- Attraction: Timber Twister Alpine Coaster
- Location: 9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth, MN 55810
- Industry: Adventure Park
- Website: https://spiritmt.com/summer/adventure-park/
Gravity becomes your best friend when you’re hurtling down a mountainside through towering trees at 26 miles per hour, completely in control of your own destiny.
The Timber Twister Alpine Coaster at Spirit Mountain transforms an ordinary day into an adrenaline-pumping adventure that leaves visitors grinning from ear to ear and immediately planning their next ride.
This unique attraction winds over 3,200 feet down the mountain—that’s more than half a mile of pure excitement cutting through Minnesota’s beautiful northern forests.
Unlike traditional roller coasters that rely on mechanical power, the Timber Twister uses pure gravity to propel riders through its winding track, creating an authentic mountain coaster experience that’s completely different from anything you’ll find at a typical amusement park.
The Ultimate Mountain Coaster Experience
Total Control Of Your Adventure: You sit in your own individual cart (or share with a friend) and have complete control over your speed using simple hand brakes—push forward to accelerate, pull back to slow down or stop.
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Keep Exploring →Even if you typically avoid roller coasters, you might find yourself loving this one since you control exactly how fast or slow you want to go. The freedom to customize your ride intensity makes it perfect for thrill-seekers and cautious riders alike.
Breathtaking Forest Views: At the coaster’s highest points, you’ll catch stunning glimpses of Duluth and Lake Superior stretching out beyond the treetops.
The beautiful scenery becomes part of the experience when you slow down enough to really take it in. You’re literally speeding through a forest with gorgeous North Shore views along the way, making this as much about sightseeing as it is about thrills.
Multiple 360-Degree Loops And Twists: The track features multiple 360-degree loops, twists, and turns as it makes its way down the mountain. You’ll find yourself dodging branches and speeding around corners in a way that feels both exciting and completely safe. Each twist brings a new perspective of the surrounding wilderness.
Smooth Ride Back To The Top: Once you reach the bottom, you simply sit back and let the ride pull you back to the top automatically. The conveyor belt moves slowly on the way up, giving you a more relaxed view compared to your speedy trip down. This means you get two completely different experiences in one ride.
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Discover MorePerfect For All Ages: Children as young as 3 can ride when accompanied by someone 16 or older, while riders 54 inches tall and at least 8 years old can enjoy the coaster solo. Families consistently report that everyone from tweens to grandparents has a blast, with many kids wanting to ride over and over again.
Atmosphere & Setting
Minnesota’s Only Alpine Coaster: The Timber Twister holds the distinction of being the only alpine coaster in Minnesota, drawing enthusiasts from across the country who specifically travel to experience these gravity-powered mountain rides. At 3,200 feet in length, it’s officially the longest alpine coaster in the state.
Stunning Natural Setting: The 500-foot vertical drop takes you from the very top to the very bottom of Spirit Mountain, offering an impressive descent through dense forest.
Instead of racing through an amusement park, you’re surrounded by the beautiful Duluth hillside and northern Minnesota wilderness. The natural setting creates an immersive outdoor adventure that feels worlds away from typical tourist attractions.
Year-Round Seasonal Beauty: The coaster operates beautifully in different seasons, with fall offering spectacular color changes in the surrounding forest. Operating from Memorial Day weekend through the third week of October, visitors can experience the ride during the peak of Minnesota’s gorgeous summer and fall weather.
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Keep Exploring →Easy Mountain Access: Located just ten minutes south of downtown Duluth with convenient Interstate 35 access, Spirit Mountain sits in an easily accessible location that doesn’t require a long drive into remote wilderness. Free parking is available with space for RVs and trailers on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other Considerations
Reasonable Pricing Structure: Individual rides are reasonably priced at around $14, making it an affordable thrill for most families. For multiple rides, day passes offer unlimited access to the alpine coaster plus other Adventure Park attractions like zip lines, chairlift rides, mini golf, and the jumping pillow. The day pass quickly pays for itself if you plan to ride more than once, which most visitors do.
Quick But Memorable Experience: The ride itself takes about seven minutes from start to finish, including the trip back up. While some visitors mention wishing the ride lasted longer for the price, most agree it’s completely worth it for the unique experience and stunning views. The track covers more than half a mile, making it a substantial ride despite the relatively short time duration.
Adventure Park Combo: The Timber Twister is part of Spirit Mountain’s larger Adventure Park, which includes a 700-foot zip line, scenic chairlift rides, 9-hole mini golf, and a giant jumping pillow. This makes it easy to spend an entire day at the mountain, especially with unlimited day pass options.
Safety And Accessibility: Loose items like bags, cameras, and water bottles aren’t allowed on the coaster for safety reasons. Multiple visitors mention that the ride is smooth and comfortable, even for those with back issues, thanks to the controlled speed and well-designed track.
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Discover MoreExpect Crowds On Beautiful Days: The coaster can develop longer wait times on particularly nice days, so plan accordingly if you’re visiting during peak summer weather. With approximately 100,000 rides per year, the Timber Twister clearly draws significant crowds throughout its operating season.
Timber Twister Alpine Coaster
📍 9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth, MN 55810
