Colorado’s alpine slides and coasters
I inch ahead of my daughter Casey on the third-to-last turn. On parallel courses, she’s been ahead of me the whole run, but — despite what I like to think is better skill and technique — it’s my heavier, ahem, adult weight that finally gives me the advantage. We’re schussing the face of Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, home of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and more winter Olympians than any other club in the country. But instead of skiing, it’s summer and I’m wearing shorts. And instead of skis — on which she’d definitely kick my butt — we’re on an alpine slide, one of several ways resorts are boosting offseason revenue (proceeds from this one benefit the club).
Accessed by chairlift, Colorado’s alpine slides and coasters (slides are on wheels; coasters are affixed to a track) are some of the best in the country, letting you control your own speed and unleash your inner summertime version of Mikaela Shiffrin as you careen down concrete or metal tracks. Perfect for families, consider them a way to get thrills without the chill or spills at a ski resort once sunshine replaces snow. Here are a few to get your adrenaline flowing this summer.
Winter Park — Winter Park’s alpine slide is the longest in the state, stretching 3,000 linear and 600 vertical feet through curves and straightaways with views of the towering Front Range mountains. Its length allows for high-speed thrills and slower, scenic rides, making it appealing to everyone.
winterparkresort.com
Breckenridge — The Breckenridge alpine slide offers three separate tracks, each about 2,600 feet long, letting you choose different routes and race side by side. Located at Peak 8 and part of a larger summer fun park, its smooth design, varied terrain, and family-friendly atmosphere make it one of the state’s most popular.
breckenridge.com
Howelsen Hill — The Howler alpine slide in Steamboat Springs (where I dusted my daughter) is a local favorite and one of the few slides located in a traditional mountain town setting rather than a large resort. Known for its fun twists and views of town and the Yampa River, it’s a great option for beginners and families, whisking you down a hill that has helped train more than 100 Olympians.
steamboatsprings.net
Glenwood Caverns — A hybrid between an alpine slide and a mountain coaster, the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park lets you control your speed while fixed to a track as you schuss through tight turns and drops down to the Colorado River below. The ride begins at a dramatic cliffside setting above Glenwood Springs, offering panoramic views and a slightly more intense, roller-coaster-like experience.
glenwoodcaverns.com
Copper Mountain — Copper Mountain’s Rocky Mountain coaster is the second-longest coaster in the country, careening 5,800 feet through a high alpine setting. If the base altitude of 9,700 feet doesn’t take your breath away, the coaster will as it flies through forested terrain with a mix of fast straightaways and tight turns.
coppercolorado.com
Snowmass — The Breathtaker alpine coaster at Snowmass lives up to its name with dramatic drops, twists, and expansive views of the Elk Mountains and towering Snowmass Mountain. A self-controlled braking system lets you throttle full speed or dial it back so your heart can catch up.
aspensnowmass.com
Eugene Buchanan is an award-winning author whose work has been published in The New York Times, Men’s Journal, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, and more. His new book, Yampa Yearnings was released in December 2025. He lives in Steamboat Springs.
Photo courtesy of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
