Tannersville, PA – Visitors to Camelback who love roller coasters can now love them even more by controlling it themselves, now that the ski and snowboard resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is opening its new mountain coaster tomorrow.
The new attraction is one of less than 10 such installations currently in operation in the U.S. and is part of a $3 million investment this year in Camelback’s Mountain Adventures list of summer activities.
“Camelback Mountain Resort is the place for fun 365 days a year. We opened the longest, twin Zip-Flyers in North America in April and now the Pocono Mountains’ only Mountain Coaster,” said Arthur B. Berry III, owner of Camelback Mountain Resort. “We are committed to continually improving our brand and bringing fun for the entire family to the Pocono Mountains.”
The track of Camelback’s new Mountain Coaster sits ready for Friday’s launch. (photo: Camelback Mountain Resort)
Camelback’s Mountain Coaster features a 4,500-foot stainless steel track elevated up to 38 feet above the forest floor with two vast 360-degree turns. The coaster is a year-round attraction designed to appeal both to summer guests and ski season visitors looking for off-the-slope fun.
“The Mountain Coaster is on a low impact track that is staked to the ground, providing an environmentally friendly, ecologically sound experience,” explained Ken Ellis, President of Aquatic Development Group and co-owner of Camelback Mountain Resort. “This is the wilderness and it’s important to keep it that way.”
The Mountain Coaster’s ascent system pulls the two-seat car up the the ski slopes of Camelback on the track. The “up” takes about five minutes as views progressively expand. Once reaching the top gravity takes over, but guests control the speed and brakes with maximum speeds reaching 25 to 30 miles per hour.
Guests must be at least nine years of age and a minimum of 52 inches tall to ride the mountain coaster alone, or at least three years old and 36 inches tall to ride as a passenger with a driver of at least 16 years of age. The combined weight of both riders must be less than 350 lbs. Rides cost $14 solo and $10 for a passenger.
This summer’s investment comes on the heels of a $3 million expansion at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark in 2011. Set to be unveiled this winter at the resort are plans for a new 453-room Camelback Mountain Resort Hotel, complete with a 120,000 square-foot indoor water park.
