If you’re looking for an exciting summer family activity at the Breckenridge Resort in Colorado, then make sure you check out the Breckenridge Alpine Slides.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this ride, then you have come to the right place!
This guide features everything you need to know about riding these alpine slides, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
Contents
- How Long Are the Breckenridge Alpine Slides?
- How Fast Do the Breckenridge Alpine Slides Go?
- What is an Alpine Slide?
- Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Where are the Breckenridge Alpine Slides?
- FAQs
How Long Are the Breckenridge Alpine Slides?
There are three alpine slides to choose from, each being 2,600 feet (793m) long.
Each of the three slides has a different set of twists, turns and dips making each ride a completely unique experience.
The slides run parallel to each other which means you can ride alongside family and friends.
The total ride time from top to bottom is about 2 minutes depending on your speed.
How Fast Do the Breckenridge Alpine Slides Go?
Alpine slides can reach a speed of up to 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
The alpine slide carts are fitted with a manual brake which allows riders to adjust the speed of their descent.
This is a great feature of alpine slides as it gives you full control of your ride experience.
Alpine slides are also fitted with an automatic braking system or speed restrictor that prevents the cart from going above a maximum speed. This is done to ensure the safety of the riders.
What is An Alpine Slide?
One way to think of alpine slides is that they are a summer version of the bobsled.
But unlike the bobsleds, an alpine slide is a smooth continuous track made of fibreglass, concrete or stainless steel and does not need ice to operate.
Like alpine coasters, alpine slides are installed in mountainous areas and are a popular activity in ski resorts.
These are gravity-powered rides so they use the natural contours of these areas to operate.
How does an alpine slide work?
Riders are transported down the alpine slide track in one or two-person carts.
The carts are fitted with a manual brake, positioned between the rider’s legs, that give riders full control of their speed and experience.
The photo below is an example of an alpine slide cart. Riders sit in the cart with their legs facing forward.
The lever in the middle with the red grip is the brake. You pull back on this lever to engage the brake and push forward to release it.
Alpine Slide Saftey
Safety is an important feature of alpine slides and technology improvements over the years have certainly increased rider safety.
However, as with any thrill ride of this nature, there are always risks involved.
Alpine slides can reach a speed of up to 25 mp/h (40 km/h) and almost all alpine slide accidents happen because riders are going too fast.
So if it’s your first time riding an alpine slide it’s important to become familiar with the cart and the manual brake before flying down the mountain.
Overall, alpine slides are a thrilling experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. They are not difficult to operate and no prior experience or training is necessary.
With some basic instructions, you can jump in and enjoy the ride!
Breckenridge Alpine Slides Video
One of the great things about alpine slides is that a lot of people have filmed their experiences.
These videos give you an opportunity to “experience” the ride before you go on it.
The video below gives you a first-person view of what you can expect from start to finish on the Breckenridge Alpine Slide.
One thing to be aware of though is that point-of-view videos can be a bit misleading.
The wide-angled lens makes the drops shallower and the ride seems way slower than it is in real life.
They provide a good idea of what the ride looks like but only real-world experience tells you how they feel. So get out there and try it for yourself.
How Much Do the Breckenridge Alpine Slides Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Breckenridge Alpine Slides during summer is as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Single-ride (48″ or taller) | $34.00 |
| Single-ride passenger (35″ – 47″) | $19.00 |
Tickets can be purchased online in advance and collected from
Riders not tall enough to go alone must be accompanied by someone 16+ years old.
The alternative to paying per ride is to buy either the Adventure Pass or the Pioneer Pack.
The Adventure Pass gives you unlimited, all-day access to a number of summer activities at Breckenridge including the Alpine Slides and the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster.
The Pioneer Pack is valid for three total uses on the activities of your choice and also includes the Alpine Slides and the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster.
If you want to try out all the other activities on offer in Breckenridge then we recommend these passes rather than paying for one-off rides on the Alpine Slide.
At the time of writing, the Adventure Pass and the Pioneer Pack cost the following:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Adventure Pass (54″ or taller) | $109 |
| Adventure Pass (53″ and under) | $79 |
| Pioneer Pack (54″ or taller) | $74 |
| Pioneer Pack (53″ and under) | $59 |
Breckenridge Alpine Slide Operating Hours
The Breckenridge alpine slides are only open during the summer season and are open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
The summer season runs from the middle of June to the beginning of September.
Unfortunately, the alpine slides will be closed for the 2023 summer season due to ongoing construction at the base of Peak 8.
However, the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster is expected to run weekends in July and for the majority of August.
The exact dates can be found on the official Breckenridge website here.
Breckenridge Alpine Slide Rider Requirements
The Breckenridge Alpine Slides have the following rider requirements which have been put in place for your safety:
- Drivers must be 48″ tall
- Riders must be at least 35″ tall
- Riders aged 3 – 6 must ride with a driver that is at least 16 years old.
Where Are the Breckenridge Alpine Slides?
The alpine slides are located at the Breckenridge Resort in Colorado.
More specifically, the summer fun starts at Peak 8 Base Camp, which is accessible via the free Breckenridge Gondola from town.
In addition to the alpine slide, this is where you’ll find a hub of family-friendly activities including the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster.
Below is a screenshot showing you all the Peak 8 Base Camp Activities. You can find a link to the map online here.
Take a look at the Google map below if you need additional help getting there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Breckenridge have alpine slides?
Yes – Breckenridge has three alpine slides 2,600 feet (793m) long alpine slides for you to choose from.
With a total downhill ride time of about 2 minutes, depending on your speed, this is a family favorite summer activity.
In addition to this, Breckenridge also has the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster.
Both rides are family-friendly and are worth definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.
How old do you have to be to ride the Alpine Slide Breckenridge?
The minimum age to ride the Breckenridge Alpine Slide is 3 years old.
Riders aged 3-6 must be accompanied by an adult that is at least 16 years old.
Is the Breckenridge alpine slide open in winter?
The Breckenridge Alpine Slides are only open during the summer season.
This is because the alpine slides are not elevated above the ground and are therefore covered in snow during winter.
But don’t worry, the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster at the Breckenridge Ski Resort operates all year round!
If you’re looking for a fun activity with your family or need a break from the ski slopes, then make sure you check it out.
Where do you park for the Breckenridge alpine slide?
There is no parking available at the Peak 8 Base Camp which is where the alpine slide is located.
Instead, we recommend parking in town, the gondola South Lot and North Lot are located on Watson Road and North Park Avenue.
You can then catch the free Breckenridge Gondola up the mountain to the Peak 8 Base Camp.
Please note that you’ll still have to pay for parking in town.
An alternative free option is to park at the Airport Road lot, catch a shuttle bus to the Breckenridge Gondola and then take the gondola up the mountain to the rides.
Before You Go..
The Breckenridge Alpine Slides are just one of four alpine slides in the state of Colorado.
If you want to experience the thrill of a different alpine slide, then check out our guide to Colorado’s Alpine Slides.
We also wrote a comprehensive guide to Colorado’s Alpine and Mountain Coasters, so make sure you take a look at that if you’re looking for additional family-friendly activities.
