Ontario's real-life Mario Kart racetrack officially open for the season but there's a catch

Niagara Speedway in the Ontario city of Niagara Falls is officially open for the season, and you know what that means: a 2,000+ foot concrete race track, designed with spirals and curves that feel like a Mario Kart game come to life. 

Touted as the country's "most innovative motorsports attraction," Niagara Speedway, which first opened in Clifton Hill in 2018, promises a more elevated experience than your average go-karting venue.

The attraction, which typically sees long lineups every day, specially in warmer weather, features rollercoaster-style ramps and a four-storey helix that adds to the adrenaline rush. A total of 36 high-performance karts can take the track at once, all whizzing along at speeds of up to 32 km/h in 9 hP Honda engine-powered karts.

Visitors should note that there are height restrictions for riding and driving. The minimum driver height is 58 inches tall (4 feet, 8 inches), while passengers must be at least 40 inches tall (3 feet, 3 inches) to ride. 

The racetrack is now open Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m — but there's a catch.

Due to unexpected snow squalls, Niagara Speedway has been closing intermittently since the weather conditions aren't ideal. With the forecast currently calling for more snow in the Niagara region, the track remains closed until the weather clears.

"We're aiming to have the track open again by the weekend. But with the unexpected snow, it's tough to gauge. We're hopeful it will reopen by then," a Niagara Speedway representative tells blogTO.

Tickets for the attraction are available online. A driver ticket costs $14, while a passenger ticket is $5, and both are subject to HST and include approximately five minutes of driving time.

Niagara Speedway is located at 4960 Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ont.