Fresh air in your hair, the sun kissing your skin, adrenaline pumping through your veins, and stunning views to boot — these are all the things you can bank on when hopping aboard one of the world’s most scenic mountain coasters. Rushing through the jungle or zipping past mountains on a mountain coaster, or what is widely known as a toboggan run, around the world allows you to soak up Mother Nature’s finest work just about any time of year — during summer or even winter!
A single-seater coaster might be scary for some, but the spine-chilling vibe immediately fades once you witness the magnificent views. Plus, you can control your speed based on your preference (as long as you keep your distance from others). First timers will find that controlling a toboggan takes some getting used to, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll handle it like a pro (likely because you’ve gone on repeat!). Best of all, you can ride it with your kids!
But enough of all that. Here’s where to try these exciting coasters.
1. Pradaschier Coaster, Churwalden, Switzerland
Switzerland is heaven for mountain coasters with more than 15 places to choose from. The longest toboggan run in Switzerland, the Pradaschier Coaster, made it to the Guinness Book of Records for the longest-tracked-guided railway in Europe.
At over 3,000 metres in length and 480 metres in elevation, you’re required to ride a chair lift to reach the starting point. The best part of the Pradaschier Coaster is that they open it during winter! A wintry white landscape and snow-capped mountain scenery are irresistible.
Adventure seekers might not get enough with just one coaster experience, so you can try the Floomzer summer toboggan run, Engelberg toboggan, Glacier 3000, and more!
2. Pong Yaeng Jungle Coaster, Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you think Switzerland is too far out of reach for your toboggan run dreams to come true, why not visit our neighbour Thailand? Having taken a ride on the Pong Yaeng Jungle Coaster in Chiang Mai, I can assure you that it’s one of my best beginner experiences with the mountain coaster.
Prices for a ride are affordable, going for as low as RM27 per ticket, allowing you to ride multiple times! You might not want to go full speed the first time, so all the more reason to hop a second (or third) time.
3. Datanla New Alpine Coaster, Da Lat, Vietnam
Another neighbouring mountain coaster you can try is the Datanla New Alpine Coaster in Da Lat, Vietnam. The 2,400-metre ride through the pine forest will allow you to witness the Da Lat waterfall as a bonus. A ticket from roughly RM38 will award you with beautiful scenery and an adrenaline-pumping experience all at once.
Adventurers at heart might also want to explore abseiling, high ropes, cable cars, and many more activities if you think the alpine coaster isn’t enough. Just be sure to check the weather before you leave (you don’t want to get disappointed if it closes due to heavy rain).
4. Kopeng Treetop Adventure Park Zip Coaster, Semarang, Indonesia
Indonesia has tons of wisata (nature escapes) from hanging bicycle rides in the middle of the woods to picture-perfect spots. One such place is the Kopeng Treetop Adventure Park that offers a zip coaster experience — a mix of flying foxes and coaster rides about 500 metres long.
Instead of sitting down, it’s one of the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re flying. Take a deep breath of fresh air when passing through the greenery, scream your heart out, and release all your stresses while at it.
5. Selvatica Jungle Coaster, Cancun, Mexico
Selvatica – The Adventure Tribe in sunny Cancun, Mexico is a hive of fun for thrill-seekers. Here’s where you can ride through their canopy ride that sees you through a human coaster (zip coaster), jungle coaster (seated coaster), or even the Superman flight (ride the coaster lying down). How it works is you have to buy the package ride, which brings you to a different ride from one to another in sequence to avoid a long queue. It’s hard to imagine a ride more exciting!
6. Razorback Mountain Coaster, Manolo Fortich, Philippines
At Dahilayan Adventure Park in the Philippines is the Razorback Mountain Coaster that runs for a whopping 600 metres. Razorback is another moniker for the local wild boar, which the area is famous for.
Winding through the Dahilayan forest and flanked by towering pines, this is the first mountain coaster in the Philippines and lasts roughly two minutes. Additionally, Dahilayan Adventure Park has the highest para jump in the Philippines and the longest dual zip-line in Asia. Guests who prefer to stay the night can check-in at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, since the park is some ways away from the commercial centre.
7. Yong Pyong Resort Mountain Coaster, Gangwon-do, South Korea
From extreme sports to extreme fun, Yong Pyong Resort is a must-visit destination for skiing during winter. Known as one of the best ski resorts in South Korea due to its location, the resort has become an attraction for summer activities too.
One activity to try is the mountain coaster and luge. It boasts 1,300 metres of steep slope for a thrilling mountain coaster ride with a speed of 40 kilometres per hour that’s then followed by the Yong Pyong Luge. Both will satisfy your craving for heart-pumping adrenaline.
8. Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Ontario, Canada
Anyone lucky enough to have been to Canada’s Blue Mountain will tell you that it’s heaven on Earth. You can Google it for photo proof! Located in Ontario, Canada this resort is massive to say the least, and there’s plenty to do, including family-friendly activities like an obstacle challenge.
But, the highlight here is definitely the sliding down the slopes on Ridge Runner, the mountain coaster. Imagine zipping along on a controlled speed ride for a whole kilometre at speeds of up to 42 kilometres — and you can do this during all four seasons! If you’re even luckier and can visit multiple times, you’ll get to witness beautiful colour changes in the scenery.
9. Alpine Coaster, Oberammergau, Germany
Family parks, recreation areas, and mountain resorts are common for most countries, and based on this list alone, we’ll be putting some (if not all) of them into our travel bucket list. Although Germany is known for its castles and cars, this country is not one to be missed when it comes to thrilling rides and adventure.
One to hop on is the Alpine Coaster at Kolbensattel, surrounded by the greenery of the Ammergauer Alps. Safely test your kids’ bravery by bringing them for some fun riding the downhill coaster that’s 2,500 metres long. As the adage goes, start them young!
10. Long Tom Toboggan at Misty Mountain, Sabie, South Africa
Wind through the panoramic views of one of the longest toboggan run in South Africa on Long Tom Toboggan. Instead of seeing ice-capped mountains, witness the warm orange and fresh greenery of Mpumalanga; a fitting name that means ‘the place where the sun rises’ in Zulu.
The 1,700-metre-long ride speeds up to 45 kilometres per hour and showcases the preserved beauty of South Africa. Besides zipping around, stay for the plethora of mountain range activities that’ll prove to be the main attraction for a family vacation. Also consider hiking to the Blyde Canyon if you want to be blown away by the rarity of raw, undisturbed nature.
