Zip World Fforest, located close to the iconic Snowdonia village of Betws-y-Coed, is where you’ll find the Fforest Coaster.
A gravity-powered alpine coaster that has been operating since 2017, this is the first and only alpine coaster in the United Kingdom and a wonderful activity for the whole family.
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 the Fforest Coaster, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
How Long Is the Fforest Coaster?
Reaching a speed of up to 25 mp/h (40km/h), the Fforest Coaster is 1,075 meters (3,527 feet) long and offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple twists and turns.
The ride starts with a 3:30 cable-pulled ascent to the top. From there the cart takes a turn to the left and the downhill section begins!
The total downhill ride time is just over 1 minute long, depending on your speed.
Alpine coasters are fitted with a manual brake so the speed of the ride is something that you’re in control of.
You can expect each ride to last about 6 minutes from start to finish. This includes both the up and down sections as well as the time it takes to get into and out of the cart.
How Fast Is the Fforest Coaster?
The Fforest Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
As a safety feature, alpine coasters are fitted with an automatic braking system that prevents the carts from going over the maximum speed.
In addition, this alpine 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 an Alpine Coaster?
If you’re unfamiliar with alpine coasters (also known as mountain 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.
Fforest Coaster Video
One of the great things about 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.
The video below gives you a first-person view of what you can expect from start to finish on the Fforest 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.
These rides really are the perfect combination of an adrenaline rush and nature.
If you happen to be in the area then this is an activity to add to your “to-do list”.
How Much Does the Fforest Coaster Cost?
One ticket on the Fforest Coaster gives you a total of 3 rides. These rides are not transferable between different people.
This is a great deal and a great way to experience the ride. With each ride, you’ll feel more confident and by the third ride, you might not even be using the brakes!
The ranges of prices to ride on this coaster are shown below with busier times, such as weekends, being more expensive.
| Rider | Price (£) |
|---|---|
| Single Rider (9 years+ and min. 1m tall) | £22 – £27 |
| Driver (9 years+ and min. 1m tall) and Child (3 – 8 years) | £32 – £37 |
| Group of 4 people (9 years+) | £70 – £87 |
| Photo and video | £8 |
We recommend purchasing your tickets online before arrival. You can book the day and time slot which means your waiting time is reduced.
To ensure that you don’t miss your ride, make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start.
During busy periods you can expect to queue up to 45 minutes before your adventure. To avoid long wait times we recommend either going during the week or early on weekends.
As you can see from the image below the busiest time for this ride is mid-day on a Saturday.
All participants are required to sign a waiver before going on the rides. This can be filled in online in advance.
Something to consider doing if you want to save time when you get there.
Fforest Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are a number of rider restrictions that you need to be aware of before riding. These restrictions are in place to ensure riders’ safety.
The minimum height for riders is 1 meter tall.
The minimum age to go on this ride is 3 years old.
The maximum (combined) weight per cart is 150 kg (330 lbs).
Children aged 3-8 must be accompanied by a driver (9 years or older and over 1m tall).
Children between 9-17 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. This adult does not have to ride in the same cart.
Own cameras are not permitted on this ride. There is however an option to purchase photos and HD videos taken by an onboard camera.
Where is the Fforest Coaster located?
The Fforest Coaster is located in a woodland setting nestled in the North Wales Conwy Valley, close to the iconic Snowdonia village of Betws-y-Coed.
Directions to the location can be found on the map below:
Fforest Coaster Operating Hours
The Fforest Coaster is one of the many activities on offer at ZipWorld Fforest.
The coaster operates year-round and is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Does the Fforest Coaster run in the rain?
One thing to be aware of is that the Fforest Coaster has been designed to operate in all weather conditions.
The carts can be fitted with transparent rain covers on wet days and because the carts are fixed to a track they can operate in slippery conditions.
The ride is also located in a forest, making it particularly well-sheltered from the wind.
