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Alpine Tower Challenge Course

Looking to challenge yourself? Looking to build teamwork? Then take a look at Idaho State University Outdoor Adventure Center’s Alpine Tower. The Alpine Tower is a grown-up jungle gym with seemingly limitless routes to the top of the tower. We start with three different access poles, each with different levels of difficulty. Each access pole takes you to a different climbing element. The goal of the Alpine Tower and Challenge Course is not just to reach the top. This is an exciting opportunity to participants to test their limits with the help of harnesses, belayers, and their teammates to take on challenges and reach new heights!!

  • The Challenge Course and Alpine Tower is best for groups of 6 or more (Challenge Course for ages 8+; Alpine Tower Climbing 12+)
  • Cost is $20.00 per person per hour ($100 deposit is required)
  • Schools should call for pricing
  • Custom programs are available

For information and reservations please email, outdoor@isu.edu or call the office at (208) 282-3912.

Alpine Tower High Elements

  • Great for: Group Challenge / Teamwork / Personal Growth
  • Adventure Level: Exciting
  • Minimum age: 12 years
  • Max Group Size: 40

The Alpine Tower is a giant wooden triangle-shaped structure that can accommodate multiple climbers at a time. We utilize a team belay system to assist climbers in their attempts to reach the top. This is a "challenge by choice" element. You choose how high you want to climb. There are several high element activities including the Jacob’s Ladder, which is a giant swinging ladder that requires team work from the rope ladder and people on the ground. There is also a cargo net which is another fun way to climb the tower. The Giant Swing is also “challenge by choice” element and you decide how high you want to swing.

Alpine Tower Low Elements

  • Great for: Teamwork / Group Fun
  • Adventure Level: Moderate
  • Minimum age: 8 years
  • Max Group Size: 40

The Islands is a series of tiny islands in a seemingly random pattern. Your team must find the correct way to the finish line. Whale Watch is a massive group teeter-totter. The Spider Web is a giant web. Teams must pass through the web without touching the rope lest you wake the sleeping giant spider (fyi, there is no giant spider). The Team Wall is a 10’ high slanted wall. It has multiple ascent paths and accommodates two climbers so you can come with a group of friends and race each other to the top! The A-Frame is an activity where one participant stands inside of an A-frame. While 4 other participants hold ropes to support the person inside of the A-frame. The goal of the game is to keep the person in the A-frame upright as long as possible and to promote communication, trust, and enthusiasm in themselves and each other.

Team-building Ground Activities

  • Great for: Team Building / Group Activity
  • Adventure Level: Fun and easy
  • Minimum age: 8 years
  • Max Group Size: 20

Traffic Jam is played at the base of the tower. Two teams facing each other have to work together to trade sides in a game like human chess and Nitro Crossing is a challenge where your team must transfer a valuable liquid across an imaginary ravine using a rope without spilling a drop, both games promote communications and idea-sharing. Mine Field is an activity for participants to interact with each other and demonstrate the importance of communication. It is played using obstacles as “mines”. The goal of the game is for one participant to traverse through a designated area full of the “mines” trying to make it through. All Aboard is an activity where all of the game participants must all fit onto a small wooden platform. It requires creativity and a raised level of comfort between the team in order to fit everyone onto the platform. Trolleys is a game in which participants must work together in order to walk around while each foot is attached to a wooden beam. In Captain Paddle participants move from paddle to paddle, leaving the one they started with standing vertically. The direction the group moves is decided by “Captain” at the beginning of each round. If the paddle you are trying to move hits the ground, you are now out of the game. The last person standing wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Time required depends on the group, what the group goals are, and group size. Programs can be tailored to fit almost any time schedule. A typical program consists of 2 - 4 hours. 

The Alpine Tower is located on Barton Road, across from the Fish and Game Office. The parking lot is a dirt parking lot, walk down the path to the Tower. 

Signed liability release form, water, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a positive attitude! 

Long pants are recommended (shorts are okay but not ideal), shirts that go below the waist (for more comfortable harness fitting), close-toed shoes, rain/wind jacket or coat depending on the weather, and no dangling jewelry. 

The Alpine Tower features a pavilion and a restroom. 

Learning outcomes are designed to meet each individual group's needs. This could include team building, leadership skills, communication, conflict resolution, and more! 

The Alpine Tower runs on a Challenge by Choice philosophy. 

50 feet tall 

Adult pricing is $20 per person/per hour. Call or email for youth pricing - outdoor@isu.edu call (208) 282-3912.

Call us for a custom program.

We require a $100.00 deposit. If canceled within 14 days of the reservation, the deposit will be forfeited.

Forms 

For your safety, we require that all attendees fill out the Challenge Course waiver form. Anyone who has not filled out the waiver form will be unable to participate until they have done so.

Challenge Course Waiver