Located close to the French mountain village of Châtel, part of Les Portes du Soleil, the Fantasticable offers a thrilling activity comprising two long, high zipwire journeys over a deep valley. What makes it different from any other zipwire I have done is that you lie prone and head forwards.
Arriving at the start point at Pré-la-Joux, I watch as other people set off on the zipwire. It made me nervous just seeing them lying prone at the start point, looking out across the valley.
The more I watched, the more nervous I became, but I also like to rise to a challenge and since the Fantasticable had been booked already, I knew I would do it. Even if I was scared.
Accompanied by Chloe, we decided that a tandem flight would be more fun. I was grateful to her for the support she gave me, simply by being there, looking scared, too, and metaphorically holding my hand.
You see, I do not like heights. I especially do not like look at things from an edge or a height.
Before you zip
Before you are launched off on the Fantasticable, a team checks your weight, fits you with a harness and tells you what the procedure will be. Most of this was in French – and some English – but I gleaned enough to work out that I would be flying fast through the air on two different zip wires.
The stats made for stomach churning reading: Speeds of up to 100km/h (60mph) at a height of up to 240m above the hamlet of Plaine-Dranse.
The first zipwire:
Length: 1200m
Start: 1930m
Arrival: 1820 m
Maximum height: 140m.
Second zipwire:
Length: 1323m
Start: 1828m
Arrival: 1712m
Maximum height: 240m.
Tandem Fantasticable zipwire
Finally it was our turn. After waiting and watching numerous brave people launch from the start of the zipwire, Chloe and I admitted we were feeling more and more nervous.
Doing as the instructor told us, we took it in turns to lie down as if in a plank position. As we did this, our harness was attached to carabiners on the zipwire above our backs and our feet were placed in a foot hold behind us. We were told to reach behind our backs to hold on to straps above our bums.
It was rather like holding a Superman pose but with our hands holding on behind us rather than stretched out in front.
It felt odd and vulnerable, especially as our view directly in front and below us was air. From the launching platform, our heads peered over the edge of a long drop to the valley floor and I felt my heart racing and my stomach turning. I wanted to get off – and return to firm land.
But there wasn’t too much time to contemplate this before the instructor asked us, in French, if we were ready. Well, at least I think this is what he said. Then he counted down 3, 2, 1 and we were suddenly off.
I had thought I might scream a swear word at this point but we did not zoom off quite as fast as I’d imagined and overall it was a pleasant experience. As we cruised through the air, we could look down and around at a spectacular mountain scenery.
On my mind were these things: Wow, I hope my sunglasses don’t drop off, wow, what if I have to find my sunglasses, look at the amazing views, gosh it’s so far to the valley floor, how often do they safety check the zipwires, when will we reach the other end, wow, super views etc.
Then suddenly, we were approaching the end of zipwire one. This was the scariest bits because I had no idea how they would break our speed. We were flying fast by now but a clever decelerating system at the end of the zipwire quickly pulled as to a slower pace and then we stopped.
Another instructor was there to greet us and to right us back on a platform. After a bit of rejigging and attaching us to the next zipwire, back over the valley, we were off again.
This time I enjoyed it a lot more. I felt more relaxed, although still nervous. I was able to look around more and I grinned at Chloe once or twice. I could see a large lake below, mountain trails, tiny people and at eye level there were mountain peaks stretching out for miles and miles.
It felt like a most incredible thing to do – and I am delighted that I put my nerves aside to give it a go. Both Chloe and I felt amazingly uplifted by the end and we both said we would like to do it again.
How much does it cost?
Solo flight: €36.
Tandem flight: €72.
Open on weekends in June and then daily from the end of June until September.
See Fantasticable.
Find out more at Portes du Soleil.
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