Extreme conferencing?

After a day of meetings and workshops, consider unwinding by whipping down a 600-foot zip line or navigating a rope bridge 45 feet off the ground.

On April 14, Horseshoe Resort is launching 'Arbraska Tree Top Adventures', designed to provide a unique corporate entertainment and team-building experience.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

"Our goal is to increase our ability to provide activities outside skiing and golf for meetings and conventions," says marketing and sales manager Terry Stacey.

The new year-round adventure park, with more than 70 innovative games involving Tarzan vines and climbing nets, offers five aerial courses ranging in difficulty from easy to extreme. Open day and night, this feature can accommodate guests four years of age and up.

On the opening weekend, resort president Rowley Ramey has invited interested trekkers to try the giant zip line at no cost.

This adventure program is the latest addition to the amenities available to corporate guests at the resort.

Its introduction follows the other recent announcement of a partnership between Horseshoe Resort and Yamaha, providing guests with the option of enjoying scenic guided tours on state-of-the-art snowmobiles.

Located about 20 minutes north of Barrie, Horseshoe Resort has a complete compliment of banquet and conference facilities.

Seven meeting rooms, accommodating groups of 10 to 250 people, offer a range of personalities. The two available spaces in the chalet overlook the ski slopes and the first tee of the Valley golf course - one of these rooms, the Alpine Room, also features an extensive balcony.

Just across the lane are the five meeting rooms in the Inn. All provide audio-visual presentation equipment and allow flexible setup arrangements.

And, up behind the resort, is the room Clubhouse that boasts an 1,800-square-foot room with large windows and a panoramic view that overlooks a golf course.

In-house catering for all functions is provided from an extensive and flexible menu.

When the working day is over, or it's time to build in some team-building fun, Horseshoe isn't limited to its new attractions.

Active guests can enjoy off-road Hummer or All-Terrain-Vehicle tours through the scenic trails of the Simcoe County Forest, and snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through the Copeland Forest. There is also the option of communing with huskies while dog sledding or tackling the depths of Lake Simcoe from a fish hut.

Not to be forgotten are the two premier golf courses and 23 downhill skiing and snowboarding runs, that represent the two sports the resort was built on.

For those who prefer not to venture outside, there is plenty of room to move in the pool and health club, with a personal trainer or in a yoga class.

Quieter pursuits also abound with horse-drawn wagon rides, campfires, wine-tasting opportunities and a full spa and salon.

Horseshoe Resort, under the new leadership of Ramey, has renewed its commitment to service.

"We have experienced sales people and experienced co-ordinators who are experts in what they do," says Stacey, speaking to the internal programs instituted within the last five months. "We've created a staff structure that's designed to give exceptional service to our guests."

Every function co-ordinator will be assigned a sales person, who will listen to the needs of the event and make suggestions, he adds. The resort has been diligent in providing facilities and activities that enhance special events night and day, despite the season.

For more information, visit the resort online at www.horseshoeresort.com.