Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Jackson, Wyoming, the Cowboy Coaster at Snow King Mountain Resort is a thrilling family-friendly mountain coaster you do not want to miss.
This gravity-driven mountain coaster takes riders on a journey down the mountainside, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Teton Range.
With its twists, turns, and adrenaline-pumping drops, the Cowboy Mountain Coaster promises an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Constructed in 2015, the Cowboy Coaster was the first alpine coaster in the Wyoming region.
If you’re interested in this coaster then you’ve come to the right place!
We provide everything you need to know so keep on reading to find out more.
Contents
- How Long is the Cowboy Coaster?
- How Fast is the Cowboy Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Video
- Cost
- Rider Requirements
- Operating Hours
- Location and Directions
How Long Is the Cowboy Coaster?
The Cowboy Coaster is 3,295 feet (1,000m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple 360-degree loops, twists and turns as it winds its way down the mountain.
The coaster has a total vertical descent of 456 feet (138m).
The total downhill ride time is approximately 2 minutes, depending on your speed.
Mountain coasters are fitted with a manual brake so the speed is something you’re in control of.
Total ride time including a cable-pulled ascent is about 6 minutes.
How Fast Is the Cowboy Coaster?
The Cowboy Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
As a safety feature, mountain coasters are fitted 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.
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 essentially gravity-powered roller coasters that use the natural contours of a mountain to provide riders with a thrilling downhill ride experience.
Alpine 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, alpine 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.
Cowboy Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain and alpine coasters 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.
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!
Below is a quick highlights video of the Cowboy Coaster put together by the Snow King Mountain ski resort.
Next up is a video of the full Cowboy Coaster experience.
This gives you a first-person view of what this ride is like from start to finish.
If you’re only interested in the downhill section then fast forward to 4:34 in the video.
How Much Does the Cowboy Coaster Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost for one ride on the Cowboy Coaster during summer was as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Driver | $20 |
| Passenger | $10 |
Tickets are available at the Rafferty Center 402 E. Snow King Avenue or the Snow King Mountain Sports in the Snow King Hotel.
Tickets can also be purchased online on the official website here.
Summer Activities
If you’re thinking of heading to Snow King Mountain during summer then it’s worth looking into The Big King Pass rather than purchasing individual tickets to ride the mountain coaster.
The Big King Pass offers unlimited rides on the Cowboy Coaster in addition to many other activities including the zip-line, tree-top adventure, mini-golf, alpine slide, bungee trampoline, and scenic gondola ride.
Winter Activities
In winter, tickets to ride the Cowboy Coaster are sold for 1 hour of use rather than per ride.
The cost to ride on the Cowboy Coaster during winter is as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Driver | $30+ |
| Passenger | $20+ |
An alternative to this is the Winter Big King Pass.
During the winter season, this pass offers visitors unlimited use of all open winter activities at Snow King Mountain for one day.
The winter activities include Day/Night skiing, Cowboy Coaster, and King Tubes.
The Winter Big King Pass can be purchased online here.
Mountain Coaster Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are a few height and age requirements to be aware of before you can take part in the ride.
We’ve summarised the key ones for you below:
- Children must be at least 3 years old and 38″ (96cm) tall.
- The minimum height for single riders is 54″ (137cm).
- If there are two people riding together, the minimum height for the passenger is 38″ (96cm) and the driver must be at least 54″ (137cm) and 16 years or older.
- The maximum weight per cart is 375 lbs (170kg).
A liability waiver must be completed before you can ride the mountain coaster.
This can be filled in online before you arrive.
Cowboy Coaster Operating Hours
Winter operating hours:
| Monday – Friday | 1.00 pm – 6.30 pm |
| Saturday | 1.00 pm – 6.30 pm |
| Sunday | 11.00 am – 4.00 pm |
Hours are subject to change. More information can be found on the official website here.
Summer operating hours:
| Early summer (end May to mid-June) | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm |
| Peak Summer (mid-June to mid-August) | 10.00 am – 8.00 pm |
| Late Summer (mid-August to early September) | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm |
| September | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm |
| October Weekends | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm |
Hours are subject to change. More information can be found on the official website here.
Location and Directions
The Cowboy Coaster is located at the Snow King Mountain Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Address: 402 E. Snow King Avenue, Jackson, Wyoming
The Cowboy Coaster and Alpine Slide are all located at the Rafferty Center.
Directions to the Cowboy Coaster can be found on the map below:
Before You Go
If you enjoy mountain coasters then you’ll definitely want to check our guide to the Snow King Mountain Alpine Slide which is also located at the Snow King Mountain Resort.
This is another family-friendly activity not to be missed!
