New Alpine Coaster opens in Maryland

Finally! An Alpine Coaster within decent driving distance from me!

http://www.wispresort.com/summer_oa.htm

For those unfamiliar with the rides, some great photos can be found here:

http://www.gaponline.de/landkreis/oberau/bilderwelt/2003_09_05_Alpine-CoasterImst.html

I have some photos and on ride video. I thought I posted about it before, but apparently I never got around to it. I'll see if I can do that tonight. This was my first Alpine Coaster. I had a blast. A little expensive, but fun anyway. I was told they'll be running it year round. So I may make this a mid-winter trip as well. :) *** Edited 10/30/2007 12:35:55 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

I haven't been skiing since 03', and I've never been to Wisp, but maybe this will inspire a trip there. I've always thought it was a much longer drive than to 7 Springs, but it's about twenty-five minutes shorter according to Mapquest.

Sweet! Theae things are awesome. Should make for a nice weekend trip this offseason. :)

Before anyone makes a special trip out to WISP to ride it, you may want to know 3 rides cost $25, one ride is $9.50. It also looks like today will be the last day it is open since they don't list any hours after October 31st.

http://www.wispresort.com/summer_oarateshours.htm

The following was taken on the inagural weekend for Wisp Resort's alpine coaster.

Pictures

On Ride Video 323MB (Download before viewing)

<Edit>Fixed Link</Edit> *** Edited 10/31/2007 3:35:56 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

Looks like fun to me.
Thanks for posting this. I've never skied Wisp before, but the trail map looks impressive.

^^Jason, the .mov file above is located on your server, but the link is to Jeff's.

Seems like many/most Alpine Slides are located at ski resorts, and operate only when skiing is in its "off-season". It's usually fairly expensive, but SO worth it...

I can't say it's not within driving distance from me as I just got back from a trip to Massachusetts, lol, this looks worth checking into if I'm on my way somewhere else now that I see it's not TOO far, but I'd never just drive there unless I was going somewhere else as well.

I fixed the link. And Wisp is only about a 4 hour drive from Cleveland. I never knew I could get to Maryland in 4 hours.

I'm a little confused after watching the video. I thought these sorts of things were all downhill. It looks like there are parts where it coasts uphill. But I also thought they had a user-controlled brake. So what's to keep someone from braking so much that they valley?

These are differant than the ones at Ober Gatlinburg, which have brakes.

Those things are too cool. One of these days I'll get around to riding one.

^^These have hand brakes. Default position is a medium brake. Push forward to make it go, or pull to brake hard. I don't recall any uphill moments. It may be hard to tell in the video because I'm pushing forward on the hand brake with one hand, holding the camera with the other and going through turns and drops at pretty high speeds.

Wow! Amazing video Jason. It took nearly 4 minutes to climb the lift hill and about 1 minute 20 seconds to descend. That's a decent ride if I say so myself. Seems worth the money to me considering I've paid 3 times that amount for a Sky Coaster or Sling Shot.

^Wow... i can't imagine using the brakes, but i guess some might want to.

Well, If there is someone in front of you not going as fast as you are... Slowing down is recomended over hitting them. :) This was the case in my third run. I'm glad I got my photos and video in the first 2 runs. In my third run I had what appeard to be a grandpa and grandson pair. I caught up to them very quickly which made that time through just mediocre. The first 2 runs were outstanding.

Even though they don't have times listed yet, I was told this would be a year round attraction. They just have a different ammount of distance between cars depending on the weather conditions. They said the only weather that might be a problem would be freezing rain. Aside from the station, the entire ride was built above their typical snow fall level.

Alpine coasters (and slides) should all have dual tracks. One for "families" and one for....the rest of us. Then again, having a slide designated for thrillseekers might be something you'd only do in, say, Wisconsin... ;)

Nice video, and I can appreciate how hard it must have been to record that, LOL. Next time, helmet-cam. :)

...and it's good to hear it'll be open even in Winter. Those things are an absolute blast...

There is also an on board of the Wisp Mt Coaster on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yshfDVdnrbE

Of course, the quality isn't nearly as goods as Jason's.

:)