Grouse Mountain is offering a new way to go downhill in a hurry with an exciting new summer ride.
The North Vancouver resort welcomed the first riders on the Grouse Gravity Coaster Wednesday, taking guests on twists and turns while seeing scenic city views from up above.
“It’s a pretty exciting moment,” said Michael Cameron, departing president of Grouse Mountain Resort. “It’s been about four years in planning and construction, so it’s been a long time.”
Designed as a closed-loop track, the gravity coaster travels 1,434 metres total, with a downhill descent of 919 m (totalling 91 m of vertical drop in the process) followed by a 515 m ascent. The ride zips by trees and greenery while also showing off some stunning views of Metro Vancouver.
Riders can reach speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour during the approximately five-minute ride, travelling solo or with a passenger.
In a press release, resort officials said each cart has advanced safety technology, including “automatic magnetic braking and anti-collision systems that slow carts if they approach one another too closely.”
Wednesday’s grand opening also welcomed Nick Dean, the new president of Grouse Mountain.
The coaster, a permanent attraction, is the latest of several additions to the resort over the last couple years, including the Blue Grouse Gondola in 2024 and a bike park in 2025.
Tyler McCulloch, senior director of Mountain Adventures at Grouse Mountain, said the coaster is another way for people to enjoy the resort.
“Grouse Mountain is always looking at ways to invest in our future,” McCulloch said. “It’s another way for people that don’t necessarily ski or snowboard in the winter to come up and see the views.”
The coaster also comes as the resort is celebrating a centennial milestone, which is timing that worked out well, said McCulloch, adding that he is stoked to see members of the public finally getting a chance to try the new attraction.
“The ride exceeded my expectations and the views and adrenaline, it’s great,” he said.
Vancouver residents Nick Gordon and Erika McNerney were some of the first riders during Wednesday’s opening. They said they enjoyed the rush the of all of the coaster's twists and turns.
“We love a thrill, so this was right up our alley and we had the best time,” said Gordon. “It was so fast … I was screaming, enjoying [the ride]. It was good.”
Riding the coaster was a pure coincidence for the friends, as they didn’t know it was opening and were heading up to see the resort's popular lumberjack show.
“It went so much faster than I thought,” McNerney said. “It was super fun, I loved it.”
Tickets for the coaster range between $29 to $49, depending on the number of rides and passengers. More information about the coaster can be found on Grouse Mountain’s website.
