Camp Fimfo's alpine coaster is the first one of its kind in Texas.
Courtesy of Camp Fimfo
MYSA
Catherine Wilson, mySanAntonio.com
The Cliff Carver takes riders on a journey of twists and turns through hills and wooded areas at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, giving guests a special opportunity to experience the scenery in a new and exciting way.
What is an alpine coaster?
An alpine coaster is a mountain coaster, but instead of boarding a train car, riders mount something akin to a cart equipped with a brake system that allows riders to control the speed as gravity does the rest. The cart goes down a fixed track that uses the topography of the area to guide it.
"Just imagine taking a skateboard down a hill but with twists, turns, and corkscrews," said Drew Goodall, the park's manager. "It's just you and the rails, and the twists and turns ... It gives you that thrill of almost driving a car down the track."
With several alpine coasters throughout the U.S. — the closest being in Colorado — Texas was overdue to have its own attraction, Goodall said.
The story behind the ride
The owners of Camp Fimfo, which is a camping resort featuring outdoor retreats that opened in 2019, always knew they wanted to add an alpine coaster to a list of growing attractions. The resort, already equipped with a water park featuring a swim up bar, began construction in March 2022 to make the coaster a reality.
Camp Fimfo is host to several water park attractions and Texas' first alpine coaster.
Courtesy of Camp Fimfo
After construction concluded in December 2022, it would take a few weeks of test runs before it would be ready to ride. As Texas' first alpine coaster, there was a lot of anticipation surrounding the coaster's first launch. The soft opening, on February 18, drew a large crowd.
Camp Fimfo's alpine coaster is the first one of its kind in Texas.
Courtesy of Camp Fimfo
"[Coaster enthusiasts] were out here in full force for our opening day," said Brian Lane, general manager of Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country. "It was the soft opening, not even the grand opening."
The coaster officially opened its doors to the public on February 24, and Lane said excitement for the ride hasn't died down, with guests from around the country carving their way through Camp Fimfo's hills.
How does the Cliff Carver work?
Once riders get into position, those on the carts are taken on a cable ride up a steep track to the top of a hill. From there, riders get a good view of the Guadalupe River, oak trees, and other native greenery before being plunging more than 100 feet down the hill's other side.
"A lot of people that are riding it are riding for the first time, and really experiencing a gravity coaster for the first time, because as soon as the cable lets you go from the top of the hill, it's all gravity going down," Goodall told MySA.
The Cliff Carver at Camp Fimfo is the first alpine coaster in Texas.
Courtesy of Camp Fimfo
The roughly seven to eight minute drive over the 1 mile track takes riders on a journey through where they can catch sights of some of the native wildlife. Goodall describes the sights riders will see as "basically Texas."
Lane's favorite part of the coaster is the final drop.
"The third down track is where you really get going as fast as possible," he said. "There's some turns at the end that just have your stomach cupping your throat."
When people come off that last hill and slam the breaks as they pull into the exit, they are all smiles and eager to go again, Goodall said.
Who can ride?
Riders don't have to be a park camper to gain access to the ride and can visit the general store to pick up a ticket. Tickets to ride cost $20 for a single rider or $35 for a pair. To be a single rider, you have to be at least 9 years old and have a minimum height of 54 inches. Those between 3 and 8 years old must meet a 38-inch height requirement and be accompanied by an adult to ride the coaster, which accommodates up to two riders per cart.
"It's something that I think everybody should at least try and come out to see what it's like," Goodall recomended.
In addition, all riders are expected to sign a release form, and those under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver for them.
Where and when can I ride?
Tickets to ride can be purchased in person. However, due to demand it's best to book the tickets in advance on the camp's website. The alpine coaster at Camp Fimfo is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Find it: 520 Whitewater Way, New Braunfels, TX 78132