Description
The Howler Steamboat Alpine Slide in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is a **fun and family-friendly summer attraction** where kids and adults can enjoy a thrilling yet safe outdoor adventure together. Families start by riding a scenic chairlift to the top of historic Howelsen Hill, which offers beautiful panoramic views of downtown Steamboat Springs. At the top, each rider grabs a sled and controls their own exciting ride down a 2,400-foot winding track that follows the natural landscape[1][3][7].
This attraction is especially kid-friendly because:
– Children as young as 2 years old can ride safely if accompanied by a paying adult, and kids under 48 inches tall must ride with a guardian[3][2].
– Riders control their speed with a brake lever, allowing them to go at a pace that feels comfortable and safe[1][5].
– The setting is outdoors in a clean, natural environment on Howelsen Hill, which combines adventure with scenic views—making it a great way for kids to connect with nature while having fun[4][7].
– The ride’s format offers repeated rides with tickets or all-day passes, so families can enjoy it multiple times throughout the day[1][5].
– Picnic tables are available at the base for families to relax and watch others enjoy the fun[2].
Additionally, all proceeds help support the local Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes, giving visitors the chance to contribute to youth sports in the community[1][9].
Overall, the Howler Alpine Slide provides a **safe, exciting, and memorable experience suitable for all ages**, combining breathtaking views, self-controlled thrills, and an opportunity to create lasting family memories outdoors[1][3][7].
https://www.steamboatchamber.com/listing/the-howler-steamboat-springs-alpine-slide/6242/,https://www.allsteamboat.com/summer_recreation/alpine_slide.php,https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/activity-details/alpine-slide,https://www.uncovercolorado.com/amusement-theme-parks/steamboat-alpine-slide/,https://www.steamboatalpineslide.com/faq-s,https://www.steamboatalpineslide.com/directions,https://kidsintown.co/event/howler-alpine-slide/2025-09-05/,https://www.steamboatsir.com/blog/2023/07/03/childs-play-a-guide-to-steamboats-summer-activities-for-kids/,https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33657-d4582633-Reviews-Steamboat_Howler_Alpine_Slide-Steamboat_Springs_Colorado.html,https://www.steamboatalpineslide.com,https://www.steamboatchamber.com/blog/post/howelsen-hill-alpine-slide/
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29 Reviews on “The Howler Steamboat Alpine Slide”
This particular alpine slide has a few problems which lead to a relatively poor review. First, it is more expensive then it should be. Ten bucks per ride is high in my book, especially when the actual slide is pretty short, the chair lift is super slow, and there is often a wait once you get to the top. Also, the place is mosquito heaven. It has been years since I have been attacked like I was at this place. Even though its not great, I went twice because my kids liked it, but you are much better served by going to the Old Town Hot Springs pool if you are looking for something to do with kids. That place is awesome.
My nieces had a great time on the slide! They ended up going on it twice. The sled is simple enough that the kids felt comfortable driving on their own. You really don’t need to steer on the slide, you just control the break. My brother-in-law skinned his elbow on the track, so it is possible to go too fast. Each ride is $12, but there are a lot of $2 off coupons in the local tourist magazines. Overall, a unique idea, but trying it once was enough for me!
While not advertised, one of the workers gave us a 25% military discount off the $12 when asked. If you have not tried an alpine slide, it is fun entertainment, albeit for a short period of time and this one was better than most we’ve tried. It gets 3 stars for an expensive less than 4 minute ride. If you haven’t been on an alpine slide, be forewarned that it is possible to tip your slide off the track by going too fast. In the 15 minutes of waiting for some of our party to come down the track, I witnessed two people who had fallen off their slide. You’ll get some pretty nasty road rash if this happens. But, you can’t beat the beautiful scenery and views and adrenaline rush, if you decide to speed on down. Most of the kids and adults coming down had smiles on their faces and wanted to go again.
If you choose, you can only ride the chair lift for $6. It’s a lazy ascent and descent, and absolutely breathtaking. Be sure to take some panoramic pix at the top. A cool summer breeze fanning you on the way down will make you make you believe there’s no better place to be at that very moment! Personally, the chair lift for $4 (discounted) is a 5 star in my book!
So much fun!! $12 a ride. Beautiful view, fun ride up the ski lift and back down the slide. My daughter wasn’t too sure she wanted to do it but has the best time!!!
I understand that we signed a waiver, but the employee’s negligence made my entire family get hurt. Apparently it’s unsafe to go when it’s raining, and it started to rain when we got to the top. Since they wanted to get everyone on as fast as they could, they ignored the rain and let people go closer to each other than normal. I was the first in the group, and by the time I got to the last few turns, I had NO brakes and was out of control.
I decided to bail, and ended up sliding all the way down and hitting the tires at full speed. My cousin (with his little brother) also came down out of control and ran into me. My foster son was able to stop but the guy behind him rammed right into him. We all came home with road rashes, scrapes, and bruises.
I get that it’s at our own risk, but they have to know that’s what happens when it rains, so it was irresponsible to let us go, and then making it even more unsafe by sending us so close together? No good.
Chairlift and ride up are awesome. A bit expensive but a good time. However, if you are like me and heavy, you will not go. They said you would go slower the heavier you are but not that I would stop. I completely stopped several time no matter how much you push the lever forward. I had to push myself and the kid behind me rammed me. Be forewarned if over 300 pounds. Not their fault for my weight but impacts my review.
This is the most fun thing to do in Steamboat during the summer! Although we live here we have never been. The chairlift ride was stunning. The people working there are great. One boy was so kind to my family and so helpful that I wish I got his name. He was tall with brown hair and braces. He made us feel so comfortable and safe and thankfully repeated the instructions many times Ina kind manner so the kiddos understood! Safe family fun! Way to go Steamboat! I love it when you can do something different and fun in our own backyard.
