Steel Venom is a thrilling, steel-launched roller coaster located at Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota. This Intamin-designed impulse coaster features a U-shaped track with two 185-foot tall vertical spikes at each end. The ride accelerates riders forward and backward using a magnetic launch system, reaching speeds up to 68 mph. One spike includes a twisting spiral, while the other features a straight track, creating a heart-pounding experience as riders ascend and descend in both directions. The suspenseful feeling of weightlessness at the peaks of each spike, combined with the launch sequences, makes Steel Venom a favorite for adrenaline seekers.
Steel Venom offers a combination of speed, height, and intense sensations that make it a standout thrill ride. Here are the key elements that contribute to its excitement:
- Magnetic Launch System: Unlike traditional coasters, Steel Venom uses a linear induction motor to launch riders forward and backward at high speeds. The sudden acceleration creates an adrenaline rush from the moment the ride begins.
- Forward and Backward Launches: The ride doesn’t just move in one direction; it repeatedly shoots riders forward and backward, building anticipation with each pass as it gains momentum to reach the towering spikes.
- Towering Vertical Spikes: Steel Venom’s two 185-foot vertical spikes offer an intense sensation of weightlessness. One of the spikes twists, adding a disorienting spin, while the other provides a straight ascent and drop, giving riders different experiences in a single ride.
- Weightless Suspense: As the train momentarily pauses at the peak of each spike, riders experience a thrilling moment of weightlessness before plummeting back down, creating a rush that is both exhilarating and slightly terrifying.
- Repetitive Momentum Build: The ride’s multiple forward and backward launches intensify with each pass, building up speed and height, which keeps riders on the edge of their seats throughout the experience.
The combination of rapid launches, high-speed movements, vertical ascents, and moments of weightlessness all contribute to the ride's excitement, making Steel Venom a must-ride for thrill-seekers.
Steel Venom features a U-shaped track with two vertical towers, one twisted and one straight. Riders are launched forward and backward at speeds of up to 68 mph, experiencing weightlessness as they ascend the towers. The train is equipped with magnetic brakes that create a suspenseful "hold" moment at the peak of the straight tower before plunging back down. With its intense speed, rapid direction changes, and exhilarating vertical climbs, Steel Venom delivers an adrenaline-pumping experience for coaster enthusiasts.