Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area offers visitors a unique and thrilling experience with their Ski Mountain Coaster.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for an adrenaline rush or just someone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains in a unique way, the Ski Mountain Coaster is an experience you won’t want to miss.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this ride then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we take a closer look at what makes the Ski Mountain Coaster a must-try attraction for visitors to Gatlinburg.
So keep reading to find out more!
Contents
- Ski Mountain Coaster – What To Expect
- How Long is the Ski Mountain Coaster?
- How Fast Does the Ski Mountain Coaster Go?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Ski Mountain Coaster Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and How To Get There
Ski Mountain Coaster – What To Expect
The entire Ski Mountain Coaster experience is made up of two parts.
You leave the loading station near the Snow Tubing Park and enjoy a 1,000 ft. tree-covered and relaxing cable-pulled ascent to the top of the mountain.
You are able to enjoy the beautiful scenery while watching your fellow riders descend down the mountain.
As soon as the rider reaches the top, the cart is released from the cable system and gravity takes over.
This is when the fun begins!
For the next 2,750 feet, the rider enjoys the exhilarating speed as the coaster turns, dips and corkscrews its way back to the starting point.
The cart takes 3:30 to reach the top of the mountain and 1:40 to reach the bottom (if you don’t use the brakes).
It is worth noting that this mountain coaster operates all year round.
Rain, snow and sunshine! Each season provides a completely different ride experience.
How Long is the Ski Mountain Coaster?
The Ski Mountain Coaster is 3,750 feet (1,143m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple 360-degree loops, twists and turns as it winds its way through the forest and down the mountain.
The total ride time (including the cable-pulled ascent) is approximately 5 minutes.
How Fast Does the Ski Mountain Coaster Go?
The Ski Mountain Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 25 mp/h (40 km/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 alpine coaster is fitted with 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.
Ski Mountain Coaster Video
One of the great things about alpine 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 Ski 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 Ski Mountain Coaster Cost?
In order to ride the Ski Mountain Coaster you will need to purchase an Ober Mountain Wristband.
This wristband gives you unlimited use of the Aerial Tramway and all Activities, including the mountain coaster, on the mountain.
The wristband excludes mountain biking, snow sports or offsite activities e.g. Whiteriver Rafting and Ziplining).
At the time of writing, the cost for an Ober Mountain Wristband was as follows:
| Ride | Price |
|---|---|
| Ages 5 – 59 | $49 |
| Ages 60+ (in person only) | $39 |
Children between the age of 3 and 4 ride free with a paying adult.
This is a good deal compared to almost all other mountain coasters where passengers are required to pay.
Mountain Coaster Operating Hours
At the time of writing the Ski Mountain Coaster operating hours were as follows:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Sunday | 10:00 am – 9:00 pm |
Operating hours are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances.
The latest operating hours can be found on the official website here.
Ski Mountain Coaster Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are some rider and passenger requirements that are put in place for your safety:
- Children must be at least 3 years old and 36″ (92cm) tall.
- The minimum age for single riders is 9 years or older and the rider must be at least 52″ (132cm) tall.
- Children under 9 must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older.
- If there are two people riding together, the minimum height for the passenger is 36″ (92cm) and the person driving the cart must be at least 52″ (132cm) and 18 years or older.
- The maximum weight per cart is 330 lbs (150 kg).
- The ride is not safe for pregnant women.
Location and How To Get There
You will find the Ski Mountain Coaster at the Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area.
Address: Adventure Park & Ski Area, 1001 Parkway Suite 2, Gatlinburg TN, 37738
Directions to the Ski Mountain Coaster can be found on the map below:
Phone: 865-436-5423
Website: To access the Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area website click here.
Before You Go
When it comes to mountain and alpine coasters, Tennessee has some of the best on offer in the USA.
With a total of nine mountain and alpine coasters (and there seems to be a new one added every few years) on offer, you really are spoilt for choice.
So if you live in the area or are planning a visit then make sure you check out our guide to Tennessee’s Alpine and Mountain Coasters.