The Alpine Slide is always a must when we visit Steamboat. The entire family will ride the slide and it is so much fun!! Love the view as you are riding up. Perfect opportunity to take pictures. Our kids will ride multiple times.
Closed for summer 2018… looks like something to do with the soil surrounding the ski lift to the top. No thanks! I think I’ll wait. There is another alpine slide under the gondola, but it is on rails instead of a slide and kids were scared at the looks of it. Bummer – it was such a fun event when I was here 10 years ago.
Great stop for the kids and the family. Raced each other down. Super fun and great staff. Supporting winter sports in steamboat!
Great time for the whole family! Had social distancing guidelines and mask requirements posted which was great for these days. Overall a great afternoon activity if you’re looking for something to do downtown.
Fily friendly, in a beautiful setting, friendly staff, easy ticket purchase options in person. Took two ten year olds who lived it! Lovely chair lift up included with slide ticket purchase.
Our kids (9, 8, 6) had an amazing time! We were so impressed by the staff as well. Couldn’t have enjoyed it more
Great family friendly activity to do in Steamboat. Spectacular views of the town and the ski mountain from the chair on the way up and the slide back down is a lot of fun and you can race each other! Highly recommended!
My boys were looking forward to this unique experience. They enjoyed the lift ride up the hill and the slide-ride down. Good experience.
This was a really fun summer activity for the whole family. You even get a ski lift up the mountain and a fun ride down the slides. You can control your speed so you can go really slow or really fast. It felt very safe.
My kids and I just moved to steamboat and we are checking out all of the attractions! One of our first stops was the alpine slide and it did not disappoint! The staff was super friendly and helpful and we even went back for a second ride! We had the best time!!!! Highly recommend!
So fun!!!! We took our kids down twice in a row as it was so much fun. Friendly staff, clean equipment, maintained area. My only recommendation would be to have an option for a multi slide pass instead of paying full price per ride down. Other than that it was a total hit with the kids
Great family fun mixed with a bit of outdoor adventure. Highly recommend saving some time for this unique experience when in town!
This was such a fun experience for my kids and I. The staff was very friendly and made us feel very comfortable. I was nervous at first but they made me feel safe. I would do this again for sure. All of my kids had a great time as well. If you are in Steamboat Springs when it is open you definitely need to go for a ride down the slide!
Fun ride!! The kids wanted to go again and again! They had a blast and we enjoyed the scenic ride to the top. Great views, even saw a deer on the ride up!
love the ride !! so much fun I recommend everyone try it !! Also great for younger kids also not so fast my 9 ur old loved it
Very fun and fast. Great staff. Me and my family had lots of fun riding. Staff helped us learn how to ride
Kids had a blast and could have spent the day there! Best place for kids. We will be back
Great place and friendly staff! Our kids had a blast on the slide!
False advertising in an extremely poor manner. Drove a very long distance to get there before 6 PM, and they said they had closed. They offered an extremely unreasonable excuse as to why they closed early, when I heard some of the employees saying that they were heading to a party. They just don’t care about the customer.
Offering this review for anyone curious about how to best navigate the Howler.
First things first. Let’s talk about the good stuff. Tickets were easy peasy. Waivers are accessed via scan codes and electronic. Ticket prices were reasonable. Staff were friendly.
And we’re done.
Total disclosure: if you have all the time in the world and aren’t bothered by waiting in lines, lines and more lines – there are no downsides.
If you’re like most of us and waiting in the heat, under the full brilliance of the sun, watching the younger staff chill in their shaded watch towers is a bit (ok, a lot) frustrating, pass on the Howler.
If it’s the fall, when the weather is cooler and you’ve got a few hours to spend in line and are happy to trade that for a semi fast 10 minutes slide – the Howler is for you.
Did we enjoy it (finally)? Yes. Did we also need to take showers afterwards? Yes. Did we arrive when they opened at 10 am and still sweat out a**es off? Yes. Did we consider and reconsider asking for refunds and leaving? Yes and yes. Did we create faux trauma bonds with everyone around us and commiserate in line? Um, yes.
What would’ve made things better? Shade. Offering water to customers and not to staff only. Communication, re: why every fourth chairlift was being used instead of every chairlift. It’s the little things.
Would we go back? Absolutely not.
This is a blast for kids both young and old! The grandparents, parents and children in our group each had a great time. Tip: for folks on the bigger side hold that lever forward and lean forward to get a little more momentum in the slower spots!
PSA: When in doubt, don’t do it! (Warning, graphic pics!)
This weekend we rode the Alpine Slide in Steamboat Springs, CO, similar to what many other ski towns have, too!
Before getting on the slide, I was making sure the kids knew to brake, use caution, and even considered having everyone wear helmets (but we would have been the only weirdos wearing them so I opted to go with the flow instead).
Well, I was the last in our group to go, and little old cautious me (who was not riding aggressively) ended up flipping the sled near the bottom of the slide. I skid about 10ft on a hot fiberglass slide and ended up with 2nd degree burns up my left side and even hit my face (thankfully I don’t have any burns on my face!!). I had to jump back on as quickly as I could to avoid being hit by the person behind me.
This happened on Friday and within 24 hours, my body went into shock from the pain, and I had to go to the emergency room. My husband said he had not seen me in this much pain since childbirth. They re-wrapped my burns, gave me Vicodin, and a NSAID shot in the butt. Probably one of the top most painful moments of my life. Who knew burns hurt THAT bad?!
I highly recommend never going on one of these, because accidents DO happen and can be avoided. I’m SOOOO thankful it was me and not one of our kids.
If your gut is nervous about something, listen to it!