Treetop Trekking Barrie at Horseshoe Valley — Attraction in Oro-Medonte

I have been wanting to something like this for awhile, so when WagJag offered a discounted package I jumped on it.

When you first arrive, after parking your car, you still have to walk about 15 minutes to actually get to the location which explains the 30 minute requested early arrival time. This also allows you time to sign the waiver, and get all harnessed up before they start the orientation tour.

The whole thing after they orientation seemed somewhat confusing and unorganized. One course they had me sign a book AFTER I had finished the course (BLUE), and the other course (BLACK) they had had me sign before I started. Never knew when I was supposed to be signing and when it was not required.

Staff were very courteous and understanding that the 400 series highway was EXTREMELY busy on the day we went. The GPS had estimated an arrival time originally of 1:30 which was the 1/2 hour requested for our start time of 2:00. However, we didn't arrive and get registered until almost 2:45. The did allow us to go until 5:30, which was extremely generous of them.

I know this is more a management thing, but I felt that there was a lack of guides, several courses have only 1 at the beginning, and another half way through It is very easy to get stuck and either not be able to ask for help, or not connect your carabiners and not be seen. This was more evident on the PURPLE and BLACK courses, where you cannot see the participants from a distance. For example on PURPLE it starts with 4 zip lines and after the first you do three more before you see another guide. Apparently that guide was supposed to tell me something like what course was next, or if I could do black because when I got off and asked the next person he asked if the guy at purple had made me sign anything? When I asked what guide, as there wasn't one at the end of the course he asked about the one in the middle and I said he didn't say a word to me. On the other courses, they are fairly close so you can see the participants but you wouldn't know if they had unhooked or not.

They give you a bracelet which marks down the time you are finished at, and also appear to have spots to be check marked either before or after you finish each course. I never had anybody check these, so guess either they were not doing their job, or they expect you to do it yourself.

They do have water and Gatorade available at the little shack where you check in, but they are resort prices. $2 for a bottle of water and $3 for a Gatorade. It is a physical work out, so bring liquids and snacks if you can. Although you are in the shade, when it is warm you will work up quite a sweat. Unless the courses are clear, and you are very athletic you will have a hard time finishing all the courses, but if you do well they will let you skip courses. I skipped the GREEN and RED courses and when I was done BLUE went straight to PURPLE and BLACK. I am not sure that I would pay full price for something this, but for the discounted price it...

I cannot comment on the actual activity as I was unable to book it with my questions answered. Instead, I am reviewing the customer service at the Barrie location Treetop Trekking. My sons have been excited to try the Discovery Course but I could not book until I could ask the representatives if my younger son, who is a sliver shy of their age and height requirements, could participate. The website has two numbers to call for questions. I tried calling both numbers many times per day for 3 days in a row and never reached anyone. Lousy service! So I decided to bring my boys and baby yesterday to ask in person but there was a wedding going on at the resort and I could not find a parking spot. I decided to try to book it online today just for my older son but ran into website issues, so called again many times and could not reach anyone. I decided to drive there again today to discover that the checkin for the activity was too far for me to walk to in the limited time I had, so I spoke to a rep at Horseshoe Valley by the mini golf area and he told me to go to the main office of the resort where they handle the bookings for Treetop Trekking and that they may offer me a discount for the activity because of the hassles I have encountered. So I walked over there and spoke to a resort rep who told me that Treetop Trekking is a third party company that is completely separate from them and they can't help me at all and that the resort rep I had talked to was confused. An error like that can be forgiven but never answering the phone for several days in a row is a turnoff to a potential customer. Needless to say, both my son and I are now...

The Discovery Course is a great adventure for Younger Children at a great price.

The Zip Line Ariel Game Trek is a fun challenge. I am moderately active and not in the best shape but was able to complete the beginner and intermediate course on my first attempt without too much difficulty. I would have liked to try to the harder courses but ran out of time.

My 9 year old son was also able to complete everything without stumbling but did have a little difficulty with one challenge due to his height.

Everything is completely safe. You are required to fill out a waiver (arrive early), complete an orientation course and progress through the courses in order of difficulty.

If you don't follow the rules you'll either hurt yourself or be escorted off the course.

Only problem I had was my twin 8 year olds wanted to try the larger course.

I wish there were more zip lines on the courses and the price of the Ariel Game Trek was a bit lower. Maybe break out the cost of running the hard courses?

Shout out to Lori. She was a big hit with our three children to the point that they were sad to say goodbye.

• Returned a couple times and it continues to be our favourite treetop location in Ontario.

Note: if you are staying at Carriage Hills Resort there is a hiking path that takes you directly there (it says it is closed but it's by the service road beside the pool building.) Otherwise you have to drive over to Horseshoe Valley Resort, park by the maze/mini-putt and walk through the golf course. It's confusing...