Sweden's Kolmården building Europe's fastest wooden coaster
By amusementtoday | April 9, 2014
At the top of the first climb, guests will be 132 meters (433 feet) above the blue waters of Bråviken bay, with a fantastic view over Kolmården’s beautiful scenery. At the crest, the view suddenly gives way as riders plunge 49 metres (161 feet) down toward the bottom of the ravine at an 83-degree angle in free fall with speeds passing 110 km/h (71 MPH) as riders approach the start of the next ascent and enter an Inverted Zero G Stall. The train then speeds onwards through the woods along the 1.3 kilometers (4,266 feet) of track. Wildfire races between the treetops and the sensation that the laws of physics are being broken continues right up to the end.
“For a long time, our goal has been to build the world’s best roller coaster at Kolmården. The challenge has been to develop a world class roller coaster that blends in with the extraordinary landscape and the park’s atmosphere. This has finally been made possible thanks to modern technology. We are delighted that this dream can finally be realised,” says Johan Tidstrand, principal owner of Parks and Resorts.
Wildfire, which will openat Kolmården in the spring of 2016, belongs to the new generation of wooden roller coasters. The ride is being built using new, patented technology that is revolutionising and pushing the boundaries for wooden coasters. The first roller coaster to use the new technology was built in 2013 at the Silver Dollar City theme park. Wildfire will be the first roller coaster of its type outside the USA. The result is a 57-meter high, 1.3 kilometer-long track with a maximum speed of 113 km/h, three inversions and 12 airtime hills (4 with negative G). Wildfire will also be quieter than wooden roller coasters in general.
“We have taken some of the best elements of the world’s best roller coasters, added new ideas and created a unique ride. The result is Wildfire, a ride with so much air time, action and intensity that it will have no equal. The two-minute ride through Kolmården’s dramatic terrain high above the waters of Bråviken bay, will make it the world’s best wooden coaster,” says Peter Osbeck, Ride Manager at Parks and Resorts.
Wildfire is being built using Swedish lumber.
“Wildfire, along with the other investments at the park, is being built in order to develop Kolmården as one of Sweden’s top destinations. By continuously expanding the park, Kolmården will become an even better destination and we can attract more visitors. This will enable us to reach out to more people with our public education initiatives,” says Mats Olsson, CEO at Kolmården.
The name Wildfire has a strong link to the natural and cultural history of the area. Wildfires helped to shape the landscape and have been critical to the unique biodiversity that has been preserved in the area until this day.
Wildfire will open in 2016.
