Malahat SkyWalk & Merridale Cidery & Distillery
Trip Information
Visit Vancouver Island's Newest Attraction. Malahat SkyWalk is an accessible 600 m TreeWalk through a beautiful arbutus forest leading to a spectacular gentle spiral ramp that takes you up 32m to a sightseeing lookout offering views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the distant Coast Mountains. Afterwards, join Cultural Connections as we head over to Merridale Cidery & Distillery for a luncheon that will include: hummus and naan, brick-oven bread and house made dips, artisan pizza, fresh salad and Merridale Cider.
MALAHAT SKYWALK
SPIRAL TOWER
Ascend the spiral ramp to peak adventure. At 250 m above sea level, the tower provides sweeping views of Mt. Baker, Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Peninsula, and islands in two countries. Explore the West Coast from a whole new perspective and then choose your descent with a return walk down the ramp or take the fast route on our Spiral Slide.
ARBUTUS GROVE
The arbutus, or Pacific madrone, appears wonderfully exotic with its smooth chartreuse wood covered by reddish, papery bark. It grows on rocky coastlines and, in spring, bears white flowers that smell like honey. In autumn, red berries help feed many of the local birds and wildlife.
SPIRAL SLIDE
Coming down from the tower on the 20 metre spiral slide might be the only thing as awesome as the view from the top.
ADVENTURE NET
With the ground far below you and breathtaking scenery all around, walk out onto the sturdy 84 ㎡ Adventure Net for an experience unlike any other. Suspended above the centre of the tower, you’ll have uninterrupted views of the lush arbutus forest and the spiralling structure beneath your feet.
MERRIDALE CIDERY & DISTILLERY
There is nothing quite like the sizzling hot aroma of melted cheese, tomato sauce and, of course, the crispy hot pizza crust. At Merridale, they don’t just make their pizza with authentic, local ingredients, they also bake them in a large wood fired brick oven.
Begin your meal with Merridale's house made brick oven bread and dips along with hummus and naan. Enjoy their house salad featuring Merridale’s apple cider vinaigrette, along with an assortment of delicious oven baked pizzas. Two varieties of Merridale's refreshing cider will be placed on the table for you to enjoy. Once you've gotten your fill - take some time to explore the orchard by walking around the grounds.
What to Wear:
- Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and for walking
What to Bring:
- Face mask (you will be required to wear it while traveling on the bus)
- Proof of vaccinations
- Umbrella or rain coat (in case it rains)
- Water bottle
- Money if you wish to shop
- Snacks & lunch (or money for food)
- A backpack to carry all your items
- Camera
Meeting Location:
VIU Building 255, Main Lobby (second floor) at 9:15 am
Trip Includes:
Round-trip Transportation, Malahat SkyWalk, Merridale Cider Lunch: Artisan Pizza, Fresh Salad & Cider, Self-guided Orchard Walk
Policies, Health & Safety
We have an ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and quality of our trips, with trained and responsible student leaders, staff and community partners. Before you sign-up, please check out our policies & procedures for more information about how to prepare for a trip, as well as our cancellation policy.
How to Sign Up
Our activities are available to all current VIU Students. Sign up with us in person in at the Front Reception Desk on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 1pm in Building 255 - Second Floor.
You will need to have your:
- Student card,
- Proof of medical insurance (BC Care Card or Guard.me Insurance Policy)
- Payment (cash is currently the only method of payment for activities)
Waiver Form
Please read our general waiver form for VIU group activities in the attachment section below. All participants are required to read and sign the waiver before the start of the trip. We will provide a paper copy for you to read through again and sign the morning of the trip.
Contact
Kelsey Moon – Activity Program Coordinator
Kelsey.moon@viu.ca
250-753-3245 x 2228
Attachments
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| viu_cultural_connections_waiver_2.pdf | 297.5 KB |