One of our favorite activities near Park City is riding the Mountain Coaster and Alpine Slide at Park City Mountain. In the heat or the summer or early Fall, this activity is perfect families, especially if you have hard to please teens and tweens. Both activities have you speeding down the mountain, which is a ton of fun.
There are separate fees for each of these rides, but you can also buy a combo pass, which is what we did. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Mountain Village ticket office. Prices are the same either way, and you have to redeem online tickets at the booth. Sometimes they sell out, so if you are going later in the day, you might want to purchase tickets online to confirm a spot. And if show your Utah ID you can save 10% off tickets for the Park City Mountain Coaster or the Alpine Slide.
Park City Mountain Coaster
The Mountain Coaster is supposed to feel a little like a mini roller coaster. The Park City Mountain Coaster is the longest one in Utah. The track is formed by several rails almost like a train track. After getting buckled in, your small, one-person cart is towed to the top of the track. There is no effort by you, all you have to do is sit and enjoy the Fall leaves.
Once you get to the top of the Mountain Coaster, gravity takes over. You have some control over the speed of your car, though we mostly went full-throttle. There are a few big corners where some of us slowed down by using the brake, but the workers discourage you from braking too much. The ride down the mountain is surprisingly long, and the scenery is really beautiful. There is even a fun little bridge along the way.
There are some height restrictions for the Park City Mountain Coaster. In order to drive you must be over 54″. If your children are between 38″-53,” they can ride with a driver who is 54″ and at least 16 years old. If you have children smaller than 38″ that want to ride, head over to the Alpine Slide as the requirements work better for littles.
Park City Alpine Slide
The Alpine Slide begins with a ride up the ski-lift. This ride begins right behind the ticket window. We enjoyed the view from the lift, and we even spotted a few deer on the slopes below as we rode to the top of the slide.
When we arrived at the top, we were directed to pick out a sled. It was our job to carry/drag the sled to the top of the slide. It wasn’t very far or very heavy, but we saw many dads carrying multiple sleds. So be prepared that you may need to help younger riders lug the sled along.
You have even more control over the Alpine Slide than you had over the Mountain Coaster. You will be riding a one-person sled down a narrow luge this time, so you’re not really attached to the track like in a coaster. Think of it more like a waterslide on wheels.
Pushing forward on the handle raise your weight off the slide and increases your speed. Easing the handle back will slow you down. So you can go as fast or as slow as you want. The Alpine Slide height requirements are that children that are 35″-47″ are able to ride with someone who is over 48″ and at least 16 years old. Anyone over 48″ must be drivers. Park City Mountain does offer Parent Swap if you have really little ones. Check with the ticket booth.
More to do at Park City Mountain
We absolutely loved both of these activities. Riding the Mountain Coaster in the Fall was an absolute treat. There are lots of other activities going on at Park City Mountain in the Summer and Fall, such as ziplines, climbing wall, mini golf, and more. Check out their website for details and current hours.
