Whitefish company brings laser tag to the great outdoors
JEREMY WEBER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 3 months AGO
Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag owner Janet Coombs brings the fun of laser tag to the Flathead Valley and beyond. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Laser tag players battle for control of a hay bale while playing with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Laser tag players race to grab light guns during a "Hunger Games" round with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Rafferty Bunn, left, and Sam Collins pick their targets while playing with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Layla Blumenthal, left, Alexa Blumenthal, middle, and Jack Nortman take cover together during a round of laser tag with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Ethan Hickey, right, and his son Aiden strategize while playing laser tag with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Alexa Blumenthal, top, and Aiden Hickey look for targets while playing with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Ethan Hickey takes aim from behind cover during a round of laser tag with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Sam Collins, left, and Dan Collins take aim at their opponents during a round of laser tag with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Laser tag competitors look over a table of equipment before the games begin with Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag near Bigfork on Friday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Whitefish's Janet Coombs was looking for a bit of fun when she asked a friend to help her start an outdoor laser tag business. Twelve years and countless events later, she still brings the fun of the unique sport to many in the Flathead Valley and beyond.
With two established courses in Columbia Falls and Happy Valley, Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag offers friends, family and coworkers the rare chance to shoot each other, and laugh about it later.
"This is not just for kids," Coomb said. "Laser tag is a great team-building activity, promoting communication and critical thinking. It's a great workout and more fun than going to the gym."
The game is simple. Each player is equipped with a gun that emits light or radio waves, and a visor with sensors attached. The goal is to shoot your opponent as many times as possible while avoiding being hit yourself.
Some games have time limits. Others are won by the last player standing.
Coombs said it's all about getting outside and having fun.
"Part of doing this was for my children. I didn't want them to be growing up sitting on a couch and watching television," she said. "This is a great way to get people to go outdoors and be active — plus it's a ton of fun."
For Coombs, the adventure began after she hosted a laser tag event for a friend, who later agreed to back her as she turned her events into a full-fledged business. Just three years later, she was able to repay her friend's investment, along with a healthy profit, and buy him out to take full ownership of Flashpoint.
Along with her family and Rambo the "laser tag dog" (who keeps the big cats, bears and bull elk away from the playing areas) Coombs has hosted games for several groups over the years, including Flathead Valley Community College and Glacier High School.
These days, Coombs hosts games for guests of the Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork three days a week.
Flashpoint also offers mobile games, bringing laser tag equipment directly to clients.
With a base rate of just $30 for two hours of play, Coombs said her business is more about helping people enjoy themselves than turning a profit.
"People often ask me why I charge so little. It's because I want everyone to be able to come out and have fun," she said. "Owning this business is about more than just making money."
Flashpoint Outdoor Laser Tag is on Facebook, and its website is flashpointlasertag.com.
Reporter Jeremy Weber may be reached at 406-758-4446 or [email protected].
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