Snowbird ski resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon, located just 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, is where you’ll find the Snowbird Alpine Slide.
A dual-track slide with twists, turns and tunnels, this is a fantastic summer activity for the whole family.
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 these alpine slides, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
How much does the Snowbird Alpine Slide cost?
The SnowBird Alpine Slide is only open during the summer season.
In order to access the alpine slide, you’ll need to buy an All-Day Activity Pass.
This pass gives you access to a number of summer activities, including the Snowbird Mountain Coaster.
Both rides are family-friendly and a lot of fun. We highly recommend you give them both a try!
Pricing for the All-Day Activity Pass is as follows:
| Pass | Off-Peak | Peak* |
|---|---|---|
| All-Day Activity Pass (42″+) | $52 | $55 |
| All-Day Activity Pass (Under 42″) | $38 | $40 |
Peak Pricing: July – October, Friday – Sunday & Labor Day
All pricing is tax-exclusive.
How long is the Snow Bird Alpine Slide?
Starting at the top of the Chickadee Lift and finishing at the bottom of the lift next to the tram, the Snowbird alpine slide is 1,300 feet (396 meters) long and takes just over 1 minute to complete.
This is one of the shorter alpine slides we’ve reviewed and while it might lack some length it certainly makes up for that with speed.
Do not underestimate the speed of this alpine slide, particularly when going through the short turns and drops.
How fast is the Snowbird Alpine Slide?
The Snowbird alpine slide can reach a speed of up to 25 mp/h (40 km/h).
The alpine slide carts 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 fiberglass, concrete or stainless-stell 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 require the natural contours of these areas to operate.
Riders are transported down an alpine slide 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.
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.
Snowbird 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 Snowbird Alpine Slide.
One thing to be aware of though is the 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.
Snowbird Alpine Slide Review
The Snowbird Alpine slide can only accommodate a small number of riders at one time. Wait times can be long if there are more than 20 people in the line.
One way to avoid this, make sure you get to the alpine slide early and be one of the first to ride. Wait time can get up to 20 minutes long if you ride later in the day.
Is the Snowbird Alpine Slide open in Winter?
Unfortunately, the Snowbird alpine slide is only open during the summer season.
This is because alpine slides, which are not elevated above the ground, are covered in snow during winter.
Where is the SnowBird Alpine Slide?
The Snowbird alpine slide is located at the Snowbird Mountain Resort in Utah.
The ride starts at the top of the Chickadee Lift and finishes at the bottom near the tram.
Take a look at the map below if you need help getting there.
Rider Requirements – Height, Age, and Other Restrictions
Given the nature of this ride, there are a few height and age restrictions to be aware of.
Riders need to be at least 7 years old to ride the alpine slide alone.
Children between the ages of 3-6 can enjoy this ride, but they must be accompanied by an adult (ages 16 and older).
Contact Details and Other Information
Website: The official website where you can buy tickets can be accessed here.
Operating hours: During the summer season, the alpine slide is open daily from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.
