Get ready, because life in the Tar Heel State is about to get a whole lot more exciting with the opening of the first-ever alpine coaster in North Carolina! Few details have been released about the attraction as yet, but the fun includes a very steep mountainside that has an alpine coaster filled with twists, twirls, and drops that wind through the trees on a mountain across the road from and overlooking the Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. Here's what we know so far about Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster:
Wilderness Run's alpine coaster will take riders up a very steep incline to the very top of the mountain where riders will wait momentarily in a short queue until it's time to begin the thrilling descent.
The individual and two-seater cars look similar to this one, photographed at another alpine coaster.
In this construction photo posted to Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster's Facebook page, the track is in place after months and months of hard work preparing the landscape and anchoring the footers for safety. Just looking at the track from here is an adrenaline rush...
The difference between an ordinary roller coaster and an alpine coaster is that an alpine coaster is constructed on a hill or mountainside and uses gravity to power the ride. Other features include smooth rails for the car to ride upon during its descent down the mountain.
Wilderness Run takes the adventure to a whole new level by carefully weaving the coaster's path through the natural foliage on the side of the mountain. In all, there are only about 30 alpine coasters in America — soon to include the newest of them all, right here in North Carolina.
Folks who live in or near Sugar Mountain have been watching this new attraction unfold right on the main thoroughfare for months and months. A new, three-story building is the latest addition to the setup and is sure to include more ways to enjoy this fun, new attraction.
Stay tuned for more info and for additional photos when North Carolina's first alpine coaster opens at Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Sugar Mountain. Weather permitting for adding finishing touches and ensuring all safety precautions are met, the owners of Wilderness Run anticipate an opening during the second week of February 2020.
You can follow the progress and keep up to date on the official opening date by visiting and following the official Facebook page here. You won't be the only one, though. Even though this attraction has yet to open, the Facebook page already has over 5,000 followers! It's easy to see why.
Have you ever ridden an alpine coaster or are you eagerly awaiting the adrenaline rush from this new attraction? We'd love to hear from you.
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