Vail Resorts is home to the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, a gravity-powered mountain coaster that the whole family can enjoy.
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 Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, including insider tips and advice. Keep reading to find out more!
How long is the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster?
Reaching speeds of up to 25mp/h (40km/h), the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster is approximately 3,400 feet (1,036m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple 360-degree loops, twists and turns as it winds its way through the trees and down the mountain.
The total ride time (including a cable-pulled ascent at the end) is about 7 minutes.
The entire experience is made up of two parts. Riders leave the loading station and immediately descend down the mountain. The coaster follows the mountain’s natural contours while riders enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings.
The downhill section is about 2 minutes depending on your speed. Mountain coasters have a manual brake so you’re able to control this.
At the bottom, the cart and riders are taken back to the starting point via a cable-pulled ascent. This is the opposite of most mountain coasters where riders are first pulled to the top of a mountain before starting the downhill section.
The total ride time back to the starting point is 5 minutes.
Our advice: If you’re planning on riding the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster we highly recommend going early in the day as the popularity of the ride combined with the low capacity can result in long waiting times.
How fast is the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster?
The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
The mountain coaster rides on a dual track that is elevated slightly above the ground. Because of this close proximity, you’ll feel like you’re going much faster!
But fear not, 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.
The manual brake is a handle located on either side of the driver. You pull back on it to engage the brake and push it forward to accelerate.
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 are Mountain Coasters?
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, allowing 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.
Wiegand Sports GmbH, the inventor of the mountain coaster and leading manufacturer with over 270 installations around the world, installed this mountain coaster. With this much experience, you know that you’re in good hands.
Forest Flyer Mountain 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 Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster.
This is a video of the complete ride, including the cable-pulled ascent at the end.
How much does the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster cost?
Tickets for the 2022 summer season are available. Prices to ride the mountain coaster are as follows:
| Ticket | Price (Online) |
|---|---|
| Single rider (54″+) – 1 Ride | $32 |
| Single (54″+) – 2 Rides | $48 |
| Driver (54″ +) & Passenger (under 54″) – 1 Ride | $46 |
| Driver (54″ +) & Passenger (under 54″) – 2 Rides | $63 |
Tickets can be purchased online and redeemed at the Lionshead or Vail Village ticket office.
Tickets are also available for purchase directly from the Lionshead or Vail Village ticket office.
One important thing to note is that the mountain coaster is located at Vail’s Epic Discovery.
This means that if you’re not an Epic Pass holder you will also need to purchase a Scenic Gondola Ticket (Eagle Bahn Gondola) to get to the starting point of the ride.
Ticket prices for the Scenic Gondola Ride (Eagle Bahn Gondola) are as follows:
| Ticket | Price (Online) |
|---|---|
| Adult (Ages 13 – 64) | $50 |
| Adult + Free Child (Ages 13 – 64) | $50 |
| Child (Ages 5 – 12) | $32 |
| Senior (Ages 65+) | $42 |
| Senior (Ages 65+) + Free Child | $42 |
| Military (Active / Retired) | $42 |
| Military (Active / Retired) + Free Child | $42 |
Height and Age Restrictions
The key height and age restrictions to ride the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster are listed below:
- The minimum age to ride as a passenger is 3 years old.
- Passengers must be between 38″ (97cm) – 54″ (137cm).
- Passengers must be accompanied by someone 16+ years old.
- The minimum age for single riders is 16+ years old and the rider must be at least 54″ (137cm) tall.
- The maximum weight per cart is 330 lbs (150kg).
- This ride is not suitable for pregnant women.
- Riders must wear securely enclosed footwear.
Contact Information and Website
Contact information: All contact information for Vail can be found here.
Website: To access the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster website click here.
Operating hours: Open daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm during summer. The mountain coaster will open for the summer 2022 season on June 17th.
The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster does not operate during winter.
Map: Tickets to the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster can be found at the Lionheads or Vail Village ticket office. To get there take a look at the map below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vail have an alpine coaster?
The Forest Flyer is Vail’s own mountain coaster.
Reaching speeds of up to 35mp/h (40km/h), this mountain coaster is approximately 3,400 feet (1,036m) in length and offers an exhilarating ride for the whole family. This is a ride not to be missed!
Where is the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster?
The mountain coaster is located at the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado.
Does Vail have an alpine slide?
Unfortunately, Vail does not have an alpine slide.
However, it does have an even better alternative in the form of an alpine coaster known as the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster.
Before you go..
The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster is just one of 7 mountain coasters in Colorado.
If you’re looking for another Colorado mountain coaster to ride then make sure you check out the following article we wrote: 8 Colorado Mountain Coasters You Must Try
