If you’re looking for a fun day of excitement, stunning views, and some good old family fun, grab your bags and make your way to Big Bear Lake, California, for a fantastic time at the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain.
We’ve passed this place so many times and finally decided to check it out for my son’s birthday in February, and wow, did he have a blast! He loved snow tubing, racing down the Mineshaft Coaster, and flying high on the Soaring Eagle!
So, if you’re thinking about visiting the Alpine Slide Big Bear, here’s all the info you need to visit Big Bear’s adventure park!
The Alpine Slide
Let’s start with the Alpine Slide itself! This isn’t just your ordinary amusement park ride; it’s Southern California’s only genuine bobsled experience!
Your adventure begins with a scenic chairlift ride to the top, where you’ll be treated to pretty views of the lake and pine forests. Once you reach the top, you’ll grab a sled and zoom down one of two quarter-mile concrete tracks racing around high-banked turns and long straightaways! The best part? You control the speed with a handy brake, so whether you’re a cautious newbie or a speed demon, it’s all up to you.
Height restrictions: Kids must be at least 36 inches tall and must ride with an adult if less than 48 inches
Cost: $10 per person for a single ride or $45 for five rides (check the website for current pricing)
More Rides to Get Your Heart Racing
The Alpine Slide is just the beginning—Magic Mountain packs a punch with other attractions, too!
Mineshaft Coaster
After going down the snow tubing hill on repeat for an hour, my son wanted to check out the Mineshaft Coaster. This popular ride seemed to always have a line. It took about 10 minutes to get to the ticket window and another 15 minutes to get on the ride.
This is California’s first and only mountain coaster, and it’s a wild ride. Over a mile long, it twists through tunnels, dips, and 360-degree corkscrews at speeds up to 30 mph—all built right into the mountainside. You control your speed on this ride, too, so it’s perfect for thrill-seekers and chill riders alike. At $20 a pop (or $10 for kids under 54” with an adult), it’s worth every penny for the rush.
Each cart has a camera, so make sure to smile! You can purchase a video and pictures after the ride.
Height restrictions: Kids must be at least 38 inches tall and must ride with an adult if less than 54 inches
Cost: $10-$20 per person (check the website for current pricing)
Soaring Eagle
Next on my son’s checklist was the Soaring Eagle. This zip-line-style ride takes you 500 feet across the park with a 100-foot drop, reaching speeds of up to 28 mph! It’s a quick adrenaline rush, and it’s open year-round.
This attraction also comes with its very own camera, so you can grab an awesome video and some pictures afterward to relieve all the excitement!
Height restrictions: Must be at least 42 inches tall and must ride with an adult if less than 48 inches
Cost: $12 per person (check the website for current pricing)
Go-karts
For some high-speed fun on solid ground, the go-kart track is a hit. It’s compact but packs plenty of twists—great for a friendly race with your crew.
Height restrictions: Must be at least 57 inches tall to drive a single cart. The double car requires the driver to be over 18 and the passenger must be at least 36 inches tall.
Cost: $10-$12 per person (check the website for current pricing)
Snow play (winter only)
During this trip, my son was a bit bummed that there wasn’t any snow in Big Bear yet. But once he saw the big snow hill created by the snowmaking machines, his excitement skyrocketed! It’s perfect for snow tubing! And the icing on top is the Magic Carpet lift—it’s like a moving sidewalk that takes you right to the top, so there’s no heavy trudging involved! We had fun watching him zip up, down, and around more times than we could count!
Height restrictions: Must be at least 36 inches tall and must ride with an adult if less than 42 inches
Cost: $30-$45 per person (check the website for current pricing)
Water slide (summer only)
Get ready for some summer fun! When the sun is shining, it’s time for the excitement of the double water slide. You’ll zoom down and land right in the heated pool (3.5 feet deep). And when you want to chill out, the poolside deck is the perfect spot to kick back and relax!
Height restrictions: Must be at least 36 inches tall
Cost: $2 single ride or $15 for 10 rides. They also offer passes: $25 unlimited day pass, $60 Sun-Fri Season Pass, and $75 Anytime Season Pass (check the website for current pricing)
Mini Golf
Need a breather? The 18-hole mini-golf course is a laid-back way to keep the fun going. It’s cute, quirky, and fun for all ages.
Height restrictions: None!
Cost: $8-$9 per person (check the website for current pricing)
Food Options to Refuel
All that excitement works up an appetite, and luckily, Alpine Slide Big Bear has a snack bar. It’s nothing fancy, but will get you recharged. It’s a classic American Grill with eats like:
- Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and nachos: Quick, tasty, and kid-approved.
- Ice cream, churros, and fresh baked cookies: A sugar rush for the kids or just treat yourself because why not?
- Drinks: Sodas, water, and maybe a coffee if you need a pick-me-up.
There’s plenty of seating—indoors, on the outdoor patio, or sprawled out on the grassy areas near the water slide deck. Parents, heads-up: you only pay if you play, so you can hang out with a snack while the kids go wild. If you’re craving more variety, Big Bear Lake Village is just a short drive away with spots like Saucy Mama’s for killer pizza, craft beers and cocktails.
Planning Your Visit
Location: 800 Wildrose Ln, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315—easy to spot off Highway 18
Website: https://alpineslidebigbear.com/
Hours: Typically 10 am–4 pm, but they tweak it seasonally, so check online.
Free Parking: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes!!
Dog Friendly: Yes, but you’re little four-legged thrill seekers have to skip the rides!
When to arrive and parking
To make the most of your visit at Alpine Slide Big Bear and skip the long lines, it’s best to arrive early!
We got there around 9:50 AM on a Sunday and had a 20-minute wait to fill out waivers and grab our bracelets. After that, we had to line up for each attraction, but thankfully, most of the waits were pretty short—except for the Mineshaft Coaster, which was very popular!
If we decide to go back, we’ll aim for about 9:30 AM to get a head start. When we left around noon, the line to get in was super long, so I’d definitely recommend avoiding the midday rush if you can.
There were plenty of parking spots when we arrived. However, when we were leaving, we noticed some people circling around looking for spots. Get there early and beat the crowd.
Cost
Get your wallet ready! There are memories to be made, but the costs add up quickly! We only have one kid and spent well over a hundred on snow tubing, the Mineshaft Coaster, and the Soaring Eagle, which also included the cost of my husband doing all three.
Is Alpine Slide in Big Bear worth it?
Yes! The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is great fun wrapped in Big Bear’s incredible scenery. Whether you’re shrieking down the coaster, splashing on the water slide, or sipping a hot chocolate while watching the action, it’s a day packed with memories. It’s not something I would do every time I visit because there are lots of cool things to do in Big Bear. But, if you have kids and aren’t sure what to do, they’ll love this spot!