The reason we added the Mountain Coaster to our ski resort is that we’re open year-round and needed to add something to the experience,” highlights Brian Fairbank, president and CEO of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. “It increased our attendance by one-third. It was a people magnet! We chose the Mountain Coaster because it was something different and significant to add to our summer activities. The surprise was that it was just as useful in the winter.”

Jiminy Peak is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Southern New England, but in summer hosts the Mountain Adventure Park, offering 12 attractions including the Mountain Coaster, the Alpine Slide, Euro-Bungee trampolines and more. However, only the Mountain Coaster stays open through the winter season too.

“The ski industry demographics and unprecedented weather conditions have caused ski resorts to re-evaluate their summer business,” notes Larry Hays, North American sports for representative Josef Wiegand, the German company that supplied the Mountain Coaster, or Alpine-Coaster as it is marketed. “No resort can afford to operate for four to six months and then close. Subsequently, 25 to 30 years ago, they started adding alpine slides, mini golf, mountain biking, and so forth.

The Mountain Coaster was developed by Wiegand a number of years ago and now there are over 85 worldwide. The first US installation was in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. “Brian Fairbank heard about the Mountain Coaster, got my name, and we met in late 2005,” reveals Hays. “He ordered one in 2006.”

“I signed in November with the guarantee we would receive delivery of parts by mid-May so we could open by July 1. They met their commitment and we opened on time. Wiegand were honourable people through the entire process and afterwards,” notes Fairbank.

The Mountain Coaster differs from his other attractions, he says, because it is not labour intensive to run. “One of the things the Mountain Coaster did for us was allow us to offer a time-frame ticket, so a family can come here and buy either single rides, a multi-ride booklet or a three-hour ticket. This allows the parents to leave the kids and go off and relax.”

Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Coaster is the first on the East Coast of the US. There are now more on the way across the country, and it’s already enjoyed success at a variety of venues in Europe. The 100ft-tall ride carries passengers on a 1,000ft lift up the mountain and into the woods before releasing them smoothly and silently onto 2,600ft of maintenance-free stainless steel tubular rails that twist and turn their way to the bottom. The highest point of the track above the ground is 18ft, but usually it skims along at only 3 to 5ft, which keeps it above the snow.

The vehicles are designed to carry two visitors in comfort but can be handled easily by one alone. The hourly capacity is about 450 riders, based on dispatching an average of 1.5 people every 12 seconds. Riders are held in place with a seat belt and control their own speed, giving them a unique hands-on experience and encouraging repeat visits. A centrifugal brake limits the top speed to 25 to 28 mph, but the proximity of the trees and the ground plus the g-forces experienced through the hairpin turns make it feel much faster.

The supporting structure sits directly on the ground without foundations and is held firmly in position with steel pegs. “Because the coaster follows the terrain just above the ground and through the trees it added to the thrill of the ride and minimised the environmental impact to the mountain,” offers Fairbank. “Instead of having to remove stumps and pour footings, this design system allows it to be pegged to the ground and adjusted to the contours of the land.”

“The ride experience is good because you're close to the ground as well as surrounding trees,” Hays concurs. “You control the speed and I am sure you get the sensation of flying down the mountain. The ride is very interactive and I think the lift or ride up is a big part of it as well.”

“Our guests love this ride,” grins Fairbank. “The public’s reaction has been beyond any expectations. It’s a thrill and a half, a combination of high speed and g-forces. Plus, it’s very, very safe.”

“There are a few amusement parks in the US that this ride would work with, such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Lake Compounce, Silver Dollar City, Dollywood and Stone Mountain,” believes Hays. “The cost of the Mountain Coaster is very attractive when you consider other rides. If you have the right terrain, this ride is very visual.”

“I’d recommend this coaster,” concludes Fairbank, “for more ski resorts provided they have a local populace or it’s a large summer tourist Mecca anyway. It also makes sense as a stand-alone attraction if you have a hillside or any park that has the topography.”

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