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Wiegand Products in The World's Alpine Coaster Capital, TN

  • Writer: Wiegand Sports Marketing
    Wiegand Sports Marketing
  • Jun 26
  • 6 min read

Updated: Jun 29

Wiegand Sports USA Alpine Coaster

Against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have earned a reputation as the Alpine Coaster Capital of the world. Nowhere else in the world can visitors find such a concentration of mountain coasters, adventure rides, and family attractions packed into a single destination. From the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster that helped launch the region's coaster boom to signature attractions like Hellbender Mountain Coaster, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster, Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster, and The Goat Coaster, Wiegand Sports has helped shape the adventure landscape of the Smokies. Today, millions of guests each year experience the thrill of Wiegand-engineered attractions throughout one of the most visited mountain destinations in North America.

Wiegand Products in The World's Alpine Coaster Capital, TN

Before earning its reputation as America's Alpine Coaster Capital, the Smokies were already one of the nation's most visited mountain destinations. As demand for outdoor adventure attractions grew, Wiegand Sports partnered with operators across Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville to bring new experiences to the region. Over the years, these projects have expanded beyond traditional Alpine Coasters to include CoasterKarts, adventure slides, and family attractions that continue to draw millions of visitors each year. The following attractions showcase Wiegand's presence throughout the Smokies, highlighting the rides, installation years, and destinations that have helped make this region a benchmark for mountain adventure in North America. How Wiegand Wiegand Products in The World's Alpine Coaster Capital, TN


Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2013

Attraction Type: Wiegand Alpine Coaster


Wiegand Mountain Coaster Tenesse

When Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster opened in 2013, it helped introduce a new era of mountain attractions to the Smokies. As the region's first Alpine Coasters, it quickly became a must-visit experience for families, thrill seekers, and vacationers exploring Pigeon Forge. The ride combines scenic mountain views with the excitement of a gravity-driven descent, giving riders control over their speed as they navigate twists, turns, and downhill curves through the natural terrain.

More than a decade later, Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster remains one of the area's most recognized attractions and helped pave the way for the growth of the mountain coaster industry throughout East Tennessee. Its success demonstrated the demand for year-round outdoor adventure experiences and contributed to the Smokies becoming America's Alpine Coaster Capital.


Moonshine Mountain Coaster

Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2014

Attraction Type: Wiegand Alpine Coaster


Moonshine Mountain Coaster by Wiegand Sports USA

Perched on the hillside just outside downtown Gatlinburg, Moonshine Mountain Coaster offers guests a mountain adventure that blends scenic views with an exciting downhill ride. It was the first Alpine Coaster in Gatlinburg.


The ride features a winding descent through the natural terrain, allowing riders to control their speed as they navigate curves and drops along the mountainside. Its convenient location near Gatlinburg's many attractions has helped make it a favorite among families and adventure seekers alike.


The Coaster at Goats on the Roof

Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2014

Attraction Type: Wiegand Alpine Coaster


Goats on the roof coaster

Located at the popular Goats on the Roof attraction in Pigeon Forge, The Coaster at Goats on the Roof has become one of the most recognizable mountain coaster experiences in the Smokies. Since opening in 2014, it is known for its unique setting and memorable name. Its success further strengthened the Smokies' reputation as a premier destination for mountain coaster enthusiasts and showcased how alpine coasters can become signature attractions within a larger entertainment experience. Today, The Coaster at Goats on the Roof remains one of the many Wiegand-built attractions helping define the adventure landscape of East Tennessee.


Ripley's Mountain Coaster

Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2016

Attraction Type: Wiegand Alpine Coaster


Ripleys Mountain Coaster

Situated in the heart of Gatlinburg, Ripley's Mountain Coaster brought another major alpine coaster experience to one of the Smokies' most visited destinations. Opened in 2020 as part of the renowned Ripley's attraction portfolio, the coaster delivers a thrilling ride through the mountainside while giving guests complete control over their speed and riding experience.


Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2018

Attraction Type: Wiegand Alpine Coaster


rocky top mountain coaster

Stretching across more than 20 acres of scenic mountain terrain, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster offers one of the longest and most immersive Alpine Coaster experiences in the Smokies.


Opened in 2018, the attraction was designed to take full advantage of the natural landscape, giving riders an extended journey through wooded hillsides, winding curves, and dramatic elevation changes. It features four up tracks and four down tracks.


