If you have been paying attention to all the exciting new things going on in Branson, Missouri, the Live Entertainment Capital of the Midwest, chances are that you have heard about a unique new attraction – the Branson Mountain Coaster! This thrilling ride – named The Runaway at Branson Mountain Adventure Park – is joining more of its kind that are located in places like Colorado, South Dakota and the East Coast. It is the only mountain coaster in the Midwestern United States. So just what is a ‘mountain coaster’, and why are they becoming so popular? Read on to learn more!
Mountain coasters, also known as alpine coasters, are gravity driven amusement park type rides where passengers are seated in cars designed similar to bobsleds – and of course, they are installed on mountains or hills with steep grades. Mountain coaster cars are designed so that passengers can control their speed of descent down the mountain individually, and they can even operate with light rain or snowfall, unlike traditional roller coasters. Since the Ozarks are full of steep hills and sometimes unpredictable weather forecasts, the Branson mountain coaster is the ultimate ride!
The Branson mountain coaster has its roots in Europe – as do all alpine coasters. Inspired by the 1970s alpine slides, the first mountain coaster was built by German company Wiegand (who also installed the very first stainless steel track for the alpine slide) in 1997 under the trademark ‘Alpine Coaster.’ Josef Wiegand, the company owner, was inspired by the idea of coasters for ski resorts that would utilize the natural topography of the land and provide a year round and/or off-season attraction for European ski resorts. In 2007, the Alpine Products company, who was the largest manufacturer of alpine slides, came on the market with their ‘Alpine Mountain Coaster,’ and introduced new safety features to the industry such as anti-collision systems.
Some of the most well-known European mountain coasters are located in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland and San Candido, Italy. Today, mountain coasters are gaining rapid popularity in the United States, due to their relatively easy construction; the tracks are built from stainless steel and aluminum, which provides maximum stability and durability while having the benefit of being low maintenance. Since these coasters are designed to ‘go with the flow’ of the land with minimal environmental impact, tracks are installed close to the ground so no concrete work is required, with the exception of the launching station. Safety nets are installed on sharp curves as a safety precaution.
The Branson mountain coaster will be carrying on a long line of steep and thrilling family fun – so don’t miss the opportunity to take a spin on The Runaway at Branson Mountain Adventure Park!
