Mountain coaster

The Alpine Coaster at the Eifelpark in Germany.

A mountain coaster or alpine coaster is a type of roller coaster with bobsled-like cars on tracks installed on a mountain. It is similar to alpine slides where a low-wheeled sled is used to navigate the track, but instead of running over smooth concave tracks like the alpine slide, alpine coasters run on rails with up-stop wheels like traditional roller coasters. Thus, an alpine coaster isn't necessarily safer due to the jerky movements the cart makes as it navigates its way on a fixed track. Alpine coasters are undoubtedly slower than an alpine slide since alpine coasters have speed regulated carts that prevent a rider from experiencing the track at full speed. Tracks are usually tubular rails, like a steel roller coaster, while some have monorail-type tracks. Unlike a traditional roller coaster, the rider has the capability to control the car's speed with its rider-controlled brake system. Alpine coasters can also operate year-round, even through light rain and snow.[1]

Safety features, speed, tracks and layout vary by manufacturer. Leading makers of mountain coasters (with trade marks in parenthesis) include ADG (Mountain Coaster),[2] Wiegand (Alpine Coaster),[3] Brandauer (Summer Toboggan),[4] Alpine Products (Alpine Mountain Coaster),[5] and Erbschloe Fun Construct (Rolba Bob).[6]

As of 2007, the longest alpine coaster in the world is Tobotronc at Naturlandia, in the Pyrenees of Andorra. It is 5.3 km long.[7] The highest alpine coaster in the world is the Alpine Coaster of Glacier 3000 in Gstaad, Switzerland with the starting elevation of 9,747 feet (2,971 m) and a length of 3,300 feet (1,000 m).[8]

History

The predecessor to the mountain coaster is the alpine slide, which came out in the 1970s. Wiegand, a German company in Rasdorf, installed the first stainless steel tracks for the alpine slide in 1975 rather than the customary fiberglass or concrete tracks. The company later developed the first mountain coasters in 1997. Josef Wiegand, the owner, envisioned the idea of creating a roller coaster-type ride for ski resorts that would take advantage of the topography of the land, rather than building the structure to create the elevation changes that traditional roller coasters require. The company installed its first coaster under the "Alpine Coaster" trademark in 1997.[9]

A contradicting account shows that Brandauer installed its first "Summer Toboggan" in 1996 at the Karkogel Resort in Abtenau, Austria.[10][11]

In 2007, Alpine Products, one of the largest manufacturer of alpine slides, entered the market with its "Alpine Mountain Coaster". This company was later purchased by Aquatic Development Group (aka: ADG Mountainsides) located in upstate New York, USA. The company is the first maker to add an anti-collision system that detects cars ahead, warns, and stops the cars when needed, among other safety feature improvements.[3]. They are also the only manufacturer that fully designs and manufacturers all of their products in North America.

Tracks

Most mountain coasters are installed by ski resorts as an added year-round attraction, or installed seasonally to augment income during summer months. The latter have easily removable tracks that are placed over the ski runs after the ski season.[4] All mountain coaster tracks are devised for easy installation, with minimal impact to the topsoil and environment, as most tracks are built close to the ground, taking advantage of the natural elevation of the terrain. No concrete work is needed, except at the station.[12] Bridgework up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall is installed by manufacturers to negotiate roads, trails, ski slopes or water crossings.[13] Tracks are constructed of aluminum or stainless steel for low maintenance and durability.

Closed-loop tracks include a lift system during the course of the ride. Some coasters on ski resorts eliminate the long, tedious climb up to the top by utilizing the resort's ski lift to take riders to the top of the course, so the riders can enjoy a longer one-way downhill run back to the station.[14] Mountain coasters erected as rides in amusement parks are usually closed-loop coasters.

Thrill elements on mountain coasters could include varying degrees of curves, dips and hairpin turns.[13] Large spiral circles (helixes) are not only used as a thrill element, but also for reducing elevation.[9]

Mechanics

The dips of the Wiegand Alpine coaster at the Eifelpark in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Each sled accommodates one or two passengers and is controlled by a hand brake located on both sides of the car, or a single brake lever in the middle of the car on Brandauer coasters. Riders are advised to place their hands on the brakes at all times for safety reasons.[15] Pulling the hand brake handle causes the cart to stop; pushing or letting go of the handle causes the brakes to release, allowing the cart to accelerate.[14]

Alpine coasters are unique among amusement park rides in that the rider has complete control over his or her speed and ride experience. Riders can opt for slower leisurely run or with minimal or no braking for faster thrilling rides.[16]

Safety

Safety nets along the closed loop of the Trapper Slider mountain coaster at Fort Fun Abenteuerland in Germany

Most cars are equipped with a centrifugal brake system that controls its maximum speed by limiting the rotational speed of the run rollers. Riders are responsible to observe a safe distance as a common courtesy to the riders in front. Each car is equipped with shock-absorbing front and rear bumpers in case of collision, which occurs when riders are driving too fast and not leaving enough space for braking distance. Newer generation coasters are equipped with an anti-collision system that automatically apply the brakes if the rider gets too close to the car ahead.

