If you’re looking for your next outdoor adventure then we can’t think of a more exciting family-friendly ride than the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster.
This mountain coaster, located at the Ruidoso Winter Park in New Mexico, opened in May 2023 and is just one of the many activities on offer for you to try out.
If you’re looking for more information on the Screaming Eagle 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.
Table of Contents
- Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster – What To Expect
- How Long is the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster?
- How Fast is the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and How To Get There
Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster – What To Expect
This mountain coaster is an exciting addition to the activities on offer at the Rudisio Winter Park in New Mexico.
The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster happens to be the only mountain coaster in the state of New Mexico.
Mountain coasters are popular in areas like Colorado and Tennessee so it’s great to see them becoming more popular in other states.
The ride itself starts at the bottom of the mountain where you are loaded into the carts, which can take up to two passengers, and then heads up the mountain via a cable-pull ascent.
The uphill section takes about three and a half minutes to complete. It’s a long, slow journey to the top but a great opportunity to take in the views and watch your fellow riders fly down the mountain.
The mountain coaster “Screaming Eagle” was a family favorite. You are able to control your own speed with a max speed of 25 mph. The views alone will make a repeat rider out of anyone. It couldn’t truly be captured on video, you have to experience it in person!
As soon as you reach the top the cart takes a turn to the right and your downhill journey begins.
It doesn’t take long for you to build up some speed and before you know it you’ll be flying through the corners with a huge smile on your face as you make your way down the mountain.
The downhill section lasts about 90 seconds! As far as mountain coasters go, that is a very impressive downhill ride time.
The ride ends back at the loading station where we almost guarantee you’ll want to ride again.
In fact, if it’s your first time on a mountain coaster we always recommend two rides if time allows.
Use the first ride to familiarize yourself with the cart and track and then use the second ride to go as fast as you can!
How Long is the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster?
The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster is 5,100 feet (1,555 meters) long, making it the longest mountain coaster in New Mexico.
You can expect a total ride time of about 5-6 minutes depending on your speed. Note that the total ride time includes both the cable-pulled ascent to the top and the downhill section.
The downhill ride time is about 90 seconds depending on your speed (mountain coasters are fitted with a manual brake so you’re in control of this).
How Fast is the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster?
The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
As a safety feature, this mountain coaster has a speed restrictor that prevents the carts from going over the maximum speed.
It also has 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.
Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain coasters is that many 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 Screaming Eagle 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!
How Much Does the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster Cost?
At the time of writing the cost to ride the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster was as follows:
| # Rides | Age 3 -5 | Age 6 – 8 | Age 9+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ride | Free | $8 | $25 |
| 3 Rides | Free | $18 | $65 |
| 5 Rides | Free | $27 | $90 |
| 10 Rides | Free | $50 | $175 |
Tickets can be purchased online in advance by visiting the Ruidoso Winter Park website.
Something to be aware of when you purchased your ticket online is that you are not making a reservation for a specific time. There are a limited number of rides each day to better assist with capacity management.
However, at times there will still be a queue to get on the ride and for each ride you purchase, you will have to re-enter the queue.
To avoid long wait times we suggest going during off-peak hours, especially if you plan to ride the mountain coaster more than once (recommended).
Riders are required to sign a release of liability waiver.
Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster Operating Hours
At the time of writing, the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster was open from Thursday to Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
It’s worth noting that the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster operates based on weather and track conditions and all summer activities at Ruidoso’s Winter Park are weather permitting.
Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are some rider and passenger requirements that are in place for your safety:
- Riders must be 9 years or older and a minimum of 52″ tall to ride alone.
- Rider must be 3 years or older and a minimum of 36″ to go on the ride.
- Maximum of 2 riders per cart.
- If there are two people in the cart, the driver must be 16 years or older.
- The total combined weight of the cart must not exceed 350 lbs in dry conditions and 300 lbs in wet conditions.
Location and How To Get There
The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster is located at the Ruidoso Winter Park in New Mexico.
Address: 121 Ski Run Road, Alto, NM 88312
Directions to the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster can also be found on the map below:
