Opened in 2005, the Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster was the first ride to be built at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and the first alpine coaster in Colorado!
If you’re interested in discovering more about this alpine coaster, then you have come to the right place.
We provide everything you need to know about the Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
How Long is the Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster?
The Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster is 3,400 feet long (1,036 meters) track that offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple twists, turns and 360-degree loops as it makes its way down the mountainside.
Unlike most of the alpine coasters in Colorado, this alpine coaster starts with the descent first. Almost as soon as you leave the loading station you begin your thrilling journey downhill!
The total downhill ride time is about 1:50 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.
At the end of the ride, the cart makes its way back up the mountain to the starting point. It’s a peaceful and relaxing ride with views of the surrounding mountains.
You can expect each ride to last about 6 minutes from start to finish.
How Fast is the Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster?
The Glenwood Caverns Alpine 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 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.
Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster Video
One of the great things about alpine 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 Glenwood Caverns Alpine 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 Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster Cost?
The Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster is included in the Winter Funday Pass.
This pass includes the Gondola and a number of other fun rides in addition to the alpine coaster. Tickets can be purchased online here.
The cost for a Winter Funday Pass is as follows:
| Rider | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Adult (age 13+) | $50 |
| Child (age 3 – 12) | $45 |
If you plan on visiting the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park regularly then the Annual Pass is something to consider.
You’ll need to visit the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at least three times during the year for the Annual Pass to make sense.
In addition to the other rides on offer, the Annual Pass gives you unlimited rides on the alpine coaster.
At the time of writing, the cost of the Glenwood Caverns Season Pass was as follows:
| Rider | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Adult | $139 |
| Child | $126 |
Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are a number of rider requirements and 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 38″ (97cm) tall and the minimum age to go on this ride is 3 years old.
Riders must be at least 56″ (142cm) tall to ride alone and anyone over 56″ tall must ride alone.
Riders between 38″ and 56″ tall (and at least 3 years old) must ride with an adult (16 years+).
The maximum (combined) weight per cart is 330 lbs kg (150 kg).
Riders are required to sign a waiver before participating in this ride. We recommend visiting the website here and downloading the waiver form in advance to save you time.
Alpine Coaster Operating Hours
One of the great things about this alpine coaster is that it operates in both the summer and winter seasons – not something that we can say about all alpine coasters in Colorado.
Summer is the more popular season for this ride so hours are limited during winter.
To confirm the latest operating hours we recommend checking the website before you arrive.
Where is the Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster?
The Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coasters is located at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Glenwood Caverns is located about 160 miles west of Denver, 60 miles west of Vail and only 40 miles from Aspen, Colorado.
Directions to the Glenwood Caverns can be found on the map below:
Contact and Other Information
If you need additional information about the alpine coaster then make sure you visit their website here.
On the website, you’ll be able to see the latest opening times, and ticket prices as well as the many other family-friendly activities on offer.
You can also contact the Glenwood Caverns Adventure by phone: (970) 945-4228
Further Reading
The Glenwood Caverns Alpine Coaster is one of many alpine and mountain coasters on offer in Colorado.
If you enjoyed this ride and you’re looking for inspiration then make sure you check out our article on the 8 Colorado Mountain Coasters You Must Try.
