If you’re looking for your next outdoor adventure then we can’t think of a more exciting family-friendly ride than the Railrider Mountain Coaster.
This mountain coaster, located at the Golden Skybridge, is a new addition for the 2023 season and is just one of the many activities on offer for you to try out.
It also happens to be the first of its kind in Western Canada and is the longest mountain coaster in Canada (a title previously held by the Eagle Coaster).
So if you’re looking for more information on the Railrider 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
- Railrider Mountain Coaster – What to Expect
- How Long is the Railrider Mountain Coaster?
- How Fast is the Railrider Mountain Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and How to Get There
Railrider Mountain Coaster – What To Expect
The Railrider Mountain Coaster is an exciting new addition to mountain coaster rides available in Canada.
If you’ve been on a Canadian mountain coaster before then you’ve likely experienced a mountain coaster that uses a monorail system.
The Railrider Mountain Coaster, however, runs on a dual-track which is the same system used by almost all mountain coasters in the United States.
This Railrider Mountain Coaster is located in one of the most stunning mountain locations and adds to an already wide range of activities available at the Golden Skybridge.
The ride itself starts with a cable-pulled ascent, taking riders 1,180 feet up the canyon to the start of the downhill section.
From there the cart starts its 2,195-foot (669-meter) descent through an old-growth forest between Canada’s two highest suspension bridges.
The downhill ride reaches a speed of up to 40 km/h (25 mp/h) and includes a 360-degree loop and a 50-foot tunnel.
The combination of adrenaline rush and incredible scenery make this a one-of-a-kind ride and one that we’re sure you’ll be going back for more.
How Long is the Railrider Mountain Coaster?
The Railrider Mountain Coaster has a total length of 1,029 meters (3,375 feet). The downhill section of the ride is 669 meters (2,195 feet).
The mountain coaster has a total ride time of approx. 5 minutes, depending on your speed (mountain coasters have a manual brake so you’re able to control this).
The ride time also includes the cable-pull ascent.
How Fast is the Railrider Mountain Coaster?
The Railrider Mountain Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h (25 mp/h).
As a safety feature, this mountain coaster is fitted with centrifugal brakes and ultramodern eddy current brakes at the valley station.
There is 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.
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.
Railrider Mountain Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain coasters is that many people have filmed their ride experiences.
Below is a short, first-person view, of what you can expect on the Railrider Mountain Coaster.
If you’d prefer to watch the full experience then take a look at the video below.
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 Railrider Mountain Coaster Cost?
To ride the Railrider Mountain Coaster you’ll need to purchase an Adventure Pass or the Triple Track Pack.
Single-ride tickets are not available.
The Adventure Pass gives you access to the Golden Skybridge and the following rides and activities:
- Canyon Edge Challenge Course (a fun-for-all-ages ropes course)
- Sky Zipline (a 1,000 foot zipline)
- Axe Throwing
- Climbing Wall
- Railrider Mountain Coaster
It is important to note that there are age, weight and height restrictions for the Challenge Course, Sky Zipline and Railrider Mountain Coaster.
Make sure you take a look at those before you purchase an Adventure Pass ticket.
The Triple Track Pack includes general admission and three rides on the Railrider Mountain Coaster.
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Railrider Mountain Coaster was as follows:
| Ticket | CA$ |
|---|---|
| Adventure Pass (Adult) | $84 |
| Adventure Pass (Child) | $74 |
| Triple Track Pack (Adult) | $75 |
| Triple Track Pack (Childe) | $65 |
Tickets can be purchased online on the Golden Skybridge website.
We recommend this as tickets purchased online are 10% less and you can secure your spot in advance.
Railrider Mountain Coaster Operating Hours
The Railrider Mountain Coaster only operates during the summer season from mid-May to mid-October.
Opening hours vary during the season.
At the time of writing, the operating hours were as follows:
| Date | Opening Time |
|---|---|
| May 12 – June 23 | Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| June 24 – September 4 | Daily 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| September 5 – October 9 | Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
The latest operating hours can be found on the official website here.
Railrider 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:
- Participants must be at least 3 years old to ride
- Kids between the ages of 3 and 8 must be accompanied by an adult (16 years or older)
- Maximum combined weight per cart is 113 kgs (310 lbs)
- The minimum height for the driver is 132 cm (4′ 4″)
- The minimum height for passengers is 91 cm (3′)
Location and How To Get There
The Railrider Mountain Coaster is located in Golden in Southeast British Columbia.
Address: 503 Golden Donald Upper Rd, Golden, BC V0A 1H0
The ride is approximately 2 hours from Banff, 90 minutes from Revelstoke (the location of the Pipe Mountain Coaster), 1 hour from Lake Louis and 5 minutes from Golden.
Directions to the Railrider Mountain Coaster can also be found on the map below:
Before You Go..
If you’re a fan of mountain coasters then you’ll definitely want to take a look at our guide to Canada’s Mountain Coasters. Here you’ll find a complete guide to all the mountain and alpine coasters in Canada.
Only a 90-minute drive away is one of the most popular mountain coasters in Canada.
If you’re looking for another family-friendly activity then make sure you check out the Pipe Mountain Coaster (there are two mountain coasters to try out), located at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
