Sidewinder (Elitch Gardens)

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Sidewinder

Elitch Gardens
Location	Denver, Colorado, USA
Coordinates	39°44′53″N 105°00′44″W / 39.748171°N 105.012198°W / 39.748171; -105.012198
Status	Operating since May 27, 1995
Rider height	48 inch minimum

Elitch Gardens
Name	Sidewinder
Location	Denver, Colorado, USA
Operated	1990 to September 1, 1994

Magic Springs
Name	Roaring Tornado
Location	Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Operated	1980 to 1989
Cost	$300,000 USD

Statistics

Manufacturer

Arrow Development

Product

Launched Loop

Type

Steel - Launched - Shuttle

Track layout

Shuttle loop

Riders per train

24

Propulsion

Electric winch launch

Height

56 feet

Drop

47 feet

Top speed

45 mph

Length

635 feet

Track inversions

1

Rider inversions

2

Duration

1:06

G-Force

4

Sidewinder is a steel launched shuttle roller coaster located at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado, USA. Built by Arrow Development, the ride opened in 1980 at Magic Springs. It is one of three Launched Loop installations still operating today.

History

The ride debuted in 1980 as Roaring Tornado at Magic Springs in Arkansas.^[1] It closed in 1989 and was sent to Elitch Gardens, where it reopened in 1990 as Sidewinder. Sidewinder was dismantled and rebuilt when Elitch Gardens moved to a new location for the 1995 season.

After standing but not operating since 2022, Sidewinder reopened on June 28, 2025.^[2]^[3] The ride's drive motor and control system were updated during its closure.^[3]

Design

Elements
Electric winch launch Vertical loop Electric winch launch

The train is launched down a hill and into a vertical loop. It then rises up a hill into a flat section opposite the station. The train is then launched backwards, through the loop and into the station.