Mountain Coasters of Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

One of the most fun activities that have proliferated in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the last few years is MOUNTAIN COASTERS. A mountain coaster is a steel-rail track that follows the terrain of the hillside, with one-person carts that run the track at safe intervals from each other. These carts hold one adult or one adult plus one smaller child, have seat and shoulder restraints, are locked onto the track, and have hand brakes on the outside of the vehicle.

The Experience

You board the cart at a station at the bottom of the hill, have a leisurely trip up the lift hill, then press your brakes forward and zip down all the hills and curves the makers can throw at you. You are strapped into the cart and the cart is locked onto the track, making it extremely safe. Use your handbrake if you want to, but there’s no reason not to go full-tilt the whole way the first time–it’s not like you can fall out.

The History

This is a big advancement on the mountain coaster’s predecessor, the alpine slide. Alpine slides are generally built at ski resorts in the US and around Europe to create summertime income. In these, the track is a trough carved into the hillside and built up with concrete or fiberglass, which riders brave in a wheeled cart with a handbrake between the knees.

The biggest difference in the older model is that you can fall out. The braver you get and the faster you go, the higher up on the wall of the curves and the likelihood of the cart flipping over, or popping you out of the track completely. In the case of fiberglass slides, this can produce torn clothing and nasty fiberglass burns. Don’t be that person. It really hurts.

If you would like to control your own fate, many alpine slides are in operation all around the world, including Ober Gatlinburg. But for the most part, mountain coasters are the next generation of fun, and tons safer.

Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

Since there are several mountain coasters in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, I did some internet research to find out which one was the “best” one, but couldn’t find any direct comparisons. So I decided to ride them all! Last year for my 40th birthday, my gift to myself was to ride mountain coasters all day. (I do generally travel solo, but in this case, I took my best roller coaster friend with me. It was SO MUCH FUN.)

This is rather an expensive undertaking because most coasters are about $15 per ride. Meaning, riding four or five will cost $60-75, or about the same cost as a Dollywood ticket, where I can ride much better rides over and over again! The cost is a little hard to justify, which is why I’m here to tell you which ones are worth your money.

It is also worth checking out what coupons and Groupons are available before you go–we were able to save significantly on two of the coasters using Groupons plus a further discount code.

GATLINBURG MOUNTAIN COASTER

Our worst ride wasn’t all that bad–the track is smooth, there’s free parking, and it was still fun. But of all the mountain coasters, the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster was the worst experience. The staff isn’t particularly friendly and we were just sent through as quickly as possible. All in all, it was too quick an experience for such an expensive ride. I recommend skipping this one.

Single rider (2018): $16
Double rider: $27
Parent/child combo: $24
Unlimited 1-hour pass: $30
All-Day Ride Pass: $50
(They used to advertise same day re-rides for $8, but it’s no longer listed on their website.)

OBER GATLINBURG SKI MOUNTAIN COASTER

The Ober Gatlinburg coaster was probably the worst ride, but a great experience. Because here, the mountain coaster isn’t the only thing going. There’s a whole experience involved.

First of all, this is the only coaster where you will have to pay for parking. The coaster is at the top of “ski mountain” and you can either park at the bottom and ride the Aerial Tramway to the top, or drive up the winding Ski Mountain Road and park at the top. Either way, parking is $10.

I prefer the Aerial Tramway because it’s way more interesting. You get amazing views across the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg. I rode it soon after the devastating Gatlinburg fires and it was very interesting to see how selective was the damage. Adult tickets for the Tram are $17, children 5-11 $14 which entitle you to unlimited rides within a two-day period. There is a $1 off coupon widely available. 

The Aerial Tramway shuttles you between what is essentially two shopping malls. At the bottom is a strip of tourist shops and the upper mall is much larger and situated around a large ice skating rink. All the activities and snacks are up here, all for an extra fee, of course. These include ice skating, skiing, tubing, a chairlift, an older-style alpine slide, a bear enclosure, playground, arcade, mini golf, even some carnival rides and water rides–different activities being open in different seasons. The shopping areas, in particular, are sweetly outdated, like a 70’s time capsule. I kind of dig it.

The Coaster

Like most of the attractions, the Ski Mountain Coaster is behind the upper mall. Since this is the coaster at the highest altitude, it can get quite chilly up here, especially in the early spring! The ride operators are cheerful and fun and the ride is–kinda jerky and short. It made me think it was a touch homemade, more so than any of the other coasters. It does indicate clearly when they take your picture on the track, so you can give your best smile to the camera. This photo ended up being my favorite for the trip!

