7 Cool Places to Ride an Alpine Slide or Coaster

Riding alpine slides is a thrilling experience that combines the speed of a rollercoaster with the beauty of a scenic mountain ride. This unique attraction is typically found at ski resorts, and involves riding down a track on a sled-like vehicle. The sleds are equipped with brakes, allowing riders to control their speed as they twist and turn down the track.

Riding an alpine slide is a thrilling way to experience the mountains in a new way. With stunning views, heart-pumping speed, and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s no wonder that this activity has become a popular staple at ski resorts around the world. In this blog, we highlight 7 awesome alpine coasters in the United States.

7 Cool Places to Ride an Alpine Slide or Coaster
Alpine slides and coasters can be a fun and thrilling adventure for everyone in the family.

Alpine Slides and Coasters

Alpine slides are typically built on natural terrain, weaving through trees and alongside mountain streams, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Riders are able to control their speed, allowing them to take in the scenery at a leisurely pace, or pick up the pace for a more exhilarating ride.

One of the biggest draws of alpine slides is their accessibility. Unlike skiing or snowboarding, alpine slides can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The sleds are easy to control and don’t require any prior experience, making them a great activity for families or groups of friends.

Safety is always a top priority when it comes to alpine slides, with many resorts adhering to strict safety standards and protocols. Helmets are often provided, and riders are given thorough instructions before they begin their descent. Most alpine slides also have a minimum height requirement, ensuring that young children are not put at risk.

History of Alpine Slides

The origins of alpine slides can be traced back to the 1970s, when they were first introduced as a summer activity at ski resorts in Europe. The slides were designed to provide an exciting and unique way for visitors to enjoy the mountains during the off-season.

The first alpine slide was built in Austria in 1971, and was an immediate success. The slide was made of concrete, and riders sat on small carts that were equipped with brakes. The slide was designed to mimic the twists and turns of a ski run, with curves and dips that provided a thrilling ride.

Soon after, alpine slides began popping up at ski resorts throughout Europe, and the trend quickly spread to other parts of the world. In the 1980s and 1990s, alpine slides became a popular attraction at ski resorts in the United States and Canada, where they offered visitors a unique way to experience the mountains during the summer months.

Over the years, alpine slides have evolved and improved, with many resorts now offering high-tech sleds with advanced braking systems and safety features. Some alpine slides are now built with a combination of concrete and fiberglass, while others are entirely made of metal.

Despite these changes, the basic concept of the alpine slide remains the same. Riders sit on sleds or carts and speed down a track, controlling their speed with brakes. The slides are typically built on natural terrain, weaving through trees and offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Today, alpine slides continue to be a popular attraction at ski resorts and mountain destinations around the world. With their unique blend of speed, scenery, and family-friendly fun, they offer a thrilling experience that is sure to leave visitors with unforgettable memories.

7 Thrilling Alpine Slides in the United States

There are many great alpine slides to choose from in the United States, each offering a unique experience. Here are some of the best (in no particular order):

#1. Magic Mountain (Big Bear Lake, California)

The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain at Big Bear Lake is a thrilling summer attraction that offers a 2,600-foot-long track with banked turns, tunnels, and stunning views of the San Bernardino Mountains. Visitors can control their own speed on the sleds, making for an exhilarating and customizable experience.

7 Cool Places to Ride an Alpine Slide or Coaster
Here are 7 spectacular alpine slides and coasters in the United States that will give you the ride of a lifetime this summer.

#2. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs, Colorado)

The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Alpine Coaster is a unique summer attraction that takes riders on a thrilling 3,400-foot-long track through the mountainside. The coaster features dips, twists, and turns, as well as stunning views of the Roaring Fork Valley. Riders control their own speed, allowing for a customizable experience. In addition to the coaster, visitors can also explore the cave tours and other attractions at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

#3. Lutsen Mountains (Lutsen, Minnesota)

The Lutsen Mountains Alpine Slide is a popular summer attraction that offers a thrilling ride down a 2,500-foot-long track. Riders control their own sleds, allowing for customizable speeds as they take on banked turns, dips, and scenic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding North Shore. The ride includes a chairlift back to the top, where visitors can also enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and other summer activities, making it a great destination for adventure seekers.

#4. Park City Mountain Resort (Park City, Utah)

The Alpine Slide at Park City Mountain Resort offers a thrilling summer experience with a 3,000-foot-long track that takes riders on twists, turns, and dips through the scenic mountain landscape. Visitors can control their own speed on the sleds, allowing for a customized and exciting experience. The ride includes a lift back to the top, where visitors can also enjoy other attractions such as zip lining and hiking, making it a great destination for outdoor adventure.

#5. Jiminy Peak (Hancock, Massachusetts)

The Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort Mountain Coaster is a unique summer attraction that offers a thrilling ride down a 3,600-foot-long track. The coaster features dips, twists, and turns, as well as beautiful views of the Berkshires. Riders control their own speed, allowing for a personalized and exciting experience. In addition to the coaster, visitors can also enjoy other summer activities at the resort such as hiking, biking, and zip lining, making it a perfect destination for adventure seekers.

#6. Mt. Hood Adventure Park (Government Camp, Oregon)

The Alpine Slide at Mt. Hood Adventure Park offers a thrilling summer experience with a 2,700-foot-long track that takes riders on twists, turns, and dips through the scenic mountain landscape. Visitors can control their own speed on the sleds, allowing for a customized and exciting experience. The ride includes a lift back to the top, where visitors can also enjoy other attractions such as zip lining, bungee jumping, and mountain biking, making it a great destination for outdoor adventure.

#7. Alpine SuperSlide (Breckenridge, Colorado)

The Breckenridge Alpine SuperSlide is a popular summer attraction that offers a thrilling ride down a 2,600-foot-long track. Riders control their own sleds, allowing for customizable speeds as they take on banked turns, dips, and beautiful views of the Tenmile Range. The ride includes a chairlift back to the top, where visitors can also enjoy other summer activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and zip lining, making it a great destination for adventure seekers.

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