Taiga at Linnanmäki in Helsinki is an Intamin launch coaster that opened on June 18, 2019. It is the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in Finland. It stands 52 metres (170.6 ft) tall, reaches 106 km/h (65.9 mph) and runs 1,104 metres (3,622 ft) of track, and it packs four inversions into a ride of about a minute.
This guide covers what Taiga is, how the layout flows, who can ride it, how it fits into a Linnanmäki visit, and where to check current tickets and opening dates. If you searched “taiga linnanmäki”, the quick answer and stats below should cover most of what you need.
Quick Answer
Taiga is a steel, LSM-launched roller coaster at Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. Intamin built it and it opened on June 18, 2019. It is Finland’s tallest (52 m), fastest (106.1 km/h) and longest (1,104 m) coaster. Riders must be at least 140 cm (55 in) tall, and Taiga is included with the Isohupi ride wristband.
Taiga Stats at a Glance
- Park: Linnanmäki, Helsinki, Finland
- Manufacturer: Intamin (custom LSM launch coaster, often grouped with the Blitz family)
- Opened: June 18, 2019
- Height: 52 m (170.6 ft)
- Drop: about 32 m (105 ft)
- Top speed: 106.1 km/h (65.9 mph)
- Length: 1,104 m (3,622 ft)
- Inversions: 4
- Ride time: about 1 minute 5 seconds
- Maximum force: about 5 G
- Minimum height: 140 cm (55 in)
- Capacity: about 800 riders per hour (per Linnanmäki)
What Is Taiga?
Taiga is Linnanmäki’s flagship thrill ride. It is a steel coaster that uses linear synchronous motors (LSM) to accelerate the train, rather than a chain lift hill. The park announced it in March 2018, the track arrived in autumn 2018, and it opened in June 2019. It was built on ground that had held the water coaster Vonkaputous and the older rides KotKot and Vekkula.
The name refers to the taiga, the boreal forest belt that stretches across northern Europe and Russia. The trains carry an eagle motif on the front, which fits the idea of an eagle making observation flights around the park from its nest.
The Ride Experience: Layout and Elements
Taiga uses two LSM launches. The train first rolls out of the station into a launch, then goes straight into a zero-g winder and a stengel dive. After an overbanked turn, a second LSM boost sends the train up the 52-metre top hat, and the train drops back down about 32 metres (105 ft) from the top.
The second half is where most of the inversions come. The layout continues with a zero-g stall and an immelmann loop. It then runs through banked turns and an S-curve sequence, a twist dive, an airtime hill and a zero-g roll before the brake run. Riders feel forces up to around 5 G, and the whole ride lasts roughly 65 seconds.
The trains are small. Each of the two trains has four cars seating two across in two rows, so 16 riders per train, with lap-bar restraints. That layout suits the ride’s airtime moments and keeps the ride feeling intense from start to finish. It also means capacity is limited to about 800 riders per hour, so queues can build on busy days.
Records and Recognition
Taiga became the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in Finland when it opened, and it still holds those records. It has also appeared in the Golden Ticket Awards ranking of top steel coasters in recent years. It is a rare case of a coaster of this scale at a compact city-centre park.
Taiga sits alongside Linnanmäki’s older attractions, including the wooden coaster Vuoristorata (the park’s classic coaster) and Kirnu, so it makes a good centrepiece for a coaster-focused day.
Who Can Ride Taiga?
Riders need to be at least 140 cm (55 in) tall. Linnanmäki lists Taiga in its thrill-ride category, so it is not one of the family rides included in the smaller Pikkuhupi wristband. If your group includes younger kids, plan on other rides for them while others queue for Taiga, and check the ride’s current rules on the official site before you visit.
Like most launch coasters with inversions, Taiga is not suited to anyone with heart, back or neck problems, or who is pregnant. Loose items must be stored before boarding, so leave bags and phones in the lockers or with a non-riding member of your group.
Planning Your Visit
Linnanmäki is a seasonal park in central Helsinki. It opens in spring, runs through summer and closes for the winter, with special autumn events such as the iik!week horror festival and the Carnival of Light. Opening days and hours change from year to year and by date, so always check the calendar before planning around Taiga.
Entry works through wristbands and tickets. The Isohupi wristband covers all rides that you meet the height and safety rules for, including Taiga. The Pikkuhupi wristband covers a smaller set of family rides, and Taiga is not among them. Season passes and area tickets (which do not include rides) are also sold, and tickets can be bought through the park’s webstore.
For current opening dates, hours, ticket types and prices, use the official Linnanmäki website. For the shortest waits, arrive at opening and ride Taiga first, or try later in the day when queues often thin out. Rides can also close temporarily for weather or maintenance, which is common with high-speed coasters.
How Taiga Compares
Taiga is not the biggest coaster in Europe, but it is a major upgrade for Finland. Its combination of two launches, a 52-metre top hat and several inversions gives it far more variety than a typical single-launch coaster. If you want a comparison, look at other Intamin launch coasters in Europe that mix airtime with inversions.
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Taiga at Linnanmäki FAQs
Where is Taiga located?
Taiga is at Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland.
When did Taiga open?
Taiga opened on June 18, 2019.
Who built Taiga?
Intamin, the Swiss ride manufacturer, built Taiga as an LSM launch coaster.
How tall and how fast is Taiga?
Taiga is 52 metres (170.6 ft) tall and reaches 106.1 km/h (65.9 mph).
Is Taiga the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Finland?
Yes. At 52 m tall, 106.1 km/h and 1,104 m long, Taiga holds all three records for Finland.
How many inversions does Taiga have?
Taiga has four inversions, along with a zero-g stall, an immelmann loop, an airtime hill and other elements.
How tall do you have to be to ride Taiga?
The minimum height is 140 cm (55 in).
How long is the Taiga ride?
The ride lasts about 1 minute 5 seconds.
Is Taiga included with the Linnanmäki wristband?
Taiga is included with the Isohupi wristband. The smaller Pikkuhupi wristband covers family rides and does not include Taiga. Check the official Linnanmäki site for current ticket options.
What did Taiga replace?
It was built on the site of the water coaster Vonkaputous and the older rides KotKot and Vekkula.
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