The Fforest Coaster is the UK’s first and longest alpine coaster, sending riders through a kilometre of Eryri (Snowdonia) woodland at speeds of up to 25mph. The headline price of £31.00 now carries a mandatory £5 booking fee on top, a detail some older listings and resellers leave out of their advertised price. You can book through GetYourGuide to arrange your ride in advance.
Quick facts
| Address | Betws-y-coed, Conwy, Wales, LL24 0HX |
| Opening hours | Open all year, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day |
| Admission | From £31.00, plus a £5 booking fee |
| Nearest transit | Local train and bus routes into Betws-y-Coed |
| Typical visit duration | Up to 1 hour |
Why book tickets for the Fforest Coaster?
- 🏛️ A genuine UK first: The Fforest Coaster is the UK’s first and longest alpine coaster, running a full kilometre through the trees.
- 🎟️ Three rides included: Every ticket gives you three runs down the track to build your confidence and speed.
- 🌿 A scenic climb first: A peaceful four-minute ascent through the forest precedes each high-speed descent.
- 📜 Dog friendly: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on-site, as long as they’re not riding the coaster themselves.
- 💰 Book early, save more: Reserve 90 days ahead for 15% off, or 60 days ahead for 10% off.
Opening hours at the Fforest Coaster
Zip World Betws-y-Coed opens every day of the year, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Exact daily time slots vary by season, so check the online booking calendar for available times on your chosen date. Arrive 30 minutes before your slot to check in and collect your wristband.
Ticket prices for the Fforest Coaster
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard adventure ticket | From £31.00 |
| Booking fee | +£5.00 |
| Camera add-on (one ride filmed) | From £8.50 |
| Book 90+ days ahead | 15% off |
| Book 60+ days ahead | 10% off |
| Book 30+ days ahead | 5% off |
Early-bird discounts apply only to individual adventure tickets, not to bundles, group tickets, vouchers or event bookings. To lock in a time slot before you travel, book through GetYourGuide.
How to get to the Fforest Coaster
By car: Zip World Betws-y-Coed sits just off the A470, a short distance from Betws-y-Coed village, with clear signage from the main road.
By train: Betws-y-Coed has its own station on the Conwy Valley line, within easy reach of the village centre, a short onward journey from the site.
By bus: local bus routes serve Betws-y-Coed village, connecting to nearby towns along the Conwy Valley.
Parking at the Fforest Coaster
Parking is available on-site, right outside check-in, though standard car parking charges apply. Parking is free when you pre-book two or more adventures at the same location.
How long to spend at the Fforest Coaster
The full experience, including check-in, safety briefing and three rides, takes up to an hour. The ascent alone takes around four minutes each time, so budget extra if riding all three times back to back.
Accessibility at the Fforest Coaster
Zip World accepts the Access Card from Nimbus Disability, offering priority check-in and a free essential companion ticket for holders with the +1 symbol. Betws-y-Coed is built on varying terrain, including steep hills, so some adventures may not be accessible for everyone; call ahead on 01248 601 444 to discuss specific needs. Disabled parking is available close to check-in, and assistance dogs are welcome on-site, though not permitted on the ride itself.
What to expect from the Fforest Coaster
Check-in and briefing. Arrive 30 minutes early, collect your wristband, then take a short walk to the boarding station for a safety briefing.
The ascent. Board your sledge solo or with a partner, then sit back for a roughly four-minute climb through 300 metres of forest track.
The descent. Grip the two brake levers to control your speed down the remaining 700 metres, pushing forward to go faster or pulling back to slow down.
Three rides. Repeat the climb and descent up to three times per ticket, adjusting your pace and partner each time.
After the ride. The finish line sits right next to the Snac Shac and the woodland Tipi Bar, ideal for refuelling afterwards.
Practical visitor tips for the Fforest Coaster
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Factor in the booking fee | The advertised price doesn’t include the mandatory £5 booking fee |
| Book early for savings | 90+ days ahead saves 15%, the largest discount on offer |
| Check the height and weight rules | Minimum driver height is 1m; total participant weight must stay under 150kg |
| Dress for the weather | Warm, comfortable clothing and trainers or walking boots are recommended |
| Pre-book two adventures for free parking | Parking charges are waived when you book two or more adventures at once |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the advertised price include everything? | No, a £5 booking fee applies on top of the ticket price |
| How many rides do I get? | Three rides are included with every ticket |
| Can children ride alone? | Only from age 9 and a height of 1m or more; younger children must share a sledge with a participating adult |
| Is the site dog friendly? | Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome, but they cannot ride the coaster |
| Is the Fforest Coaster open all year? | Yes, every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day |
Things to do near the Fforest Coaster
Betws-y-Coed village, a short drive or bus ride away, offers shops, cafés and the Conwy Valley Railway Museum. The Swallow Falls, one of Wales’ best-known waterfalls, sits just outside the village.
The Snowdonia National Park visitor centre in Betws-y-Coed provides walking route advice for the surrounding hills. For more Zip World adventures at the same site, Zip Safari, Plummet, Skyride, Treetop Nets and Tiny Trek are all bookable at the same reception.
Alternative adventure parks and thrill rides within two hours
Zip World Llechwedd, Blaenau Ffestiniog. Underground zip lines and trampolines in a former slate cavern, around 20 minutes from Betws-y-Coed.
Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda. Home to Europe’s fastest zip line, roughly 30 minutes away.
Surf Snowdonia, Dolgarrog. An inland surf lagoon offering perfect waves on demand, about 20 minutes from Betws-y-Coed.
GreenWood Family Park, near Y Felinheli. Home to Wales’ first gravity-powered wooden rollercoaster, around 45 minutes away.
The National Whitewater Centre, Bala. White-water rafting and kayaking on a former Olympic training course, roughly 45 minutes from Betws-y-Coed.
More Wales travel
Other Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to Chepstow Castle in Monmouthshire.
- Key information for visiting Monmouth Castle in South Wales.
- Getting the most out of Caerphilly Castle – the second biggest castle in Britain.
- What to expect at the Meadows Wildlife Park in Caerphilly.
- How to get the best out of a visit to Pembroke Castle.
