The Whitefish alpine slide is the only alpine slide in Montana and one of the most popular summer attractions at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.
This thrilling ride provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the resort’s incredible views while zooming down the winding alpine slide tracks.
The 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 Whitefish Alpine Slide and why it is a must-do activity for all summer visitors.
Contents
- Whitefish Alpine Slide
- How Fast is the Whitefish Alpine Slide?
- What is an Alpine Slide?
- Whitefish Alpine Slide Video
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and Directions
- FAQs
Whitefish Alpine Slide
Your journey begins at Base Lodge with a ride up Chair 6 to the starting point.
The ride on Chair 6 is included in the price of your ticket so you don’t need to pay extra for this.
From here you head over to the alpine slide waiting area. If it’s a busy day you can expect to wait in a queue here.
When it’s your turn you’ll receive a quick safety briefing and instructions on how to ride the cart if it is your first time.
Then it is time to begin your journey down the mountain enjoying the dips and turns while controlling the speed with a hand brake.
Interesting fact: The Whitefish Alpine Slide had a complete redesign in 2019. A new track was added (there are now two tracks that run parallel to each other) with more carts to reduce the wait times at the top.
How Fast is the Whitefish Alpine Slide?
The Whitefish 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!
Whitefish 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 Whitefish 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 Whitefish Alpine Slide Cost?
At the time of writing, the cost to ride on the Whitefish Alpine Slide is as follows:
| Rider | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Ride | $12 |
| 2 Rides | $22 |
| 4 Rides | $36 |
| 25 Rides | $195 |
Operating Hours
The Whitefish Alpine Slide only operates during the summer season. This is because tracks are covered in snow during winter.
The summer season starts in May and ends in September.
The last ride on the alpine slide is at 6:00 pm.
Ticket sales may be stopped prior to 6:00 pm depending on the number of people in the line.
Rider Requirements
As with any ride of this nature, there are some rider requirements to use the alpine slide:
- Children under 36″ are not allowed to ride, even with an adult.
- Riders must be 38″ (122 cm) tall to ride alone.
- Children between 36″ – 47″ ride for free with a paying adult (over 18 years old).
- The maximum weight per cart is 300 lbs.
- The alpine slide does not operate in the rain.
- Tickets are transferable to anyone in your group.
Location and Directions
The Whitefish Alpine Slide is located at the Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana.
Address: 1015 Glades Drive Whitefish, MT 59937
Directions to the alpine slide can be found on the map below:
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long is the Whitefish Alpine Slide?
The Whitefish Alpine Slide takes about 90 seconds to complete from top to bottom depending on the speed of your descent.
