Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
In summer, the mountain transforms into an adventure playground with a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, mountain biking and the Eagle Coaster.
The Eagle 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 Eager 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.
Table of Contents
- Eagle Coaster – Cypress Mountain
- How Long is the Eagle Coaster?
- How Fast is the Eagle Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Eagle Coaster Video
- Eagle Coaster Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- How To Get There
- Tips and Advice
Eagle Coaster – Cypress Mountain
The Eagle Coaster opened in 2021 to provide an additional attraction for visitors to Cypress Mountain during the summer season.
This alpine coaster is a family-friendly ride that appeals to a broad spectrum of visitors making it a great success since it opened.
Here is what you can expect when you take a ride on the Eagle Coaster –
Your Eagle Coaster adventure starts with a trip up the Eagle Express Quad chairlift to the top of Black Mountain.
From there, you get into one of the alpine coaster carts and after a safety briefing and instructions your adventure begins.
The Eagle 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.
The upper section of the track is where you’ll get the best views of the mountains – don’t forget to look up!
As the ride heads down the mountain, it enters forested areas which provides a completely different experience.
There are signs along the route indicating where you should brake but some people prefer to head down the mountain without using the brake at all!
Interesting fact: Because Cypress Mountain operates as a ski resort, parts of the Eagle Coaster track are dismantled during winter and then rebuilt at the beginning of the summer season.
How Long Is the Eagle Coaster?
According to the manufacturer’s website, the Eagle Coaster in West Vancouver is 1,719 meters (5,640 feet) long and has a total vertical descent of 279 meters (915 feet).
This makes it the longest alpine coaster in Canada!
With a total downhill ride time of about 3 minutes, depending on your speed (mountain coasters have a manual brake so you’re able to control this).
How Fast Is the Eagle Coaster?
The Eagle 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 engages 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.
Eagle 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 Eagle 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 Eagle Coaster Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Eagle Coaster was as follows (not inclusive of tax):
| Ticket | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Single ride | 34 |
| Two rides | 52 |
The ticket price includes the chair lift rid up to the top.
The lift ride to the starting point, which can accommodate up to four people, is quick but it’s a great opportunity to take in the incredible views.
Tickets can be pre-booked online by visiting the Cypress Mountain official website. This is something we recommend as the tickets do sell out.
Eagle Coaster Operating Hours
The Eagle Coaster will open for the 2023 summer season on June 16, 2023.
We’ll provide further information on operating days and hours as soon as they are available.
Eagle Coaster Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are some rider and passenger requirements that are put in place for your safety:
- All dates and hours of operation are subject to weather conditions or logistics issues. Cypress Mountain reserve the right to close the Eagle Coaster due to inclement weather or conditions that may affect the operations of the Mountain Coaster.
- To ride alone you must be 8 years or older and 4’1” or taller.
- The maximum weight capacity per cart is 118kg (260 lbs).
- Lift operations, hours and reservations are subject to change without notice.
- Minimum of 16 years of age to ride with a passenger in the cart.
- Passengers must be a minimum age of 3 and up to 7 and are required to ride the coaster with an adult. Minimum of 96cm (3′ 2″) tall. The passenger must be no taller than the driver’s shoulders.
- Riders must have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to safely load, ride and unload the coaster.
- The use of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.
- The coaster is not recommended for pregnant women and those with pre-existing neck or back injuries.
- Obey attendants at all times.
The full list can be found on the Cypress Mountain website here.
Eagle Coaster – How To Get There
The Eagle Coaster is located at the Cypress Mountain Resort on the north shore of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Address: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver BC
There is lots of free parking on Cypress Mountain.
When you arrive, look out for the Eagle Coasters signs which direct you to the main building.
Tips and Advice
Leave large bags and backpacks in a secure spot while riding the coaster. There is open storage available at the bottom of the lift for any loose items you don’t want to take on your ride.
There are no restrooms at the top of the lift where the coaster begins. Make sure you use the facilities inside the Cypress Creek Lodge before your ride. This is especially important if it is busy and there is a long wait time.
Be prepared for long wait times. You can expect anything from a 10-minute to 45-minute wait at the top of the chairlift depending on how busy the ride is. There isn’t much shade at the top so on sunny days make sure you take sunscreen and a hat.
Don’t take loose items on the ride. We recommend you put your loose items such as hats, sunglasses and phones away. Due to the speed and bumpy sections of the ride, there is a good chance that you’ll lose or drop these on the way down.
Do not stop on the track. There are people coming down behind you at 40 kp/h and this could result in a collision and possible injury. If you want to take photos of the view then make sure you take them on the chairlift or at the top.
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.
