You may know Mountain Creek as a stellar winter ski spot, but nestled across roughly 10 acres of woodland behind its golf course lies a constellation of rope courses. TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park features 10 courses for ages 4 and up, plus a Kids Park designed for ages 4-6 with 20 unique climbing elements.
After a quick demo, you’ll pull on a harness, helmet and gloves before picking a course to start clipping your carabiners. For a newbie like me (who’s also not too keen on heights), there’s plenty of courses that aren’t too difficult or high off the ground. Platform heights range from around 2 ½-3 feet above ground (purple courses) to 60 feet in the air (high blue and black courses). Check out the video above for a look at the elements on my yellow course, the golden nugget.
Between each set of platforms is a set of ropes challenges, aka one element, which can only be completed by one climber at a time (so definitely watch the person before you for clues on how to complete!). The courses range in difficulty, from walking on a single rope and ducking between metal hoops to walking across wooden planks reminiscent of a horizontal ladder.
Even better? There’s zip lines spread throughout the courses. Once I finished completing my own elements on the golden nugget course (after being passed by a lightning-fast camper at least a decade younger than me), I ziplined down to the final platform.
If you’re looking to elevate your climbing experience, we recommend Night Climbs for an electric climb. TreEscape admission is $25 for ages 4-6 and $40 for everyone else.
You can’t leave Mountain Creek without a Zip Tour, and this is coming from someone with a fear of heights. At first I was skeptical, but you won’t be able to stop smiling—fear far from mind—as you glide down each of the four zip lines.
Ranging from 200 to 1,500 feet in length, you’ll start with a smaller zip in front of Mountain Creek’s park. You’ll get a feel for how zipping works (plus sail over a pond) and how to stop before heading up the ski lift for some major views.
The next three zips are located over a sparkling lake with beautiful views—if you like riding Soarin’ at Disney World, you’ll love the real deal. On your last flight over the lake, you might even be able to skim the water.
Zip tours are $49.99 per person and zippers must be between 60-270 lbs. and at least 48 inches tall to ride.
Mountain Creek also boasts 70 acres of water park, more than 50 trails for mountain biking and 27 holes at their Great Gorge golf course. And in the winter, the resort also offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
Mountain Creek
200 Rte. 94, Vernon Twp.
973-827-2000
11 am-6 pm Mon.-Fri., 10 am-7 pm Sat.-Sun.
