The Magic Mountain Recreation Area at Big Bear Lake is home to the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster.
A gravity-powered mountain coaster, this is the first and only mountain coaster in the state of California.
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 riding the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
How long is the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster?
Reaching a speed of up to 25mp/h (40 kp/h), the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster is 2,854 ft (870m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride down the mountain.
The ride includes sweeping views of Big Bear’s scenery with multiple 360-degree loops, twists and turns.
The total downhill ride time is about 2 minutes long, depending on your speed.
That’s a pretty impressive descent so this is a ride you do not want to miss!
Mountain coasters are fitted with a manual brake so the speed of the ride is something that you’re in control of.
You can expect each ride to last about 5 minutes. This includes a 3-minute cable-pulled ascent to the top.
How fast is the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster?
The Mineshaft Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
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.
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 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 essentially 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 fantastic activity that the whole family can enjoy. However, given the nature of this ride, there are age and height restrictions that apply, these have been detailed below.
A great feature of mountain coasters is that they offer the option of two seats. This is great for parents with children too young to go on the ride alone.
In addition, mountain coasters are equipped with a manual brake which enables riders to adjust the speed of their descent.
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.
Another great feature of alpine coasters is that no prior experience or training is necessary. You can just jump in and enjoy the ride.
Mineshaft Mountain Coaster Video
To give you a sense of what you can expect on this ride we’ve included a video below. This video gives the full-ride experience from start to finish.
One thing you’ll notice in the video is that the surrounding area is covered in snow. This mountain coaster operates all year round!
How Much Does the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the mountain coaster at Big Bear is as follows:
| Ride | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Ride (54″ and taller) | $20 |
| Child (38″ – 54″ tall) | $10 |
Double riding is permitted as long as the combined weight does not exceed the maximum – 370 lbs in dry conditions and 325 lbs in wet conditions.
Children must be at least 3 years of age and must ride with an adult 18 years or older.
Rider Requirements
The key height and age restrictions to ride the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster are listed below:
- Children must be at least 3 years old.
- The minimum height for single riders is 54″ (137cm).
- If there are two people riding together, the person driving the cart must be at least 18 years or older.
- Two people are allowed in the cart.
- The combined weight of the riders can’t exceed 375 lbs (167kg) and dry conditions and 330 lbs (147kg) in wet conditions.
Where is the Mineshaft Mountain Coaster?
The mountain coaster is located at the Magic Mountain Recreation Area at Big Bear Lake.
Directions to the mountain coaster can be found below.
Operating Hours
The Mineshaft Mountain Coaster is open all year round (weather dependent).
Operating hours are as follows:
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m |
| Friday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m |
| Sunday | 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m |
Contact Details and Other Information
If you’re looking for additional details or need to contact information then you can find all the relevant information below.
Website
The Mineshaft Mountain Coaster website can be found here.
Email
info@alpineslidebigbear.com
Phone
909-866-4626
Before you go..
One ride you’ll not want to miss out on at Magic Mountain is the Magic Mountain Alpine Slide. The only alpine slide in the state of California, this is another great activity on offer that the whole family can enjoy!
