Le Monstre is a twin-track wooden roller coaster at La Ronde in Montreal, Quebec, and it holds the title of the largest wooden coaster in Canada. Its first track opened on July 20, 1985, with a second, non-parallel track following in 1986, making it one of the few racing wood coasters where the two sides offer genuinely different rides rather than a mirrored layout.
Designed by William Cobb & Associates and built with Martin & Vleminckx, Le Monstre reaches about 131 feet tall and sends riders through roughly 4,000 feet of track per side at speeds near 60 mph. For a time after opening, it stood as the tallest wooden coaster in the world, and it remains La Ronde’s second-tallest ride behind the steel giant Goliath.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: La Ronde, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Manufacturer: Martin & Vleminckx
- Opened: July 20, 1985 (Track 1); 1986 (Track 2)
- Height: About 131 ft (39.9 m)
- Top speed: About 60 mph (96 km/h)
- Length: About 3,996 ft / 4,026 ft (two tracks)
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Each of Le Monstre’s two tracks opens with a hard first drop before rolling through a series of airtime hills, a hallmark of its William Cobb design. Trains seat riders two across in two rows, five cars per train, for 20 riders at a time, and four trains (two per track) keep the ride cycling quickly even on busy summer days.
Because the second track was built independently rather than as a mirror image, guests who ride both sides notice distinct pacing and airtime moments, giving Le Monstre a rare double identity among racing wood coasters.
A Landmark in Wood Coaster History
When it debuted in 1985, Le Monstre briefly stood as the tallest wooden roller coaster in the world before being surpassed in 1990. It has kept its Canadian record as the country’s largest wooden coaster ever since, and Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters supplied new trains for the ride in 2013 to keep the decades-old structure running smoothly.
Explore more: Explore more roller coasters.
Le Monstre FAQs
Is Le Monstre still operating today?
Yes, Le Monstre continues to operate at La Ronde in Montreal, running on both of its original tracks.
Does Le Monstre have any inversions?
No, Le Monstre is a traditional out-and-back style wooden racing coaster with 0 inversions, relying on airtime hills for its thrills.
Why does Le Monstre have two different tracks?
Only one track opened in 1985; a second track was added in 1986, and because it wasn’t built as a mirror image, the two sides give riders noticeably different pacing and airtime.
Get More from Le Monstre
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Le Monstre, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.