The Mt. Hood Ski Bowl alpine slide is the only alpine slide in Oregon and one of the most popular summer attractions at the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Resort.
This thrilling ride provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the stunning scenery of the Pacific Northwest while zooming down a winding alpine track.
This alpine slide is one of our favorite activities for families and thrill-seekers alike.
In this article, we provide all the information you need to know about the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide and why it is a must-do activity for all summer visitors.
Contents
- Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide
- How Long is the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide?
- How Fast is the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide?
- What is an Alpine Slide?
- Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Directions
- FAQs
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide
The Ski Bowl Alpine Slide starts with a leisurely ride on the Scenic Sky Chairs.
From here you make your way to the start of the alpine slides.
After getting into your cart and receiving a brief safety instruction you’ll start your journey down one of the two tracks on offer.
The alpine slide tracks run parallel to each other, which means you can ride alongside family and friends.
How Long is the Ski Bowl Alpine Slide?
The Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Alpine Slide is 2,640 feet (804 meters) long and has a total vertical drop of 350 feet (106 meters).
You can expect the ride to take about 2 minutes, depending on your speed.
It’s worth noting that the speed of your descent is completely under your control.
Alpine slides are fitted with a manual brake, located between your legs, which you can use to adjust your speed as you make your way down the mountain.
How Fast is the Ski Bowl Alpine Slide?
The Ski Bowl Alpine Slide can reach a maximum speed of up to 37 mp/h (60 km/h). Most people can expect a speed of between 15 – 20 mp/h (25 – 32 km/h).
The reason for the different speeds is that alpine slides 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.
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!
Ski Bowl 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 Ski Bowl 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!
How Much Does the Ski Bowl Alpine Slide Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Ski Bowl Alpine Slide was as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ticket (2-rides) | $25 |
The alpine slide is one of many activities on offer at Mt. Hood during the summer season.
An alternative option is to purchase one of the day passes, which gives you access to these activities including the alpine slide.
You can purchase the Adrenaline Pass for $79 which gives you unlimited rides on the alpine slide.
Children under 48″ and at 3 years old ride for free with a paying adult ticket.
We suggest purchasing tickets online in advance.
During busy periods you can expect tickets to sell out so this ensures you secure your spot on the ride.
You also get a better price – tickets and passes purchased at the resort cost 15% more.
Ski Bowl Alpine Slide Operating Hours
The Ski Bowl Alpine Slide only operates during the summer season from mid-June to September.
The alpine slide is open 6 days a week from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Note that the alpine slide is subject to close in adverse weather conditions and doesn’t operate in the rain.
Ski Bowl Alpine Slide Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are some rider requirements to use the alpine slide:
- Riders must be a minimum of 48″ (122cm) tall to ride alone
- The minim age to go on the ride is 3 years
- Children under 48″ (122cm) and at least 3 years old must ride with an adult. Adults with a passenger must be able to fully operate the brake lever
Children under 48″ and at 3 years old ride for free with a paying adult ticket.
Adults are 18 years or older.
A complimentary child wristband for the alpine slide (under 48″) must be obtained from Guest Services.
Ski Bowl Alpine Slide Directions
Ski Bowl is located off Highway 26 just west (within walking distance) of Government Camp and only 1 hour and 10 minutes from Portland, Oregon.
The Ski Bowl Alpine Slide forms part of Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Resort’s Summer Action Park.
Address: 87000 US-26, Government Camp, OR 97028
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the alpine slide in Oregon?
The Ski Bowl Alpine Slide in Oregon costs $25 for two rides.
You can also purchase an Adrenaline Pass which gives you unlimited rides on the alpine slide.
