One of the most popular summer activities in Steamboat Springs is the Howler Alpine Slide.
What makes this ride such a great summer activity, is that it is suitable for almost everyone in the family. It is a ride that is definitely worth checking out!
If you’re interested in discovering more about this ride, you have come to the right place!
This guide features everything you need to know about the Howler Alpine Slide, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
Contents
- How Long is the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide?
- How Fast is the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide?
- How Much Does the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide Cost?
- Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide Video
- What is an Alpine Slide?
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Directions and Contact Details
- FAQ
How Long Is the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide?
The Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide is 2,400 feet (732m) long and takes about 1:45 to complete.
There is a dual-track system, with both tracks following the same set of twists, turns and dips.
The slides run parallel to each other so you can ride alongside family and friends.
How Fast Is the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide?
Alpine slides can reach a speed of up to 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
The alpine slide carts are fitted with a manual brake which allows riders to adjust the speed of their descent.
This is a great feature of alpine slides as it gives you full control of your ride experience.
Alpine slides are also fitted with an automatic braking system or speed restrictor that prevents the cart from going above a maximum speed.
This is done to ensure the safety of the riders.
How Much Does the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide was as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Adult Ride (age 14+) | $20 |
| Youth (13 and under) + Military Discount | $17 |
| Child Ride-Along* | $10 |
*Children under 48″ (122 cm) must ride with a paying adult. Children under the age of 2 are not permitted on the ride.
If you’re not doing the alpine slide, you can also purchase a scenic chair-lift ticket (round-trip) for $12 or a chair-lift ticket that includes your mountain bike for $20.
One thing to be aware of is that you cannot purchase tickets online. You will need to purchase them on-site.
For more information about the latest ticket prices and the online waiver (compulsory for all riders) which can be signed prior to riding you can visit the website here.
Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide Video
One of the great things about alpine slides 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 Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide.
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!
What is an Alpine Slide?
One way to think of alpine slides is that they are a summer version of the bobsled.
But unlike the bobsleds, an alpine slide is a smooth continuous track made of fibreglass, concrete or stainless steel and does not need ice to operate.
Like alpine coasters, alpine slides are installed in mountainous areas and are a popular activity in ski resorts.
These are gravity-powered rides so they use the natural contours of these areas to operate.
How Does an Alpine Slide Work?
Riders are transported down the alpine slide track in one or two-person carts.
The carts are fitted with a manual brake, positioned between the rider’s legs, that give riders full control of their speed and experience.
The photo below is an example of an alpine slide cart. Riders sit in the cart with their legs facing forward.
The lever in the middle with the red grip is the brake. You pull back on this lever to engage the brake and push forward to release it.
Alpine Slide Saftey
Safety is an important feature of alpine slides and technology improvements over the years have certainly increased rider safety.
However, as with any thrill ride of this nature, there are always risks involved.
Alpine slides can reach a speed of up to 25 mp/h (40 km/h) and almost all alpine slide accidents happen because riders are going too fast.
So if it’s your first time riding an alpine slide it’s important to become familiar with the cart and the manual brake before flying down the mountain.
Overall, alpine slides are a thrilling experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. They are not difficult to operate and no prior experience or training is necessary.
With some basic instructions, you can jump in and enjoy the ride!
Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide Operating Hours
The Steamboat Howler Alpine slide is only open during the summer season.
The season starts at the end of May and finishes in mid-September.
Operating hours are typically Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
You can find the latest information on the website here.
Note that the Howler Alpine Slide is scheduled to open on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023.
Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are a few rider requirements to be aware of:
- Children under 48″ (120cm) must ride with a paying adult.
- Children under the age of 2 are not permitted on the slide.
- All alpine slide riders are required to complete a Release of Liability.
You can find out more information about the alpine slide on the website here.
Directions and Contact Details
The alpine slide is located at 645 Howelsen Parkway in downtown Steamboat Springs.
If you are driving, turn off Lincoln Ave in downtown Steamboat on 5th Street to cross the Yampa River. Turn right after the river and railroad tracks on Howelsen Parkway. Turn left at the stop sign.
You can find the location on the map below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Steamboat have an alpine slide?
Yes – Steamboat is home to the Howler Alpine Slide, one of the most popular summer activities in the area and a great family-friendly activity.
Before You Go..
The Steamboat Howler Alpine Slide is one of four alpine slides in the state of Colorado.
If you want to experience the thrill of a different alpine slide, then check out our guide to Colorado’s Alpine Slides.
And if you enjoy alpine slides, then you’ll definitely want to take a ride on a mountain coaster.
Colorado happens to have some of the best mountain and alpine coasters in the US!
Make sure you head over to our guide to Colorado’s Alpine and Mountain Coasters for more information.
