Taiga is a steel launch coaster at Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland, that opened on June 18, 2019. Built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin using its Blitz Coaster design, Taiga uses a linear synchronous motor launch to send riders into a course packed with inversions and airtime moments, and it instantly became the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in the country.
Named after the boreal forest that stretches across northern Finland and Russia, Taiga leans into its theme with an eagle-inspired train design. The ride packs a zero-g winder, top hat, zero-g stall, airtime hill, immelman loop, and in-line twist into just over a minute, making it one of the most intense additions to Linnanmäki’s historic lineup of attractions.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Linnanmäki
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: June 18, 2019
- Height: about 170.6 ft (52 m)
- Top speed: about 65.9 mph (106.1 km/h)
- Length: about 3,622 ft (1,104 m)
- Inversions: 4
The Ride Experience
Taiga’s LSM launch system propels trains out of the station and into a 105-foot first drop before riders hit a zero-g winder and top hat element. The layout continues through a zero-g stall, an airtime hill, an immelman loop, and an in-line twist, delivering forces up to 5 Gs across the roughly 65-second ride.
The coaster carries a capacity of about 860 riders per hour and requires a minimum height of 55 inches (140 cm) to ride, reflecting its status as one of Linnanmäki’s more intense thrill offerings.
Records and Recognition
When it debuted, Taiga became the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in Finland, a distinction it has held onto in the years since. The ride has also earned recognition beyond its home country, landing on Golden Ticket Awards rankings for top steel roller coasters.
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Taiga FAQs
Where is Taiga located?
Taiga is located at Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland.
Who manufactured Taiga?
Taiga was built by Intamin, a Swiss ride manufacturer, using its Blitz Coaster launch design.
Is Taiga the fastest roller coaster in Finland?
Yes, at about 65.9 mph, Taiga is the fastest, tallest, and longest roller coaster in Finland.
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Photo: Puppe100 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.