PARK CITY — There are, in Europe, more than 80 "Alpine Coasters." There are, here in the United States, just two.
The second of the long-distance thrill rides opened last week on the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort.
It is best explained, said Krista Parry, new marketing director for the resort, as "a Disneyland-like thrill ride in an alpine setting."
The first of the mountain coasters was built in Glenwood Springs, Colo. A third is scheduled to open sometime before winter in Jimine Peak, Mass.
The new ride is a big brother to Park City's Alpine Slide. It is more than a mile long — 6,000 feet — and consists of a series of steep descents and circular curves on a track cut through rugged mountain terrain.
The cars used are similar to those on the slide, except once they start down they are held in place by a rail as opposed to sliding freely in a U-shaped track.
The cars can hold one or two people. The lower age limit for young passengers is 3.
"What makes this ride so appealing is, like the slide, the passenger can control the speed. Meaning, they can choose not to brake and go as fast as they want, similar to a roller coaster, or go slower and take more of a scenic-type ride," said Parry.
Passengers are loaded at the base and are pulled up to the top of the run by a cable. "The ride up takes six minutes and is nice because you go straight up through the trees. You can relax and enjoy the ride up," she said.
Once at the top, gravity pulls the car down the banked track. The ride down can take a few minutes or longer, all at the driver's discretion.
"We found out that over in Europe they are extremely popular. People travel great distances to ride one of the coasters," Parry said.
"We decided to put in a coaster because we believe it will be a nice complement to our other summer activities."
Work on the coaster started in May.
Summer activities at the resort include four Alpine Slide tracks, four Zipline cables, children's rides, a climbing wall and horseback rides.
Cost per ride on the Alpine Coaster is $15. A special $20 ticket includes one ride on the coaster and one on a slide. A passenger's ticket for those ages 2 to 6 is $4.
Coaster hours are noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Weather permitting, activities at the resort will remain open through Oct. 15.
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