Riding an Alpine Slide with Kids

Alpine slides are one of the few mountain thrill rides that young children can share with a parent. Most operators let small children ride as passengers with an adult and let older kids take their own sled once they reach a minimum height or age. The exact rules differ from slide to slide, so it helps to know them before the family gets in line.

Posted rules at a sample of slides

The table below summarizes rules each operator publishes for its alpine slide. Operators can change rules at any time, so confirm on the linked page before you go.

Patterns worth knowing

A few themes run through nearly every set of rules:

• Forty-eight inches is a common threshold. Many slides let riders 48 inches and taller take their own sled, though some add an age minimum as well, such as Winter Park's 8 years or Purgatory's 6.
• Passenger minimums vary widely. Some slides accept children from age 2, others from age 3, and height minimums range from 30 to 38 inches.
• The adult matters too. Companions usually must be 18 or older, though Jiminy Peak allows a ticketed person 16 or older. Mt. Hood Skibowl says adults with passengers must be able to fully operate the brake lever.
• Weight limits are real. Combined limits of 300 pounds are common, and the Howler explains that heavy loads can stall on flatter sections of track.
• Kids sometimes ride free. Some slides do not charge for small passengers riding with a paying adult; others require a ticket for every rider. Check the ticket page.

Is my child ready to ride alone?

Meeting the height rule is only the first step. A child riding solo needs to understand the lever, brake before turns, keep a gap from the rider ahead, and stay calm if they slow to a stop. A family writing for Visit Park City found that their 7-year-old, technically old enough to drive at Park City Mountain, had trouble leaning forward enough to get the sled going fast and asked to ride with a parent instead. A light child may simply find riding solo less fun.

A good approach is to ride together first so a child learns the track from a safe seat, then let them try alone on a later lap, with a parent going first or right after as the operator allows.

Riding with a passenger

• Listen closely to the briefing at the top. You control the sled for two.
• Keep the speed moderate, especially in banked turns.
• Make sure the child's hands and feet stay inside the sled.
• Secure hats, sunglasses, and anything loose before you start.

Making the day easy

Bring a hat and sunscreen for the chairlift, closed-toe shoes for everyone, and snacks for the line. Ride early in the day, once the track is dry, before the busiest late-morning crowds. Have a plan for the youngest children who cannot ride yet, such as a scenic chairlift ride, mini golf, or a playground, so the whole family enjoys the mountain.

For more ideas, see family summer attractions near slides and riding fast, riding smart for older kids and teens.

Sources

• Winter Park Resort, Alpine Slide
• Purgatory Resort, Alpine Slide
• Howler Alpine Slide, FAQs
• Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, Summer Gold Pass
• Snow King Mountain, Alpine Slide
• Whitefish Mountain Resort, Alpine Slides
• Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Alpine Slide
• Mt. Hood Skibowl, Alpine Slide
• Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
• Jiminy Peak, Alpine Slide
• Crystal Mountain, Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide
• Ober Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Bobsled
• Chestnut Mountain Resort, Alpine Slide
• Visit Park City, Summer family fun