To secure the riders on their seats, each car is equipped with a three-point safety belt for the rider and a lap belt for the passenger. Tracks also have safety nets, especially on steep curves, as a precaution.

Locations

Austria

  • Mieders Summer Toboggan Run at Serlesbahnen. This is the World's steepest alpine coaster, with a monorail type track at a length of 2.8km
  • Imst Alpine Coaster at the ski resort of Imst. The World's longest mountain coaster, at a track length of 3.5km,
  • Abtenau summer toboggan run, near the city of Salzburg. A 1920m track reacing speeds of up to 40km/h.

Germany

  • Hasenhorn Coaster at Todtnau in the Black Forest. The track is approximately 2,9km long, making it one of the longest mountain coasters in Germany.
  • Alpine Coaster at Kolbensattel in Oberammergau.

Canada

Jamaica

  • Rainforest bobsled at Mystic Mountain

Haiti

  • Ladardee

New Zealand

Russia

  • Rodelban in Bobroviy Log Park, Krasnoyarsk

Serbia

Switzerland

  • Alpine Coaster of Glacier 3000 in Gstaad, Switzerland is the highest alpine coaster in the world with the starting elevation of 9,747 feet (2,971 m) and a downhill run of 3,300 feet (1,000 m) reaching a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h). The ride opened on March 26, 2007.[8]

United Kingdom

  • Forest Coaster at Zip World in Betws-y-Coed, Wales is the first alpine coaster in the UK. It has a downhill run of 2,330 feet (710 m) reaching a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h). The ride opened in May 2017.[21]

United States

GoldRunner Coaster at Breckenridge Ski Resort

California

Colorado

Georgia

  • Helen - Black Mountain Alpine Coaster, opened in 2017.

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Missouri

  • Branson - The Branson Coaster, opened in 2017.
  • Branson - Runaway Mountain Coaster at Branson Mountain Adventure, opened in August, 2016.

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

South Dakota

  • Keystone - Rushmore Mountain Coaster at Rush Mountain Adventure Park.

Tennessee

  • Gatlinburg - Anakeesta Rail Runner at Anakeesta, opened in 2018.
  • Gatlinburg - Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster - Opened in August, 2014.
  • Gatlinburg - Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster - Opened in June, 2017.
  • Gatlinburg - Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg, opened in September, 2015.
  • Pigeon Forge - The Coaster at Goats on the Roof, opened in 2015.
  • Pigeon Forge - Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, opened in August, 2013.

Utah

Vermont

Wyoming

  • Jackson - The Cowboy Coaster at Snow King.

Vietnam

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Frequently asked Questions". Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  2. ↑ "ADG Mountain Coasters & Slides". Archived from the original on 2017-12-05.
  3. 1 2 Mountain Coasters; ADG Moutnainsides, USA. Retrieved on July 24, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Summer Toboganning System". Brandauer. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Alpine Mountain Coaster" Archived September 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.. Aquatic Group. Retrieved on July 24, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Rolba Bob". Fun Construct. Retrieved on July 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Tobotronc".
  8. 1 2 "Alpine Coaster" Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.. Glacier 3000. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "All About Alpine Coasters". Coaster 101. Retrieved on July 17, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Alpine Coasters". AceOnline. Retrieved on July 24, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Referenzen (tab) > 'Österreich' ". Brandauer. Retrieved on August 17, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Rolba Bob Product Features". Fun Construct. Retrieved on July 25, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "About Alpine Slides & Alpine Coasters". Alpine Slide Directory. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  14. 1 2 deathbyillusion (March 6, 2011). "Alpine Coaster Winter On-ride (Complete HD Experience) Park City Mountain Resort". YouTube. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Alpine Coaster" Archived July 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.. Park City Mountain Resort. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  16. ↑ davidjellis (December 3, 2011). "Long Alpine Coaster (Imst) - no brakes!". YouTube. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster". Blue Mountain. Retrieved on July 8, 2014.
  18. ↑ "The Pipe Mountain Coaster." Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Retrieved on July 8, 2016.
  19. ↑ Law, Tina (January 7, 2017). "Park 'puts Chch on the map'". The Press. p. A10. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Active holiday in Kopaonik: Alpine Coaster".
  21. ↑ "Zip World Fforest Coaster".
  22. ↑ "Datanla Waterfall". Dalat Trip. Retrieved on August 21, 2017.
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