Ziprider^®

Icy Strait Point

Hoonah, AK

For nearly two decades, the Icy Strait Point ZipRider® has been the defining adventure of Alaska cruise itineraries and one of the most celebrated shore excursions in the world. Since opening in 2007, it has served as the anchor attraction at Icy Strait Point—drawing guests from every major cruise line, inspiring repeat visitation, and earning a reputation as a must‑do experience for anyone visiting Southeast Alaska. Originally the world’s longest zip line and still one of the largest on the planet, its combination of scale, scenery, and pure adrenaline has made it an icon in the cruise industry and a bucket‑list ride for travelers from around the globe.

For additional information, please visit the Icy Strait Point website. Please note, ZipRider reservations must be made through your cruise line.

Ziprider^® Stats

Length: 5,495 feet long
Vertical Drop: 1,320 feet
Average % Grade: 25%
Top Speed: 65 mph
Cables: 6 side by side
Average Ticket Price: $200
Average Throughput: 40-50 riders per hour
Average Day: 300 – 500 Riders 
Biggest Day: 502 riders
Approximately 140 cruise call days per season

Your adventure begins at Icy Strait Point, a remote cruise destination surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Tongass National Forest. After stepping ashore, a scenic gondola carries you through towering spruce and hemlock to a mountaintop launch platform overlooking Port Frederick, the village of Hoonah, and the island‑studded waters of the Inside Passage. From the platform, your cruise ship appears tiny against the vast coastline. When the gates open, you accelerate out and over the cliff, soaring nearly 300 feet above the old‑growth temperate rainforest with panoramic views of ocean, islands, and wilderness stretching to the horizon. The flight lasts about a minute and a half and ends on the beach at sea level—an unforgettable descent that many guests describe as the highlight of their entire Alaska cruise. Icy Strait Point proudly calls their ZipRider® “an experience of a lifetime.”

ZipRider reservations must be made through the cruise line you will be traveling with to Icy Strait Point. If you are planning to visit Icy Strait Point on your own, you may email info@icystraitpoint.com to inquire if it’s possible to make a direct reservation.

“The ZipRider®, to me, is more than just a 90-second thrill ride. Just getting to the top is an adventure. You'll most likely see whales and other marine life on the first part of the drive, and then you get the privilege to take a look into the deep forested Alaska... where the mighty coastal brown bears dwell. Never is it guaranteed to see bears or any wildlife on the drive up, but the possibilities are there, which adds to the allure of the ride. Now onto the ride, I've personally ridden the ride 500 plus times and I can say I always find something that grips my attention and leaves me wanting to find the first person I see and recreate in words what I have just experienced.

The ZipRider® has continued to be a huge attraction at Icy Strait Point. There are a large number of guests each ship day that come here just for the ZipRider®. And yes, most of the riders who ride our ZipRider® for the first time are completely blown away. There are people at the top, waiting to ride, who are so terrified you'd think their worst nightmare came true, but with a few encouraging words from our playful, easy-going crew, they usually take the flight. Then, after the ride, the amazement is well defined in their body language AND their use of certain profanities. But it most likely ends with a big hug from family members, signifying the completion of a major event or milestone in one's life. It's pretty neat to witness.”

Donald Dybdahl

Icy Strait Point ZipRider®