5 Mountain Coasters to Ride During Winter

Zooming down Colorado slopes on an alpine coaster (aka mountain coaster) is an ideal way to soak in the charm of this state, especially when freshly fallen snow glitters in the winter sun.

By: Colorado.com Staff Writer

Updated: March 20, 2024

A person dressed in warm winter clothes sits on a yellow alpine coaster seat and glides down curved metal tracks on the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park alpine coaster. In the background past the coaster seat are snow-covered jutted mountains under a blue sky. — The alpine coaster at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Alpine coasters combine the fun of an amusement ride with the rush of highland adventure and scenery. You’ll see and feel the state's wonder in ways that are difficult to replicate on other Colorado explorations, like sights of crystal-clear mountain ranges popping in and out of view and the refreshing air against your face while flying through pine-tree thickets and steep hills.

Your chance to enjoy this immersive winter magic awaits at these Colorado ski resorts and high-elevation towns. Check out the alpine coasters below for unforgettable fun.

A smiling patron gives the camera the peace sign with their gloved fingers as they slide down the metal track of Copper Mountain's Rocky Mountain Coaster. There is snow piled high on the hills around the person as people ski behind them and the sun shines brightly down. — Copper Mountain's Rocky Mountain Coaster

1. Copper Mountain's Rocky Mountain Coaster

The Rocky Mountain Coaster at Copper Mountain stretches 5,800 feet and glides at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. This thrilling trip through picturesque snow-covered hills descends 430 feet with an average grade of 10.9 percent, meaning you’ll be dashing comfortably at a slight angle. Soar through tall pine and spruce forests and — from a safe distance — beside skiers and snowboarders floating up the mountain on the ski lift.

2. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s Alpine Coaster

Twist and turn through the frosty air on this exhilarating ride. At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the 3,400-foot-long alpine coaster maneuvers sharp turns with agility. During winter, the rails are lit up with twinkling fairy lights, exuding an enchanting wonderland feel. The panoramas from the coaster are unbeatable, too — immense and jagged, snowcapped peaks swell into view as you descend. Don’t worry if you missed any of the scenery on the way down; you’ll be able to admire it again when you’re pulled back up 1,000 feet to the starting point.

A parent and their children zoom down the Purgatory Ski Resort's Mountain Coaster in Durango, Colorado, with a horizon of snowy mountain peaks in the background under a dusty-blue sky. — Purgatory Ski Resort's Mountain Coaster

3. Purgatory Ski Resort’s Mountain Coaster

Dash through frosted aspen groves and beside the San Juan Mountains — seemingly close enough to touch — on Purgatory Ski Resort’s Mountain Coaster in Durango. On this 3,000-foot-long coaster (also known as the Inferno and affectionately called the “Snowcoaster” by locals), you’ll whizz through dips, zip along nine switchbacks, swirl into a complete loop and fly high above the curving ski runs below.

A parent and their child smile widely as they race down the metal tracks of the Aspen Snowmass' Breathtaker Alpine Coaster. The sun has gone down and left a hint of blue in the sky but the tracks are lit up with white light that glows off the snow beneath the track. — The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster at Aspen Snowmass

4. Aspen Snowmass’ Breathtaker Alpine Coaster

The Aspen Snowmass Breathtaker Alpine Coaster boasts a track that stays true to its adventurous name — the sights on this more than 1-mile-long coaster will truly leave you breathless. At speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, the winding rails will take you through wintry hills and groves of towering pine trees. Nighttime rides (only available during Ullr nights, celebrations of the Norse god of snow) are even more thrilling as the blazing light on the front of your seat will illuminate the surrounding darkness.

5. Mustang Mountain Coaster in Estes Park

Witness Rocky Mountain National Park from new heights at Estes Park’s Mustang Mountain Coaster. It features 2,000 feet of track cruising through fir and aspen forests silvered with snow. Gravity will pull you downhill while momentum drives you 1,000 feet up, the horizon revealing distant frozen lakes and those deep-blue Rockies dusted in glistening powder.

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