Summer Fun On The Snowbird Mountain Coaster

altachalets • January 19, 2023

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There’s more to Snowbird Utah than 2,500 acres of world-class ski slopes boasting the greatest snow on Earth. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is one of Utah’s best destinations for summer fun! 

Situated at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s scenic Wasatch Mountains, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort offers alpine adventures in all four seasons. Alta and Snowbird’s laid-back ski culture, iconic snow conditions, and diverse inbound and backcountry terrain attract skiers and snowboarders from across the globe, yet summer in the Wasatch brings loads of fun too. 

The summer activities at Snowbird are geared toward the whole family, with fresh mountain air and warm bluebird days to get outdoors in nature, eat and drink on outdoor patios, and play to your heart’s content on Snowbird Resort’s base area amenities. 

The fun begins at the Snowbird Center where you’ll find tree climbing and a ropes course, a bungee trampoline, a climbing wall, kid’s inflatables, Spider Mountain climbing tower, and gemstone mining and gold panning to strike it rich! The ZipWhipper and Vertical drop are nearby for a fun, free-fall experience for the brave at heart. 

From the Snowbird Center, visitors can ride the Peruvian chairlift or iconic Snowbird Aerial Tram to access the historic tunnel museum, lift-served trails for hiking, mountain biking, and alpine fishing, fields of famous wildflowers, and breathtaking 360-degree views of the Wasatch Mountains from the summit of Hidden Peak. 

The Mountain Coaster and Alpine Slide are Snowbird’s top summer attractions. Whether you’re an avid adrenaline seeker or have yet to experience the thrill of an alpine coaster or slide, rushing down the trails and slopes of Snowbird will satisfy your need for speed in summer, with stunning views to top off the ultimate alpine experience.

Snowbird Mountain Coaster

Family sliding down the mountain coaster
Credit to Snowbird’s website

The gravity of the natural contours of the mountain is what gets you down the slopes. The Snowbird Mountain Coaster is a classic, gravity-powered alpine coaster where the need for speed is completely controlled by the rider. Riders board the Mountain Coaster’s 2-person cart near the base of the Peruvian Express chairlift outside the Snowbird Center and are pulled up to the top of the track for a gravity-fueled descent back down to the base. 

Riding the Snowbird Mountain Coaster is thrilling! The 3,120-foot journey down the frontside of Snowbird follows a series of swooping twists and turns, horizontal loops, tree-lined stretches, and a final dip back to the Snowbird Center base area. No experience is needed, and it’s fun for the whole family. 

The Snowbird Mountain Coaster can reach speeds of up to 27 mph, but the cart’s speed is controlled by a manual brake positioned between the rider’s legs for complete control of your experience. Simply apply the break when needed, or leave it untouched for maximum speed. The total ride time including the cable-pulled ascent to the top of the track is 2.5 minutes. Local Tip – Get the All-Day Activity Pass and you can ride all day!

Snowbird Mountain Coaster Rules & Restrictions

  • Riders must be at least 38” tall and a minimum of 3 years old.
  • Riders between 38” and 53” tall must ride with an adult age 16+.
  • Riders must be at least 54” to ride alone. 

Snowbird Alpine Slide 

Wide shot photograph overlooking the snowbird alpine slide
Credit to Snowbird

At 1,300 feet and a little over a minute long, the Snowbird Alpine Slide is shorter, less intimidating for little ones, yet equally as exciting. The Alpine Slide is a smooth, dual-track slide from the top of the Chickadee lift down to the Snowbird Aerial Tram with short twists, turns, and tunnels along the way. 

The summer-style sled picks up quite a speed but there’s a manual break to adjust your own speed and an automatic braking system to limit your speed to a max of 25 mph. Safety first, even if you’re trying to race your friends alongside you. 

The Snowbird Alpine Slide only allows a small number of riders at once and you may experience a wait time, especially on summer weekends. To avoid waiting in line, plan to be in line for the first alpine slide ride of the day. And, with your Snowbird All-Day Activity Pass, you can ride all day.

Snowbird Alpine Slide Rules & Restrictions

  • Riders between the ages 3 and 6 must ride with an adult age 16+.
  • Riders must be at least 7 years old to ride the alpine slide alone. 

Snowbird Mountain Activity Passes  

The All-Day Activity Pass is the best value for money for summer activities at Snowbird Resort. The pass gives you unlimited access to the base area amenities including the ropes course, climbing wall, tree climb, bungee trampoline, summer tubing, Spider Mountain, the Peruvian chairlift, and Snowbird’s alpine coaster and slide. 

That’s a lot of all-day fun at Snowbird for one low price! Please visit Snowbird Resort for All-Day Activity Pass Pricing for the 2023 Summer Season. 

Please note: Snowbird Resort summer scenic tram rides, guided hikes, gemstone mining, ZipWhipper, and Vertical Drop are not included in the All-Day Activity Pass. 

Stay Near the Snowbird Mountain Coaster

Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic getaway to the Wasatch Mountains or a summer soiree with a large group of family or friends, you’ll find a luxury home away from home to suit your group size and style with Alta Chalets. 

Our selection of Alta and Snowbird vacation homes and condos are equipped with your vacation in mind and centrally located to experience the alpine adventures in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon in any season! 

Browse our collection of vacation rentals near the Snowbird Mountain Coaster online, or call our team today at (801) 424-2426. We’re here to help you plan your stay in Alta-Snowbird! 

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