Zipline project proposed for West Glacier
A proposal to build a zipline system and ropes course in West Glacier is scheduled to go before the Flathead County Planning Board on April 11.
The zipline course at Whitefish Mountain Resort has proven to be a popular summer-tourist attraction and has been upgraded with additional ziplines and the new Badrock Chairlift since it opened several years ago. A ropes course has been in place at Whitefish High School for many years.
Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co. teamed up with Green Valley Ranch LLC for the proposed project. Initial plans would call for construction of five single ziplines, three double ziplines and a ropes course with two to three suspension bridges and 16 decks averaging 400 square feet each on 475 acres land owned by Green Valley Ranch. The project could be expanded to 12 double ziplines in the future, according to plans submitted to the Flathead County Planning Office.
Formerly known as Desert Mountain Lodge, Green Valley Ranch is an historic dude ranch that opened its doors in 1947. It features a 12,000-square-foot lodge, two cabins, two barns and a network of trails for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. As proposed, the ziplines, ropes course and related facilities would be separated from the lodge.
Because the ziplines and ropes course would increase recreational use on the land by more than 25 percent, Flathead County zoning administrator BJ Grieve on Dec. 6 determined that a major land use permit was required. The northern five parcels where the project would take place are zoned under the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System (CALURS). The southern three parcels are unzoned.
As proposed, guests for the ziplines and ropes course would gather at the Montana Raft Co., about four miles east on U.S. 2, and be bused to the Green Valley Ranch site. A second phase calls for construction of a 24-by-60-foot sheltered pavilion near the start of the course. A third phase calls for construction of a 1,000-square-foot office, a 600-square-foot equipment shed and a 400-square-foot restroom at the start of the course.
The business partners say the project could add 20 to 24 seasonal jobs. The ziplines and ropes course would operate from May through October and are expected to attract six to 18 tours per day, with up to 12 people on each 2-3 hour long tour. As submitted to the planning office, that translates into 30 vehicle-trips per day from the staging area at Montana Raft Co. The businesses might also consider night tours with full moons and even winter tours.
The proposal went before the Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee on Feb. 28 where it was unanimously approved for recommendation to the county planning board by committee members Nicolas Lee and John Glader. A member of the public brought up the 35-foot height limit in the CALURS zoning area, and a 13th condition was added that excluded decking from the restriction but included any structures attached to the ground.
The planning board will listen to the proposal at the Earl Bennett Building, in Kalispell, on Wednesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. Comments must be submitted before 5 p.m. For more information on the proposal, call the county planning office at 751-8200. For more information on the two businesses, visit online at www.greenvalleyranchmontana.com and www.glacierguides.com.