Tickets: $16, $12 for kids
A wristband that includes one ride on the coaster plus all other activities (except the tram and any snow activities) goes for $39 for adults, $36 for kids
TOTAL COST–parking+tramway-coupon+coaster=$42

ROWDY BEAR MOUNTAIN

This is the newest coaster option in Gatlinburg and definitely the best on that side of town! Fast and smooth, and I really enjoy the lift hill. They had to fit this one into a smaller slice of space, so the hill changes directions a lot going up, and it also zips you down quite close to some cabins and hotel rooms. Looking just at Gatlinburg, this is the one I would absolutely recommend.

BONUS: MOUNTAIN GLIDER

Rowdy Bear also has a one-of-a-kind Mountain Glider ride that is like the suspended version of a mountain coaster. First, you put on a harness and a helmet and get weighed then are led to one of two tracks. An operator will have you sit on a small lift which will bring you up to a rigid overhead track where your harness is clipped into the ride “cart” (for lack of a better term.) You get some handlebars to hold onto and are told to cross your ankles. Down goes the lift, and you’re sent up a smallish lift hill.

Then down and around you go–it’s frankly a lot less thrilling than I thought it would be, due to lots of brake runs along the path. And every time you hit a brake run, you swing forward. You lay quite a bit farther back in the harness than I thought I would, so every time you hit a brake run, your feet go in the air and your head goes back. That’s the purpose of the handlebars, I guess, to give you more stability, but it took me almost the whole ride to get used to the movement. It was over just as I was beginning to enjoy myself!

I find that I would either like to not swing at all and maintain a controlled smooth glide all the way around the track, which seems like the intention of the ride. Or I would like MUCH more freedom of movement by sitting up straighter and farther from the rail, no handlebars, no crossed ankles, and not locked into a forward motion. Basically, like a roller coaster zip line.

I chatted with the owner as I left and they may still tinker with the braking system so it won’t swing as much. Since there’s not another ride like this anywhere else, they are pioneering the experience. And for that reason, I recommend you try it at least once! It’s too unique to pass up. I want to ride it again just to enjoy it better, now that I know what to expect.

Coaster: $17
Glider: $20
Coaster+Glider: $32
3 rides on coaster only: $25
1-Hour unlimited $36

THE COASTERS AT GOATS ON THE ROOF

Goats on the Roof is another coaster with an expanded experience, this time on Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge. It’s sort of like a concentration of Pigeon Forgeishness: fudge, ice cream, country-style shopping, gem mining, and a mountain coaster, with a few goats thrown up on the roof for fun. In fact, when I was there, we could only spy the (rather fat) goats out an upper window, far from the crowds and chow. I think they had had enough!

The coaster itself is really fun and super smooth, and I like that it starts fast right from the top of the hill. It also has more affordable family prices than the Gatlinburg options.

Adults: $15
7-12: $12
3-6 (riding with an adult): $5
Same day re-rides: $5

SMOKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE COASTER

No hillbilly shopping, ice skating, or goats, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is simply the best on the virtue of its ride alone. It has by far the longest track and is the 2nd longest in North America. You feel like you’re getting your money’s worth here. Plus lots of curves and spirals at top speed since you’ve had even longer to build up for them. It’s simply the best track out of all the Gatlinburg AND Pigeon Forge options. Of all the coasters we rode on my birthday, this is the one we returned to for a re-ride after dark.

*And note–ride the coasters in the dark! They are all lit up at night and it’s super fun.*

The SMAC has the same family-friendly prices as Goats on the Roof, and almost always has a Groupon available for 2 rides for $20, either for two riders or for one rider to use twice. It *has* been down for maintenance a bit lately (spring 2018) but I hope that’s just some spring cleaning and nothing serious. Just make sure you check the website before you show up.

Adults: $17 (with military ID: $15)
7-12: $13
3-6 (riding with an adult): $5
Same day re-rides: $8

COMING SUMMER 2018: ANAKEESTA RAIL RUNNER

The newest attraction in Gatlinburg is Anakeesta, a chairlift/gondola ride up to a hillside of attractions. Coming Summer 2018, they will add to their roster a single-rail mountain coaster, which should offer a different experience than anything else available. Said to “ride lower to the ground on a single track creating a thrilling and unique experience as you race through the trees.” It also looks like it will have a handbrake between the knees, like the old alpine slides. I look forward to checking out Anakeesta as a whole and really look forward to seeing if this new coaster style is worth the cost.