Massanutten Resort in Virginia has added another reason to visit outside the ski season. The Mid-Atlantic resort officially opened its new Mountain Mayhem mountain coaster on July 10, according to the resort’s Facebook page. The 3,380-foot (1-kilometer) attraction is the first dual-seat “Fun Coaster” installed in the United States by French mountain infrastructure manufacturer MND. Designed to support Massanutten’s continued evolution into a four-season destination, the coaster combines rider-controlled thrills with sweeping views of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
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Known primarily as one of the largest ski destinations in the Mid-Atlantic, Massanutten has spent the past decade steadily expanding beyond winter. The 6,000-acre resort not only boasts Virginia’s largest vertical drop but also offers mountain biking, golf, zip lines, indoor and outdoor waterparks, hiking, dining, live entertainment, and family activities. Adding a mountain coaster follows a growing trend across North American ski resorts as operators invest in attractions that generate visitation year-round.
Located within the resort’s Family Adventure Park, Mountain Mayhem descends 2,156 feet (657 meters) over a total track length of 3,380 feet (1 kilometer). Riders navigate two full 360-degree spirals, multiple banked turns, and panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley during a ride lasting approximately six minutes. Unlike conventional roller coasters, each rider controls their own speed using a manual braking system, allowing for anything from a leisurely scenic ride to speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h).
Unlike many traditional alpine coasters, MND’s “Fun Coaster” features elevated seating designed to enhance the sensation of speed while maintaining rider comfort. The attraction offers both single- and double-rider toboggans. Children between four and 12 years old must ride with someone aged 13 or older, while solo riders must be at least 13. Riders under five feet (1.5 meters) tall must also be accompanied by an adult. Double-rider sleds have a maximum combined weight limit of 350 pounds (159 kilograms).
The coaster is available as a standalone attraction, with single rides priced at $18 for adults or $24 for one adult and one child. It is also included in several Family Adventure Park activity packages alongside zip lines, climbing walls, tubing, and quick-flight jumps. To help manage demand, guests reserve specific ride time slots when booking online.
While alpine coasters have become increasingly common across North American ski resorts, Mountain Mayhem represents a milestone for MND, whose dual-seat “Fun Coaster” model has never before been installed in the United States. The French company is well known throughout Europe for ski lifts, snowmaking equipment, avalanche safety infrastructure, and mountain attractions. Its leisure portfolio includes the giant zipline at Chamrousse, France, and aerial adventure installations at China’s Canton Tower. “Year after year, MND is establishing itself as a major international player in the high-thrill leisure market,” MND President Xavier Gallot-Lavallée said in a press release.
Massanutten joins a growing list of North American ski resorts investing heavily in summer infrastructure. Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, roughly two hours from both Washington, D.C., and Richmond, the resort has become one of the East Coast’s premier drive-to mountain destinations. During winter, Massanutten operates 40 trails served by 14 lifts across approximately 70 acres of skiable terrain and features one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most extensive snowmaking systems. Combined with its waterparks, golf courses, bike park, zip lines, lodging, and now Mountain Mayhem, the resort continues its transformation into a true year-round mountain destination.
