Untamed

Canobie Lake Park, located in Salem, New Hampshire, is known for its charming blend of classic amusement park attractions and modern thrills. One of its most exhilarating rides is Untamed, a steel roller coaster that promises a wild journey through the wilderness. With its fierce bear-themed decor, vertical lift, and breathtaking loops, Untamed is designed to test the courage of even the most seasoned thrill-seekers. This article dives into the details of the ride, covering its history, features, and what makes it a must-try experience for visitors.

The Story Behind the Coaster

Opened in June 2011, Untamed was introduced as a way to expand Canobie Lake Park’s thrill ride offerings. It replaced the old Boston Tea Party ride, a classic water attraction, and quickly became a favorite among coaster enthusiasts. The theme of the ride is centered around a wild bear on the loose, making the experience feel like a daring adventure through untamed woods. The coaster’s track, colored green and brown, blends perfectly into the natural surroundings, enhancing the ride’s wilderness theme.

Ride Specifications

Untamed is a Euro-Fighter roller coaster manufactured by Gerstlauer, a company known for creating some of the most intense coaster experiences in the world. It boasts several unique elements and features:

• Height: 72 feet
• Drop Angle: 97 degrees (steeper than vertical)
• Top Speed: 44 miles per hour
• Track Length: 1,184 feet
• Ride Duration: Approximately 1 minute and 20 seconds
• Inversions: 3 (including a heartline roll, a vertical loop, and a zero-gravity roll)

What sets Untamed apart from many other roller coasters is its vertical lift and beyond-vertical drop, which create a thrilling sensation of free-fall. The drop, at a 97-degree angle, is one of the steepest in the park’s history and provides an adrenaline-pumping start to the ride.

Key Features of Untamed

The design of Untamed combines a compact layout with smooth transitions, creating a dynamic experience packed with thrills. Here are some of its standout features:

• The Bear Claw Lift Hill: Riders are slowly lifted vertically, giving them a few seconds to take in the beautiful view of the park before they are suddenly dropped down a steep 97-degree drop.
• Heartline Roll: One of the ride’s signature inversions, the heartline roll, flips riders upside down while maintaining smooth, heart-shaped curves.
• Vertical Loop: As the train exits the first drop, it enters a towering vertical loop, adding a sense of disorientation and excitement.
• Zero-G Roll: A unique element where riders feel completely weightless as the train twists and turns along the track.

The Theming and Queue Experience

Canobie Lake Park has gone to great lengths to ensure that Untamed is more than just a coaster—it’s an immersive experience. The bear-themed entrance greets riders with a massive bear claw sculpture, and the queue line is designed to resemble a rustic campsite, complete with wooden posts, lanterns, and forest-themed decor. The sounds of the wilderness echo through the queue area, enhancing the sense of anticipation as riders await their turn.

Who Should Ride Untamed?

Untamed is best suited for visitors who love the rush of high-speed thrills and daring inversions. Due to its intense nature, the ride has a height requirement of 48 inches, ensuring that only those ready for a true thrill experience can partake. Riders who appreciate intricate coaster designs, smooth ride dynamics, and exhilarating inversions will not be disappointed.

Safety and Accessibility

Canobie Lake Park has implemented a range of safety features to ensure a secure experience for riders. The trains are equipped with over-the-shoulder harnesses and lap bars, providing a snug fit for riders. Additionally, the coaster is regularly inspected and maintained to meet strict safety standards.

Fun Facts About Untamed

• Untamed’s beyond-vertical drop makes it the steepest coaster in New England.
• The bear-themed design of the ride was inspired by the wild nature surrounding the park.
• The coaster has a total of 4 trains, each seating up to 8 passengers.
• Untamed is one of only a handful of Euro-Fighter coasters in the United States, making it a unique experience for coaster enthusiasts.

Tips for Riding Untamed

To get the most out of your ride on Untamed, here are a few tips:

1. Ride Early or Late: To avoid long wait times, try to ride early in the morning or later in the evening.
2. Choose Your Seat Wisely: The front seat offers the best view, especially during the vertical lift and drop, while the back provides more intensity through the inversions.
3. Secure Loose Articles: Due to the intense nature of the ride, make sure all loose articles are stored in the provided bins or lockers.

Untamed is more than just a roller coaster—it’s an adventure through a wilderness packed with intense drops, thrilling inversions, and high-speed turns. Whether you’re a roller coaster enthusiast or just looking for an unforgettable thrill, Untamed delivers an experience that will leave your heart racing and your spirit soaring. When visiting Canobie Lake Park, make sure to take on this beast of a ride and see if you have what it takes to brave the wilderness!