feels like to be a bird flying above the treetops, the zip lines in Game Creek Bowl will answer that question.

Epic Discovery

Smile! While we're a bit suspicious of Vail Resort's tendency to call everything associated with their brand "Epic" there's no doubt that the Forest Flyer is, well, epic. It's a fast and fun and safe and highly addictive.

This weekend Epic Discovery, the Vail Mountain summertime theme park formerly known as Adventure Ridge, transitions to fall hours (open Fri.-Sun from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sep. 9-Oct. 20). In other words, winter’s coming, and the clock’s ticking if you have yet to experience the inaugural run of Vail Resorts’ new Forest Flyer mountain coaster and Game Creek Zipline Tour.

Yeah, we know, Nature Boy/Girl. You’re all about “keeping it real” by shredding single track and summiting 14ers and this “experience” seems as manufactured as a day at Disney World (particularly when an all-inclusive day pass to Epic Discovery costs $84 more than a ticket to the Magic Kingdom). We thought the same thing. Until we actually booked a Game Creek Zipline Tour package, and had a blast. Still not convinced? We’ll let our photos do the talking. . .