Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster — Attraction in Kalispell

We are locals and today was our fourth time visiting. We love the coaster and find the entire place to be very clean and fun! We’ve also enjoyed the gem mining multiple times until today, I debated writing the negative side but thought it would be a fair warning to others. We made the drive from Kalispell to celebrate my little one’s birthday with our family. From the moment we entered into the gem mining area we were treated very poorly by an employee named Carl. He started with making rude comments about my kids taking too long to grab their sifter and gem bag and I quote “don’t all move too quick at once” sounds innocent enough until you hear the backhanded tone. Instead of allowing us to pick where we’d like to sift like we have several times in the past (it was empty otherwise) he brought us over to a certain area that didn’t really work for us (we wanted a spot with seats so all of the little kids could sift and sit at the same time) When we tried to move he rudely announced for us to be quick “because he had other customers” at that point we felt like we were being a bother and retreated back to the original location he had brought us to. As if that wasn’t bad enough he came to “check on us” about half way through sifting and ask if we needed help. In reality it was just another opportunity to berate us. I had the sifter placed in the water for a moment while I moved the sand through, he noticed and immediately stated “can you not leave that sitting in the water, I have other customers at the end,” even though the water was flowing through just fine and it was only for a moment. At this point I asked him what his issue was and pointed out how terrible he had been treating us. He asked how he was treating us badly so when we gave some examples he admitted he was wrong and apologized, he said that wasn’t really him. I told him I appreciated he admitted wrong doing and we left it at that. Unfortunately, it left a bad enough taste in our mouths and we as a family have agreed to not return. Outside of Carl and his mood swings, the girls at the front desk are always SO lovely and kind. They even helped as my son dropped his gems on the way out (thank you, ladies.) Again, it’s always clean and well kept, and they truly have thought of everything in terms of all the details. Hopefully employee adjustments can be made...

The Alpine Rollercoaster in Lakeside is a must-stop for thrill-seekers and fun-lovers alike. The staff was so friendly and helpful, they could probably sell ice to a snowman. Despite a short line, they added extra carts faster than you can say "whee!" to accommodate the sudden influx of riders.

The ride itself is a blast – I highly recommend going no brakes all the way. Trust me, it’s like a thrill ride and a facial wind treatment rolled into one!

And here's a pro tip: if you're a local, let them know for a nice discount. It's a great way to enjoy some local fun without emptying your wallet. So, hold on tight and prepare for some high-speed hijinks!

At the end of your ride, you get the option to purchase a video of your rollercoaster adventure. Because nothing says "fun day out" like capturing your terrified face and wind-swept hair on camera for posterity. Think of it as a moving portrait of pure joy (or sheer terror, no judgment here).

If you're gemming with the littles, the gem mining experience is a surefire hit. There's something magical about sifting through dirt and finding shiny rocks that turns kids into instant treasure hunters. Plus, the on-site gift store is packed with goodies that range from cool souvenirs to nifty trinkets – perfect for bribing your kids after making them pose for that rollercoaster video.

And for all the lovebirds out there, the Alpine Rollercoaster makes for a perfect date night. Imagine sharing laughs, screams, and maybe a little hand-holding as you zoom through the twists and turns. Top it off with a sweet keepsake from the gift store and a cozy chat about the day's adventure. It's the kind of date night that'll make your heart race in more ways than one.

So, whether you're chasing thrills, sharing moments with the family, or looking for a romantic escapade, the Alpine Rollercoaster in Lakeside has got you covered. Strap in, hold on, and get ready for a day of...

Coaster itself was fun, but if you are looking for high excitement/thrills, you might be disappointed. Even if you never touch the brakes, the coaster will auto-brake if you are moving too fast at multiple points on the track. I get the safety aspect, but it was disappointing nonetheless. Also, some of the corners could use some better banking instead of remaining so flat, which pushes you to the side vice down into your seat. Finally, it is a one size fits all seat, so if you are taller, be prepared for an uncomfortable two bars in your shoulder blades.

Additionally, I purchased one video for each of my kids, out of their 3 rides each, as it seemed like a good way to capture the fun they were having. However, the product you receive is only 50 seconds long and only 28 seconds is of YOU and YOUR ride. The remaining 22 seconds is promotional filler footage from the business. Also, they overlay music over the entire 50 second video that drowns out nost sound recorded of you while moving, thereby blocking any chance of hearing your kids excited screams or narration of the ride as in the case of one of my kids. Don't waste the $13 on this "feature", we were super disappointed when we watched the "full video" together.

All in all, it's a good place for the younger crowd, but anyone looking for a real thrill should probably pass. Definitely skip buying the video. The facility was clean and well maintained, staff was nice and friendly, and there was no real wait...