One of the most popular attractions in the area are the alpine coasters. The area now has 7 in operation. The first opened in August of 2013 with the latest finished up summer of 2015. Two of the coasters are located on Wear’s Valley Road in Pigeon Forge, one in Pigeon Forge near Dollywood and 4 in the city of Gatlinburg.
Alpine coasters have been around since the early 1970’s and are most often designed/installed by German engineering companies. The coasters need the right piece of land and excavation is usually the highest cost in the building process. The terrain must accommodate twists and turns and a slope that lets gravity do all the work. And while you may be at an elevation of 2000 feet you won’t be far off the ground. The bobsled like cars ride on a stainless steel rail. Each car can hold up to two passengers. After passengers are strapped in the car is pulled up the track by a cable and once at the top the car is released for a white knuckle ride down the mountainside reaching speeds of up to 30 mph! Riders are able to control their speeds using handles positioned on each side of the car.
Each track in the area sports something a little different, one claiming to be the highest, one the longest, another the fastest. One thing we can say for sure is they all have great scenery! Coasters do operate rain or shine and offer morning and night rides. Like most coasters there are height and age requirements.
To get a short preview of a no brakes ride on the Smoky Mt Alpine Coaster located on Wear’s Valley Road click here.
Here are the links for the coasters currently in operation in Sevier County.
http://www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com/
http://gatlinburgmountaincoaster.org
http://obergatlinburg.com/mountain-coaster/
https://www.anakeesta.com/rail-runner/
https://www.rowdybearmountain.com/
Wonder what the next hot attraction might be….hmmmmm…… Plenty of reasons to come to the area and new things are added all the time so come back often, see what’s new, enjoy the old and just plain have fun!
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