Alpine theme parks are the place to be in the summer. When you think of summer in the Alps, your mind probably jumps to hiking trails, mountain bikes, and summit beers – not rollercoasters and water slides. But in among the peaks are a handful of surprisingly wild theme parks combining Alpine scenery with adrenaline-fuelled fun. Whether you’re looking to mix it up after a morning hike or break up a rainy down day, these parks offer everything from high-speed coasters to wakeboarding, zip lines, and enchanted forests for the littlies.
We’ve rounded up six of the best between France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, where you can scream your way through the mountains.
Walibi RhôneAlpes
Where: Les Avenières, France
Price: €29-59
Open: Year-round (weekends only during off-season)
Best For: Thrill seekers
Located one hour’s drive southwest of Annecy, Walibi offers a punchy mix of high-octane coasters and family splash fun that Welove2ski Editor Nicola can attest to: “I went here with the whole family last summer and it’s amazing – some seriously terrifying rides for those in need of an adrenaline hit with no altitude required.” Expect inverted loops, soaked shoes, and the new Mahuka single-rail beast slicing through temple ruins. It’s got just enough edge for thrill-seekers, but with family-friendly charm that makes it a solid detour on your summer mountain trip.
Nicola adds: “Mahuka was unlike any rollercoaster I’ve ever seen or ridden. You are in single file, and the track is so smooth, it really is confusing just how fast you are going. My sons (7 and 10) loved the part where you are inverted over water and you feel like your hair could touch it!”
“The family favourite was Mystic. It has the steepest drop I can remember for a rollercoaster and some of the best turns too. The coolest part is when the track ‘runs-out’ and you stop just before the end and then go in reverse. 10 out of 10! Of course, there are other options for those looking for something a little less wild, but the cool thing is how even the younger rides are exciting for adults too.
“I realise most people will only be interested in what rides there are, but don’t underestimate how important it is for a theme park to be modern and clean and have good amenities too (plenty of places to get descent food). We found Walibi to tick all these boxes. The rides all seemed in top condition, the park was super tidy, and the queues, from the entrance to the individual rides, were all well managed. The layout of the park is well-designed, being comfortably walkable but big enough to feel like you are not re-tracing your steps.
“One way of getting the lay of the land is to ride ‘Le Totem’ tower, which shoots you up to 55 metres vertical in a butter-smooth whoosh with lightning acceleration, apparently pulling 5 Gs – the best part was not knowing when the ride operators was going to push the ‘Go’ button – it caught me mid-conversation with the person next to me every time. We are definitely going back to Walibi – with or without the kids! One of the best alpine theme parks in the alps.
Happyland
Where: Valais, Switzerland
Price: CHF 19-25.50 (age 0-3 go free)
Open: March for summer
Best For: Little legs
Happyland blends retro amusement park charm with Alpine sunshine in Valais. It’s compact but surprisingly varied with slides, merry-go-rounds, and Splash River, a decent log flume that easily earns its name. While the rides are more nostalgic than next-gen, the setting among the vineyards, pine trees and high peaks, makes it an enjoyable spot to relax while the kids burn off their third ice cream. It’s ideal for families looking for some easy-going fun after a morning on the trail or at a nearby lake.
Fantasiana Erlebnispark
Where: Straßwalchen, Salzburg, Austria
Price: €27.50-33.50 (under 90cm go free)
Open: April – October
Best For: Fairytale fans
Okay, so this park isn’t quite in the mountains, but it’s located just 45 minutes outside of Salzburg and is well worth a visit, especially for children under 12. With some serious attention to detail, this park has created a mismatched fantasy world with the wild west, Dracula’s castle, and a safari village creating colourful spectacles. This spring, it debuted Helios, a new roller coaster with three inversions – 60 seconds of pure adrenaline-filled joy that’s as random for a small park like this, as it is thrilling. With fairytale forests, animatronics galore, and monthly late-night events, Fantasiana is nostalgia, theme-park-thrills and theatrical charm all rolled into one.
Area 47
Where: Ötztal, Austria
Price: Varies (single activities and multi-day packages available)
Open: May – October (selected attractions open in winter)
Best For: Outdoor action addicts (of all ages)
Not your average theme park, Area 47 is where you go to hurl yourself off platforms, surf standing waves, and cannonball into glacier lakes. Austria’s wildest outdoor playground fuses action sports with alpine activities, which is why it is in our top alpine theme parks list. Think canyoning, wakeboarding, high ropes, swings and bungee jumps, all served up with a side of extreme and set beneath towering rock faces and zip-lines stretching into the clouds. More Mission Impossible than Mickey Mouse, this is the park for people who think rollercoasters are too tame.
Alpyland
Where: Summit of Mottarone, near Stresa (Lake Maggiore), Italy
Price: Starts at €5.50 (packages available)
Open: Year round
Best For: Coaster lovers (who’d rather pilot their own ride)
Alpyland is simply a 1,200m alpine coaster launching off at 1,490m, twisting through pine woods with Lake Maggiore and mountain panoramas for company. Riders sit in two-seater bob sleighs and can pull the brakes or charge at full gas to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. Although there’s nothing else to Alpyland, it’s refreshingly low-tech and superbly scenic. The perfect afternoon adventure for families or anyone who needs persuading to walk up a mountain, with lots of nearby trails to enjoy and an exhilarating descent.
Hexenwasser (Witches’ Water)
Where: Hochsöll (Söll), Tyrol, Austria
Price: €14-35
Open: May – November
Best For: Barefoot wanderers
Hexenwasser is a sensory playground built around water, nature, and Alpine folklore. Picture barefoot trails, Kneipp pools, bubbling brooks, and more than 60 interactive stations that bring local witch legends to life. Sip herbal teas in a 300-year-old farm, experiment in the indoor water lab, or join a guided HeXpedition with a real witch. Evening fire-lit hikes and moonlit gondola rides add extra magic to this part-nature spa, part-mythic adventure, perfect for families and anyone who’s not too old to believe in a little witchcraft.
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