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Sidewinder

Steel Launched at Elitch Gardens, Denver, Colorado. Opened 1995.

Height
56 ft
Drop
47 ft
Top speed
45 mph
Length
635 ft
Inversions
1
Ride time
1 min 6 s
Designer
Arrow Dynamics

Sidewinder is a steel shuttle loop roller coaster at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado. The park calls it a classic steel looping coaster. An electric winch launches the train forward through a single loop and then backward through it again.

The ride is an Arrow Dynamics Launched Loop. It first ran at Magic Springs in Arkansas as Roaring Tornado. Elitch Gardens bought it and installed it at the park's previous location in 1990, then rebuilt it at the downtown park, where it has run since the park opened on May 27, 1995. RCDB lists it as standing but not operating from 2023 until it reopened on June 27, 2025.

RCDB gives a length of 635 feet, a height of 56 feet, a 47-foot drop, a top speed of 45 mph and one inversion, with a ride time of 1 minute 6 seconds. The single train has six cars and carries 24 riders.

Sources

  • rcdb.com/209.htm (RCDB: operating since 1995-05-27; Arrow Dynamics Launched Loop; length 635 ft, height 56 ft, drop 47 ft, 45 mph, 1 inversion, duration 1:06; electric winch launch, loop; single train of 6 cars, 24 riders; SBNO 2023 to 2025-06-27; relocated from Magic Springs (Roaring Tornado) and the old Elitch Gardens.)
  • elitchgardens.com/attractions/sidewinder (Park page: 'Classic steel-looping coaster'; installed in 1990 at the park's previous location, reconstructed at its current home in 1995; 48-inch minimum height.)

Numbers are from the ride's manufacturer and park where published; "n/a" means we have not confirmed that number yet. Spotted an error? Tell us.