The Canyon Ski Resort in Alberta is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The ski resort recently introduced the family-friendly Canyon Coaster for visitors to enjoy during the summer season.
The Canyon Coaster is a thrilling experience that takes riders on a journey down the mountain, featuring twists, turns and breathtaking views.
If you’re looking for more information on the Canyon Coaster then you have come to the right place!
In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to experience this one-of-a-kind attraction so keep reading to find out more.
Contents
- Canyon Coaster – What to Expect
- How Long is the Canyon Coaster?
- How Fast is the Canyon Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and How To Get There
- Frequently Asked Questions
Canyon Coaster – What to Expect
The Canyon Coaster opened in 2022 to provide an additional attraction for visitors to the Canyon Ski Resort during the summer season.
This mountain coaster is a family-friendly ride that appeals to a broad spectrum of visitors making it a great success since it opened.
The Canyon Coaster was built on the old toboggan run and is accessible via the Upper Village extension at the top of the canyon near the Edgar Highspeed Tube Park, which operates during the winter months.
The Canyon Coaster, like many of Canada’s Mountain Coasters, runs on a monorail track which is built close to the ground and simulates the thrill of downhill mountain biking.
Each cart has a backrest, seatbelt and hand brake, which allows each rider to control their own speed.
To brake, pull the brake lever back towards you. To accelerate, push the brake lever forward.
The carts can comfortably seat one adult or an adult and a smaller child.
The ride itself has everything from long straights to curves, banks, drops and twists. A ride not to be missed!
At the end of the run, riders remain in the cart which is pulled back to the starting point via a cable-pulled ascent. This takes roughly 10 minutes.
If you haven’t had a chance to check it out we highly recommend you head there this summer.
Interesting fact: Because the Canyon Ski Resort operates as a ski resort in winter, parts of the Canyon Coaster track are dismantled during winter and then rebuilt at the beginning of the summer season.
How Long is the Canyon Coaster?
According to the manufacturer’s website, the Canyon Coaster in Red Deer, Alberta 1,345 meters long (4,413 feet) and has a total vertical descent of 134 meters (439 feet).
The downhill time is a little less than 2 minutes, depending on your speed (mountain coasters have a manual brake so you’re able to control this).
How Fast is the Canyon Coaster?
The Canyon Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h.
As a safety feature, this mountain coaster with an automatic braking system that prevents the carts from going over the maximum speed.
In addition, this mountain coaster is fitted with a manual brake that lets riders control the speed of their descent.
If 40 km/h (25 mp/h) is too fast for you, you can slow the ride down to a speed that feels more comfortable.
The brake lever is located between your legs, pulling it back to engage the brakes.
It doesn’t take long to get the hang of it and before you know it you’ll be cruising down the mountain.
What is a Mountain Coaster?
If you’re unfamiliar with mountain coasters (also known as alpine coasters), check out the post we wrote.
Mountain or alpine coasters are gravity-powered roller coasters that use the natural contours of a mountain to provide riders with a thrilling downhill ride experience.
Mountain coasters are a great activity that the whole family can enjoy. However, given the nature of this ride, there are some age and height restrictions that apply.
In addition, mountain coasters are equipped with a manual brake, enabling riders to adjust their descent speed.
This unique feature allows riders to have greater control of their experience.
If things get a bit too fast for your liking you can apply the brake, if you’re more of the daredevil type then you can leave the brake untouched for maximum speed.
And finally, no prior experience or training is necessary. You can just jump in and enjoy the ride.
Canyon Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain coasters is that many 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 Canyon Coaster.
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 Does the Canyon Coaster Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Canyon Coaster at the Canyon Ski Resort was as follows:
| Ride | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ride | $25 |
| Passenger Ride Wristband (ages 3 -12) | $10 |
| Tiny Tiger Passenger (ages 3 – 5) | Free |
Ticket prices above do not include GST.
We highly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance. Tickets sell out on weekends and during peak times. Buying your tickets online guarantees you a spot.
During peak times and weekends, you can expect a wait time of approximately one hour.
Canyon Coaster Operating Hours
The Canyon Coaster is only open during the summer. Operating hours for the 2023 summer season are as follows:
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| May 20 – June 29 | Friday – Sunday |
| June 30 – September 4 | Every day |
| September 8 – October 8 | Friday – Sunday |
The actual opening times vary during the summer season so we recommend you check out the official website for the latest information.
The mountain coaster cannot operate during heavy rain.
If you’re unsure about the operating status, we recommend reaching out to the team at Canyon Ski Resort to find out.
Canyon Coaster Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are rider height, age and other requirements that have been put in place to ensure your safety.
We’ve listed the key ones below:
- To ride alone you must be 8 years of age or older, and 4′ 1″ or taller.
- The driver must be a minimum of 16 years old to ride with a passenger in the cart.
- Passengers must be 3 to 12 years old and a minimum of 3′ 2″ tall.
- Passengers must be no taller than the driver’s shoulders. No upper height limit on single riders.
- The maximum weight capacity per cart is 260 lbs (118 kgs).
A full list of the Canyon Coaster Terms & Conditions can be found on the official website here.
Location and How To Get There
The Canyon Coaster is located at the Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer County, Alberta.
Address: 38433 Range Road 264A Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada T4E 0Z1
Directions to the Canyon Coaster can also be found on the map below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Alberta Canyon Coaster?
The Alberta Canyon Coaster is located at the Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer County, Alberta.
How long is the coaster ride in Red Deer?
The mountain coaster ride in Red Deer is 1,345 meters long (4,413 feet) and has a total vertical descent of 134 meters (439 feet).
You can expect a downhill ride time of about 2 minutes, depending on your speed.
Before You Go..
Mountain and alpine coasters are growing in popularity in Canada.
If you want to find out more about Canada’s mountain coasters then check out the guide we wrote on the Best Mountain Coasters in Canada.
