Many reviewers talk about the great impact their guide made on their zipline adventure. Ever wonder how we get such fantastic guides at Mineral Mountain Ziplines?
There are a few key ingredients that make ziplining in BC so much fun. It starts with an amazing backdrop and panoramic views of our province’s natural beauty. Next, the course itself needs to deliver the ‘WOW’ factor, using a combination of speed, height and distance to leave a lasting impression. The final piece is the one that gets overlooked most often: the guides.
In addition to making your zipline adventure a safe experience, our guides are there to:
- Engage you
- Entertain you
- Encourage you
Without top-notch guides, our operation wouldn’t exist. So what does it take to become a guide? Here are a few of the things we look for…
Character is Key
In the iconic words of Jules (aka Samuel L. Jackson) on the 1994 cult movie classic Pulp Fiction: “Personality goes a long way.” While common sense and competence are must-have prerequisites, we strive to find people who are fun and can carry on a conversation.
There are certainly some technical aspects to guiding, but those can be taught. We’re not searching for Captain Adventurous—the guy who’s climbed Everest four times, but someone who lots to have fun and talk.
That brings us to our next point…
Willingness to Learn
Before our guides ever see a guest, they’ll spend several weeks in our in-house training program near Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. It covers the gamut of operating policies and procedures, including:
- Zipline operation (braking, harnessing etc.)
- Occupational First-Aid Level 1
- Rope rescue procedures
- Shuttle etiquette
- Workplace harassment policy
We also take our guides-in-training through a zipline adventure as if they were clients. This shows them what’s expected and sets the standard for customer service.
Ziplining Really Is for Everyone
We want our guides to be empathetic to our guests’ needs, and to relate to people from all walks of life. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, ziplining in BC isn’t aimed at a single demographic—it’s for everyone!
Occasionally, we’ll get a guest who has a fear of heights. This is a good challenge for our guides, as it takes positivity and support to overcome. One of our guides was particularly adept at this because, before she joined our team, she had the same fear!
To help guides enhance their public speaking ability, we hold a competition during the training program to see who delivers the best interpretive talk. This is a great way to get them engaged and help them work on their delivery.
Props to Your Guide
If you go on a tour and you enjoy your adventure, Tell Everyone About Your Ziplining Experience. Be sure to mention your guides. They’ll appreciate the name drop.
Mineral Mountain Ziplines is the perfect day trip if you’re staying in Radium Hot Springs or Invermere. We’re just 20 minutes down the road, next to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.