The Purgatory Mountain Resort in Durango, Colorado is the location for the Inferno Mountain Coaster.
If you’re looking for more information on the Inferno Mountain 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.
Contents
- How Long is the Inferno Mountain Coaster?
- How Fast is the Inferno Mountain Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and How To Get There
How Long is the Inferno Mountain Coaster?
The Inferno Mountain Coaster is 4,000 ft (1,219m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride down the mountain.
With a total vertical drop of over 300 ft (91m), the track includes nine switchbacks, one 360-degree loop and multiple twists and turns.
Total ride time, including a cable-pulled ascent, is about 5 minutes.
Depending on your speed, the ride time from top to bottom is about 1:40.
How Fast is the Inferno Mountain Coaster?
The Inferno Mountain Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
As a safety feature, this mountain coaster is 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 25 mp/h (40 km/h) is too fast for you, you can slow the ride down to a speed that feels more comfortable.
The brake levers are located on either side of the cart. You pull them back to engage 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.
Inferno Mountain Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain 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 Inferno Mountain 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!
This video shows the full ride experience including the 3-minute ride to the top. If you’re only interested in the downhill section then skip to 3:30.
How Much Does the Inferno Mountain Coaster Cost?
The Inferno Mountain Coaster is included in the summer Activity Day Ticket (tickets can also be purchased excluding a ride on the coaster) on both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Riders are limited to one ride on the mountain coaster per session.
At the time of writing, the prices for an Activity Day Ticket were as follows:
| Ticket | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 day activity pass with Mountain Coaster (ages 8+) | $54 | $54 |
| 1/2 day activity pass without Mountain Coaster (ages 8+) | $40 | $40 |
| 1/2 day activity pass (ages 3 – 7) | $29 | $29 |
Tickets can be purchased on the official Purgatory Resort website.
The morning session runs from 10:00 am – 1:30 pm and the afternoon session from 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm.
Inferno Mountain Coaster Operating Hours
The Inferno Mountain Coaster operates in both summer and winter (weather and conditions dependent) providing one more reason to visit the Purgatory Resort any time of the year.
Summer Operating Hours
At the time of writing, the summer operating hours for the Inferno Mountain Coaster are as follows:
| Date | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| June 17 – August 13 | Daily | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| August 18 – October 8 | Fri – Sun | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Winter Operating Hours
In winter, the Inferno Mountain Coaster is open on weekends and holidays.
Winter operating hours are from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
It’s important to note that the winter operating hours are weather and conditions dependent.
We recommend contacting the resort (details below) to confirm if the mountain coaster is open.
Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are some rider requirements that have been put in place for your safety.
The key rider requirements are summarized below:
- The minimum height for single riders is 52″ (132cm).
- The minimum age for single riders is 9 years old.
- If there are two people riding together, the minimum height for the passenger is 36″ (91cm) and the driver must be at least 52″ (132cm) and 16 years or older.
- The maximum weight per cart is 330 lbs (150kg).
- Closed-toe footwear is recommended.
- All Inferno Mountain Coaster drivers and passengers are required to complete a Release of Liability.
Location and How to Get There
The Inferno Mountain Coaster is located at the Purgatory Mountain Resort in Durango Colorado.
The mountain coaster is located just north of the Twilight Lift 4 in the base area.
Address: 1 Skier Place, Durango, Colorado, 81301
Directions to the mountain coaster can also be found on the map below:
Website
The Purgatory Mountain Coaster website can be found here.
Phone
970-385-2168
Before You Go..
If you enjoy mountain coasters then you’ll definitely want to try out an alpine slide.
Fortunately, the Purgatory Resort offers both rides in summer. You can find more information in our guide to Purgatory’s Alpine Slide.
The Inferno Alpine Mountain Coaster also happens to be 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
