Visitors to Vail may be able to swoop down the mountain, through the trees, sans skis, snowboards or even snow if a proposal to build an alpine coaster is approved.
The 3,100-foot-long steel, elevated, gravity-powered coaster would drop 300 feet down the mountain year-round at the resort’s Adventure Ridge.
“We’re a family resort, and this is just another activity that provides something for families to do,” said Jen Brown, Vail Resorts spokeswoman.
Park City installed an alpine coaster last summer. A coaster is also in operation in Glenwood Springs.
Plans for the Vail ride are in the analysis stage. The White River National Forest, which owns the land, is accepting public comment on the proposal through May 16.
If the plans pass review, the resort could begin building the ride as early as next fall, said Roger Poirier, winter sports program manager for White River National Forest.
Rocky Smith of Colorado Wild said Vail and the U.S. Forest Service shouldn’t be in the amusement-park business.
“It’s a continuation of what I consider a disturbing trend, getting more and more stuff at ski resorts,” Smith said.
A public meeting will be held at 4 p.m. April 25 at the Beaver Creek Room of the Avon Public Library to discuss the plans.
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer can be reached at 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
