One of the most popular activities at Magic Mountain is the Magic Mountain alpine slide.
This is a fantastic activity that is suitable for almost everyone in the family and a ride that is definitely worth checking out!
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 the Magic Mountain alpine slide, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
Magic Mountain Alpine Slide – Big Bear Lake
The Magic Mountain alpine slide is the only alpine slide in California. This makes it a pretty unique experience if you’re visiting.
Your ticket includes a scenic chairlift ride to the start, with views of the surrounding mountains and Big Bear Lake.
You can also get a good overhead view of the course from the chairlift.
There are two tracks which run parallel to each other. The right lane is for first-time riders and for people who don’t feel like going too fast.
The left lane is for people who want to see just how fast they can go!
While both tracks are just as fast, you have a higher chance of running into slower traffic if you take the track on the right.
About halfway down you’ll reach what we consider the best part of the track. It’s a long straight section with two good-sized dips in it. It’s in this section of the course where you’ll be able to pick up a lot of speed.
One thing to be aware of is that at high speeds the carts take a little while to slow down. Keep this in mind if you’re approaching someone ahead of you.
As you enter the final turns you’ll see a large orange banner at the bottom telling you to slow down – you’ll know you’re at the end of your ride when you see this.
But if you’re anything like us, you’ll definitely want at least one more ride on this alpine slide!
How Long is the Magic Mountain Alpine Slide?
The Magic Mountain alpine slide is a quarter-mile long (400m) and takes about 1:45 to complete.
There is a dual-track system at Magic Mountain, 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.
As mentioned above, the right track is for first-timers and people who don’t want to go as fast as possible.
How Fast is the Magic Mountain 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 Magic Mountain Alpine Slide Cost?
At the time of writing, the price to ride the Magic Mountain alpine slide is as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ride | $9 |
| 5 Rides | $40 |
Tickets cannot be purchased online or reserved in advance. You will need to purchase them when you arrive.
Magic Mountain 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 Magic Mountain 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!
Magic Mountain Alpine Slide Operating Hours
The Magic Mountain alpine slides are open all year round and have different operating hours depending on the season.
Summer
Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fall
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Winter
Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spring
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are a few rider requirements to be aware of:
- Riders must be at least 36″ (92 cm) tall to ride.
- Children 36″ (92cm) to 48″ (120cm) ride with an adult 18 years or older (each rider requires a ticket).
- All alpine slide riders are required to complete a Release of Liability.
You can find out more information about the alpine slide on the Magic Mountain website here.
Location and Contact Details
The alpine slide is located at the Magic Mountain Recreation Area at Big Bear Lake.
The address is 800 Wildrose Lane, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Directions to the alpine slide can be found below.
If you need any additional information we suggest contacting the Magic Mountain Resort at (909) 866-4626 or info@alpineslidebigbear.com
Before You Go..
If you enjoyed the alpine slide at Magic Mountain then make sure to check out the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster – another exhilarating ride for the whole family.
