Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe is the venue for the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster.
A gravity-powered mountain coaster constructed in 2016, this is one of the many activities on offer at the Heavenly Mountain Resort.
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 riding the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
Contents
- Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster
- How Long is the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster?
- What Are Mountain Coasters?
- Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Contact and Other Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster
It should come as no surprise that we think mountain coasters are one of the best activities that you can do.
These rides combine the thrill of a high-speed roller coaster with some of the most beautiful locations in the world.
Located at the Heavenly Mountain Resort and accessed via the Heavenly Gondola, the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster is the only mountain coaster in South Lake Tahoe.
A popular attraction in summer, this ride operates all year round providing riders with a unique experience depending on the season.
If you go ride up the mountain on the gondola, you have to ride the alpine coaster! It’s so much fun. It’s not scary. You can control the speed and it’s pretty smooth. Highly recommended to make your experience more memorable!
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How Long is the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster?
Reaching a speed of up to 27mp/h (40km/h), the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster is 3,400 feet (1,036m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple 360-degree loops, twists and turns.
Due to its location, this ride offers some incredible views of the lake as it flies past trees and natural rock formations on its way down the mountain.
The total ride time on this mountain coaster is approximately 5 minutes. This includes the cable-pulled ascent to the top before starting the downhill section.
The downhill section of the ride lasts about 90 seconds.
Mountain coasters are fitted with a manual brake, allowing riders to control the speed of their descent.
What Are Mountain Coasters?
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 some age and height restrictions that apply.
A great feature of mountain coasters is that they offer the option of two seats. This is great for parents with children that are too young to go on the ride alone.
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.
Another great feature of mountain coasters is that no prior experience or training is necessary. You can just jump in and enjoy the ride.
Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain and alpine coasters is that a lot of people have filmed their experiences.
These videos give you a good sense of what you can expect when you go on one of these rides.
The video below gives you a first-person view of what you can expect from start to finish on the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster.
Just be aware that the wide-angle lens can be a bit deceiving. The ride may appear slow on camera but it is much faster in real life.
It really is the perfect combination of an adrenaline rush and nature. If you happen to be in the area then this is an activity to add to your “to-do list”.
Or how about this one..in winter!
Is the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster in Heavenly Worth It?
The Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster is a safe, worthwhile experience that the whole family can enjoy.
Part of what makes the experience so enjoyable is that the cart is fitted with a manual brake which allows riders to control the speed of their descent.
Although it is not a stomach-churning thrill ride, the ability to control your experience makes it a ride that can be enjoyed by all ages.
In addition to this, the views of Lake Tahoe from the top are also incredible and are another reason why taking a ride on this coaster is definitely worth it.
In order to get the best experience, we recommend going early in the morning to avoid potentially long wait times.
How Much Does the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster Cost?
The cost for one ride on the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster is provided below.
The mountain coaster is located at the Heavenly Mountain Resort so you’ll need to catch the Heavenly Gondola to access it.
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster (including the gondola ride) was as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (includes Gondola ticket) | $93.00 |
| Senior/Teen (includes Gondola ticket) | $80.00 |
| Child (includes Gondola ticket) | $63.00 |
Note: Only credit cards are accepted to purchase the tickets above.
Operating Hours
The Heavenly Coaster is open during the summer season.
The coaster is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm.
However, due to the historical snowfall during the recent winter season, there is no confirmed opening date for 2023.
The latest information on the operating hours can be found on the official Heavenly website here.
Rider Requirements
The key height and age restrictions to participate in this ride are listed below:
- Children must be at least 3 years old and 38″ (96cm) tall.
- The minimum height for single riders is 54″ (137cm).
- If there are two people riding together, the minimum height for the passenger is 38″ (96cm) and the driver must be at least 54″ (137cm) and 16 years or older.
- The maximum weight per cart is 375 lbs (170kg).
Contact Information and Other Information
Website: To access the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster website click here.
Map: The location for the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster is provided in the map below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Heavenly Mountain Coaster?
The Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster at the Heavenly ski resort in Lake Tahoe is 3,400 feet (1,036m) in length.
It has a total ride time of approximately 5 minutes. This includes the cable-pulled ascent to the top.
The downhill section is about 90 seconds depending on how fast you go.
Mountain coasters have a manual brake which allows riders to adjust the speed of their ride. If you use the brake a lot, then the downhill section will be a bit slower.
Is the Heavenly Coaster open?
The Heavenly Coaster is open during the summer season.
Due to the historical snowfall during the recent winter season, there is no confirmed opening date for 2023.
The coaster is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm.
How much is the Lake Tahoe roller coaster?
Tickets to ride the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster in Lake Tahoe range from $63.00 for children to $93.00 for adults.
Ticket prices include the gondola ride to the starting point.
Is the Ridge Rider coaster open?
The Ridge Rider coaster is open during the summer season.
The coaster is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm.
Due to the historical snowfall during the recent winter season, there is no confirmed opening date for 2023.
