These Smoky Mountain alpine coasters offer thrills in the hills.
These rides involve tracks built on mountainsides, using an areas natural elevation to shape the route.
The region holds some special titles, including longest in the Southeast and only single-rail in North America.
Credit:Courtesy of Ripley’s Mountain Coaster
A rides carts can accommodate one or two people up to a typical weight limit of 375 pounds.
Once seated in your cart, youll buckle your seatbelt just as you would in a motor vehicle.
During the ascent, you dont have to do anything but enjoy the views.
Credit:Courtesy of SkyLand Ranch
With these basics, youre ready to explore the fun of Smoky Mountain alpine coasters.
The information below is based on my own experiences with each ride.
Prices, hours, and other features change seasonally.
Credit:Courtesy of Anakeesta
Check each coasters website for up-to-date details.
Prices listed here may not include taxes or other fees.
The new entertainment center also debuted the Wild Stallion Mountain Coasterthe longest mountain coaster in the Southeast.
Credit:Courtesy of Moonshine Mountain Coaster
As you approach the ticket counter for SkyLand Ranch, a fiddle and banjo duel over the loudspeakers.
Welcome to Skyland Ranch!
Bring your friends and your family too.
Credit:Ripley’s Mountain Coaster
Welcome to SkyLand Ranch!
SkyLand Ranch is waiting here for you, the songs vocalists harmonize.
After a quick safety overview, you begin your first three-minute pull up the coaster.
Credit:Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
At sunset, the coasters track lights up with white twinkle lights.
The coasters first descent is a smooth, one-minute thrill of curves and spirals.
The Rail Runner is the only single-rail mountain coaster in the United States.
Credit:Korrin Bishop
Another element that sets the Rail Runner apart from other area coasters is that it starts with the descent.
Since youve already ascended a mountain to get to Anakeesta, the only option is down.
Its like disappearing into a secret forest land.
Credit:Korrin Bishop
At the end, you might relax and enjoy a four-minute, cable-pulled climb back to the loading area.
Its a wonderful time to soak in nearly 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains.
During the spring, the path is lined with blushingmountain laurel.
Credit:Courtesy of Ober Mountain
The Rail Runners ambiance mimics the overall feeling of Anakeestas commitment to mountain magic.
Loudspeakers tucked throughout the woods play pop music favorites like Taylor Swift to keep moods high.
Your descent is filled with several fast downhill curves and finishes off with a 360-degree loop.
Mountain laurel speckles thehillsides in spring.
The Roaring Fork stream rushes alongside you as your cart slowly pulls its way back to the loading dock.
The recordings also include detailed safety instructions so youre prepared by the time you buckle up.
Flickering rainbow lights trace the length of the track.
There are, in fact, goats on the grass roof of the coasters store and ticketing area.
Visitors can purchase feed to give to the goats via a pulley system.
At night, the track lights up in bright colors.
A fun cartoon safety video orients passengers to the ride.
The track winds around 20 acres of property with regional decorations, colorful lighting, and ponds with fountains.
The four ascents provide plenty of downtime to take in the rides mini amusement park style.
If youre lucky, sometimes you might spot a black bear in the woods below.
The mountain coaster begins with a 3.5-minute, 1,000-foot climb of a lightly forested hillside.
obergatlinburg.com/tennessee-flyer, 1339 Ski Mountain Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
