Behemoth is a steel hyper coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario. Standing 230 feet (70 meters) tall with a 226-foot first drop and a top speed of 77 mph (124 km/h), it opened to the public on May 4, 2008, instantly claiming the titles of tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada.
The ride covers 5,318 feet of track in roughly three minutes and ten seconds, delivering relentless airtime across five hills — all without a single inversion. Below, we break down the exact opening date and history, full stats, height requirements, and how Behemoth stacks up against the rest of the park’s coaster lineup today.
Quick Answer
Behemoth opened to the public on May 4, 2008 at Canada’s Wonderland. It stands 230 feet (70 m) tall, plunges 226 feet (69 m) on its first drop at a 75-degree angle, reaches a top speed of 77 mph (124 km/h), and requires riders to be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall, with a maximum height limit of 80 inches (203 cm).
Stats at a Glance
Park: Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Type: Steel Hyper Coaster. Opened: May 4, 2008. Height: 230 ft (70 m). Drop: 226 ft (69 m). Drop angle: 75 degrees. Top speed: 77 mph (124 km/h). Track length: 5,318 ft (1,620.9 m). Duration: approximately 3 min 10 sec. Inversions: 0.
G-force: 4.5 maximum. Trains: 3 trains, 32 riders each (8 cars, 4 seats per car). Hourly capacity: approximately 1,545 riders. Reported cost: C$26 million. Height requirement: minimum 54 in (137 cm), maximum 80 in (203 cm).
When Did Behemoth Open? Full Ride History
Behemoth opened in 2008 — specifically on May 4, 2008. The project was first announced on August 27, 2007, and Canada’s Wonderland described the roughly C$26 million investment as the single biggest addition in the park’s history up to that point. Steel construction of the track and support structure wrapped up on January 22, 2008, after about 17.5 months of planning and building.
Before opening to the general public, Behemoth ran a Media Day on April 24, 2008, followed by a Season Pass Preview Night on April 25, 2008, ahead of its official public debut on May 4, 2008. It became the 15th roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland and immediately took the crown as the tallest and fastest coaster in the country — a title it held until 2012, when the park opened the taller, faster Leviathan on the opposite side of the property.
As of the 2026 season, Behemoth is running its 18th year of operation. One notable mid-life change: seat belts were added to the trains starting in the 2014 season. The ride’s ownership also shifted in 2024, when Cedar Fair (Canada’s Wonderland’s former parent company) merged with Six Flags — the park is now operated under the Six Flags banner, though Behemoth’s layout, stats, and history remain unchanged.
How Tall Is Behemoth? Height, Drop, and Speed Explained
Behemoth’s lift hill rises to 230 feet (70 meters), making it clearly visible from across Canada’s Wonderland. From that peak, the train tips into a 226-foot (69-meter) plunge angled at 75 degrees — one of the steepest first drops on any hyper coaster built in its era, distinguishing it from earlier hypers that typically featured shallower 55–65 degree descents.
The 226-foot drop accelerates the train to 77 mph (124 km/h) in under 3.9 seconds. At the bottom, riders experience a maximum of 4.5 Gs before the layout immediately pivots into five consecutive airtime hills. To put the scale in perspective: Behemoth is taller than a 20-story office building, and its 5,318-foot (1.6 km) course is just over a mile long.
Height Requirement for Behemoth Riders
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm / 4 ft 6 in) tall to board Behemoth. There is also a maximum height restriction of 80 inches (203 cm / 6 ft 8 in) for very tall adults who may not fit safely in the restraint system. No separate minimum age is published — height is the qualifying factor for all riders.
At 54 inches, Behemoth shares its minimum with Leviathan, the park’s even taller giga coaster, making Behemoth a popular first major coaster before stepping up to Leviathan. Canada’s Wonderland enforces height requirements at each ride entrance and offers a height-check station near the park entrance where guests can get a wristband confirming which rides they meet requirements for.
The Ride Experience
Riders board one of three 32-passenger trains, each made up of eight cars with two rows of two seats. Behemoth debuted a prototype V-shaped, slightly staggered seating arrangement that was a first for B&M, giving outside-seat riders a completely unobstructed sightline over the track below.
After the lift, the train crests at 230 feet and immediately tips into the 226-foot drop, reaching 77 mph at the valley floor. The heart of the layout is five distinct airtime hills, followed by a wide hammerhead turnaround and two sweeping helixes that build lateral G-forces before the brake run — rounding out a ride lasting roughly three minutes and ten seconds. Three trains keep throughput near 1,545 riders per hour; early morning or the last hour before close are typically the best windows to minimize wait time.
How Does Behemoth Compare to Other Canada’s Wonderland Coasters?
Behemoth held the title of Canada’s tallest and fastest roller coaster from its May 2008 opening until 2012, when Canada’s Wonderland opened Leviathan — a B&M giga coaster standing 306 feet tall with a top speed of 92 mph. Leviathan surpasses Behemoth by 76 feet in height and 15 mph in speed, making Behemoth the park’s second-largest coaster today.
Despite being outranked on the stat sheet, Behemoth remains one of the most beloved hyper coasters in North America. Its ride philosophy — pure airtime and speed over inversions or gimmicks — keeps it a repeat-rider favorite alongside newer additions to the Canada’s Wonderland lineup.
Behemoth roller coaster opening year FAQs
What year did Behemoth open?
Behemoth opened in 2008. It held Media Day on April 24, 2008, a Season Pass Preview Night on April 25, 2008, and its official public opening on May 4, 2008.
How old is the Behemoth roller coaster?
As of the 2026 season, Behemoth is 18 years old, having opened to the public on May 4, 2008.
Who built Behemoth?
Behemoth was designed and built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the Swiss manufacturer known for its hyper and giga coasters.
Is Behemoth still the tallest coaster in Canada?
No. Behemoth was Canada’s tallest and fastest coaster from its 2008 opening until 2012, when Canada’s Wonderland opened Leviathan, which stands 306 feet tall and reaches 92 mph.
How tall do you have to be to ride Behemoth?
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall, with a maximum height of 80 inches (203 cm).
How fast does Behemoth go?
Behemoth reaches a top speed of 77 mph (124 km/h), hit within about 3.9 seconds of its 226-foot first drop.
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