Unlike many traditional amusement rides, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster allows guests to experience the mountain itself as part of the adventure. Riders control their own speed as they navigate the course, creating an experience that can be enjoyed by both thrill seekers and families alike.


Ski Lift Shootout Coaster

Location: Rowdy Bear's Smoky Mountain Snowpark, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2019

Attraction Type: Alpine Flyer


Ski Lift Shootout Coaster delivers an adventure unlike any other in the Smokies. Opened in 2019, the Wiegand Alpine Flyer combines the excitement of a suspended coaster with an interactive laser game, allowing riders to compete by aiming at more than 50 targets along the course. It is recognized as North America's first Alpine Flyer ride and remains one of the region's most distinctive attractions.

ski lift shootout coaster

The attraction showcases Wiegand Sports' ability to push beyond traditional ride experiences, blending family-friendly thrills with interactive technology. As part of Rowdy Bear's growing lineup of adventure attractions, Ski Lift Shootout Coaster adds another one-of-a-kind experience to America's Alpine Coaster Capital.


CoasterKart at Rowdy Bear

Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2020

Attraction Type: Coasterkart


coasterkart at rowdy bear

Rowdy Bear's Coasterkart provides a Coasterkart experience with a distinctive twist. Launched in 2020, this attraction features an electrically powered ride that allows patrons to control their descent down a track.

Located in the heart of Pigeon Forge, the CoasterKart has become a popular stop for families and thrill seekers looking for a fast-paced adventure. Its addition to the region's growing lineup of mountain attractions further highlights the Smokies as the premier destination for coaster experiences in the United States.


Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster

Location: SkyLand Ranch, Sevierville, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2022

Attraction Type: Alpine Coaster


skyland ranch mountain coaster

Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster brought a new mountain adventure to SkyLand Ranch when it opened in 2023. Designed to complement the ranch's scenic setting, the coaster takes riders on a winding journey down the hillside with a mix of curves, drops, and mountain views with two uptrack and two down tracks.

As one of the newest additions to the Smokies' growing collection of alpine coasters, Wild Stallion continues the region's tradition of delivering memorable outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages. Its arrival further strengthens East Tennessee's position as America's Alpine Coaster Capital.


BirdVenture at Anakeesta

Location: Anakeesta, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2023


Anakesta bird venture

BirdVenture brings a different kind of outdoor adventure to Anakeesta.


Opened in 2023, the attraction features Wiegand's stainless steel slides integrated into a multi-level play experience inspired by the birds and forests of the Great Smoky Mountains.


Designed for guests of all ages, BirdVenture complements Anakeesta's lineup of thrill attractions by offering an engaging, family-focused experience. It demonstrates how Wiegand Sports goes beyond alpine coasters to create attractions that encourage exploration, active play, and memorable experiences in one of America's top mountain destinations.


Hellbender Mountain Coaster

Location: Anakeesta, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2023

Attraction Type: Wiegand Alpine Coaster

Hellbender coaster

Named after the legendary salamander native to the Appalachian region, Hellbender Mountain Coaster introduced a new level of mountain adventure to Anakeesta when it opened in 2023. As one of the park's signature attractions, the coaster combines the excitement of a gravity-driven ride with sweeping views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains.


Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster

Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Installation Year: 2025


The Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster introduced a new chapter in mountain coaster innovation when it opened in 2025. As the world's only true racing mountain coaster, the attraction features two parallel tracks with two uphill and two downhill tracks that allow riders to race side by side while tracking their times and competing for the fastest finish.

The racing coaster

Designed and manufactured by Wiegand Sports, the coaster blends the excitement of competitive racing with the classic alpine coaster experience. With rider-controlled speeds, panoramic Smoky Mountain views, and interactive leaderboard features, it delivers a one-of-a-kind attraction that continues to strengthen the Smokies' reputation as America's Alpine Coaster Capital.


From the first alpine coasters that introduced a new kind of mountain adventure to the latest innovations in racing coasters, CoasterKarts, interactive attractions, and adventure slides, Wiegand Sports has helped shape one of the world's most exciting outdoor tourism destinations. Today, the Smokies are home to the highest concentration of Wiegand attractions in North America, welcoming millions of visitors every year. As the region continues to grow, Wiegand remains committed to partnering with visionary operators to create attractions that inspire adventure, bring families together, and set new standards for the industry.

 
 
 

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