Alpine Slide vs Alpine Coaster

An alpine slide is a sit-down sled on an open track. You feel the ground under the runners and you work a brake stick. An alpine coaster — also called a mountain coaster — is a cart on rails. A lift usually takes you up; gravity brings you down. You work a brake lever. Many carts seat two.

Neither is a zip line. You are not hanging from a cable. Neither is a park coaster with inversions. If a sentence still works after you swap in “zipline,” rewrite it.

Quick Facts

• Alpine slide: open track, sled, brake stick, ground feel
• Alpine coaster / mountain coaster: rails, cart, lift up, gravity down
• Origin tag: Alpine slide / alpine coaster
• Not a zip cable. Not tubing. Not a loop coaster.

Which One Am I Booking?

Read the park page. “Alpine slide” and “mountain coaster” are not the same ride. Photos of rails vs an open trough tell you which product you bought.

FAQ

Is a mountain coaster the same as an alpine coaster? Usually yes — cart on rails, lift up, gravity down.

Is either one a zipline? No. See Alpine Coaster vs Zipline.

Ready to Ride?

Compare alpine slides and mountain coasters near you. Start at Experience.