If you’re ready for a serious adrenaline rush during your Gatlinburg vacation, hop aboard one of the area’s incredible mountain coasters! These jaw dropping attractions will have you screaming in delight as you control the speed of your ride down the mountain, all while securely attached to a pair of steel rails! Unlike a traditional roller coaster, mountain coasters feature a sled type cart with a simple braking mechanism and each cart can accommodate up to 2 riders! Here are 3 thrilling mountain coasters in Gatlinburg that you need to experience:
1. Moonshine Mountain Coaster
The Moonshine Mountain Coaster was the first ride of its type to open in Gatlinburg, where it operated for many years as the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster. The coaster was sold in 2021, and the new ownership and management decided to upgrade the ride to the newest, safest technology! Your adventure starts with a leisurely climb to the top of the mountain, so take this time to enjoy the beautiful scenery before the action packed ride back down! From the peak, it’s full speed ahead as you go full throttle through all of the corkscrews, winding turns and dips! The Moonshine Mountain Coaster is open in most weather conditions, and you can even ride in the rain as the sleds can be equipped with rain shields to keep you dry!
2. Ski Mountain Coaster
Another one of the thrilling mountain coasters in Gatlinburg that you need to experience is the Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg! This ride begins with a 1,000 foot tree-covered ride to the top, but don’t get too comfortable because soon you’ll be racing back to the bottom! The 2,750 foot downhill run features a variety of exciting elements, so see how fast you can go while hugging the turns and dips down the mountain! Since you control the speed of your ride, you can also choose a more leisurely journey back to the loading area! The coaster carts are designed for comfort as they feature high backrests and short brake levers, allowing for easy handling and control!
3. Rail Runner
The Rail Runner at Anakeesta is a unique mountain coaster because it begins with the downhill portion rather than the tow ride to the top! Therefore, you have a chance to catch your breath after racing through the 1,600 feet of track with an elevation change of 400 feet! This mountain coaster is also the first in the United States to feature a single rail rather than two, so you won’t want to miss this one during your Gatlinburg vacation! The Rail Runner carts allow you to ride as a single rider or tandem, so small children can ride along with their parents as long as they are at least 3 years old and a minimum of 38 inches tall!
These thrilling mountain coasters in Gatlinburg are just some of the fun attractions that you can look forward to experiencing during your Smoky Mountain vacation! Check out our full list of things to do in Gatlinburg to plan your itinerary, and also be sure to browse through our coupons to save some serious bucks!