A new mountain coaster experience is coming to the Banner Elk area.
Work has started on the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, and the attraction plans to open later this year. The new mountain coaster is going to be located on the “Food Lion Hill” part of 184 just above the entrance to Sugar Mountain Resort.
Site prep began a couple of weeks ago and photos of the layout were posted to the attraction’s Facebook page.
While it is the first mountain coaster in the North Carolina High Country, there are several to check out in our mountain communities. Wisp Resort was the first to do it a few years ago boasts a 1,300′ uphill track and then they release you down a twisting 3,500′ downhill over 350 vertical feet on the eastern side of the mountain.
Ober Gatlinburg installed one a couple of years back. They have LONG had (and still do) an Alpine slide which is pretty intense where you control your own sled down a smooth, concrete track. They added the mountain coaster which is 2,750′ in length and it is really a great ride year-round.
The Smokies also have several mountain coasters now with one in Pigeon Forge measuring a whopping 5,400′.