Winter weather in the United States is very, very different depending on where you go. In the north, like Alaska, Michigan, and Vermont, you will likely find lots of snow and cold temperatures, whereas in Hawaii you will find warm, tropical weather. Last year, we explored some of the most amazing ziplines in the United States. Now, let’s talk about what you should plan on wearing while ziplining at each of these courses during the winter months from December through February.

Cool Winter Ziplines: from North to South

Alaska, the northern-most state in the United States, has a zipline with an incredible view. It is located in the popular cruise ship port of Icy Strait Point. The zipline itself is called Icy Strait Point.  Average winter high temperatures in Alaska are 35 degrees in December and January and then 37 degrees in February. Average low temperatures are around 27 degrees during the winter months. Although this might not be as cold as you would expect for Alaska during the winter, it is important to factor in the windchill that you will feel while you are on the zipline. Your top speed on this line will be close to 65 miles per hour so dress in warm layers including snow boots, snow pants, a winter coat, hat, and gloves. This course will likely have some snow on it during the winter months! [embed]https://www.facebook.com/IcyStraitPoint/photos/a.131429493534606/1549551351722406/?type=3&theater[/embed] Moving down to Hunter Mountain, New York, you will find colder temperatures on average than what you would see at the Icy Strait Point, Alaska zipline during the winter. Average highs at Hunter Mountain are in the mid-20s during the winter months and average low temperatures are in the single digits. You will most likely get to zipline over some snowy landscapes during the winter on this course so the views will be magical! Be sure to dress in layers with warm boots, snow pants, gloves, and a hat so you can focus on the exciting course instead of thinking about how cold you are. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BNX8EFzDeqT/[/embed] Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers much more mild winter temperatures than New York or Alaska. Average winter highs are in the low 50s and average low temperatures are in the high 20s. If you embark on a zipline adventure at Climb Works Smoky Mountains, check the weather before you go to make sure you wear the best clothing for the weather that day. Since the course is in the mountains, there is a chance that you could zipline over some beautiful white snow! If there is snow on the ground, make sure you wear winter boots so your feet don’t get chilly when you are hiking between ziplines. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BiX4nKkAoeR/[/embed] The next course is much further south than Tennessee. Skyline Eco-Adventures Haleakala is located on Maui, Hawaii. If you are in Maui during the winter, you will get the pleasure of escaping the chilly weather that is blanketing most of the United States during December, January and February. Although Maui is warm all year round, our Haleakala course is located at a higher altitude than most of the island. So, it is colder up here than on the rest of the island, especially during the winter months. For example, Maui’s average high temperatures in December are in the mid-70s but up on Haleakala, the average high temperature falls around 50 degrees because of the difference in altitude. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Brf7VehndmB/[/embed] If you are spending time soaking up some sun on the beach before visiting us at our zipline course, you will likely feel chilly on the lines. We recommend wearing pants and a light jacket during your time on the tour so that you are warm and comfortable. But don’t let temperatures in the 50s fool you, Maui will still feel very tropical compared to many other places in the United States during the winter months.

Ziplines That Are Closed During Winter

Because of the seasonality of some zipline courses and the weather conditions during the winter in some areas of the United States, not all zipline courses are open during the winter months. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge, Ohio is one of these courses that is closed during the winter but it will be open again at the end of March. Soaring Tree Top Adventures in Durango, Colorado is another highly rated course that closes during the winter months. This course opens up again in the middle of May, which allows for most of the winter snow to melt in the mountains. Vermont is another state with very cold, snowy winters. The Stowe Mountain ZipTour located in Stowe, Vermont closes during the coldest months of the year and opens again at the end of June for summer tours.