Wildfire

Record-Breaking Engineering Marvel

Wildfire stands as a testament to innovative coaster design, crafted by Rocky Mountain Construction with their signature Topper Track system. Towering 56 meters high—joint-tallest wooden coaster globally and Europe's fastest at 115 km/h—this hybrid wooden-steel ride navigates extreme terrain seamlessly. The 1265-meter layout packs three inversions and twelve airtime hills into a two-minute journey, starting with a chain lift to 57 meters before an 83-degree, 49-meter plunge that catapults trains to top speed.

Thrilling Ride Layout

From the crest, riders bank right into the near-vertical drop, then surge into the signature inverted zero-G stall, hanging upside down for three seconds in a mix of floater airtime and intense hang-time. This flows into a sharp outside-banked airtime hill with powerful lateral forces, followed by twisting turns, a heartline roll over rockwork, more ejector hills, and a second heartline roll. The finale features slalom-style s-curves through woodland before braking, with the first half delivering peak intensity amid natural cliffs and trees.

Integration with Kolmården's Landscape

Nestled in Kolmården's forested hills near Norrköping, Wildfire exploits the park's rugged topography, with half its height from natural elevation. The structure blends into the scenery, offering glimpses of sea views, dense woods, and rocky outcrops during the ascent and drops. Surrounded by zoo exhibits like tiger worlds and safari paths, the coaster dominates the Marine World area, enhancing the park's wild atmosphere where animal habitats meet mechanical thrills.

Eventful Path to Operation

Announced in 2014 as a 110 million SEK investment, Wildfire debuted in 2016 as Rocky Mountain Construction's first European project, with Vekoma handling controls. Operations halted briefly in late 2016 due to permit issues over environmental planning, sparking demolition rumors. After rezoning approval in 2017, it reopened in June, solidifying its place amid the zoo's evolution from safari origins to a multifaceted wildlife and ride destination.

Signature Elements and Sensations

Key highlights include the zero-G stall's unnatural floating sensation, the drop's out-of-seat pull, and early airtime moments that eject riders against restraints. While later sections lose some pace climbing back up hills, the layout's terrain-hugging path and smooth wooden ride quality maintain excitement. Views from the lift hill showcase Sweden's Östergötland region, merging coaster forces with immersive natural beauty for a multisensory rush.