Colorado Is Opening the Highest Looping Roller Coaster in the U.S. — With the Steepest Freefall Drop in the West

Courtesy of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

There is a new gravity-defying roller coaster opening in Colorado following thirty day period, and it will be the maximum looping roller coaster in the region.

The coaster, aptly named Defiance, sits on best of Iron Mountain at a whopping 7,160 ft earlier mentioned sea degree, the park shared with Vacation + Leisure. The coaster, which will open up at Glenwood Caverns Journey Park in Glenwood Springs, Colo., on July 9, attributes a 75-foot vertical climb and a 102.3-degree, 110-foot freefall — which the park said is the steepest freefall drop in the western United States.

Courtesy of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

“Defiance delivers a just one-of-a-form experience as the highest looping roller coaster in the United States, perched atop America’s only mountain-top rated topic park,” Nancy Listened to, the normal supervisor of Glenwood Caverns Journey Park, told T+L. “With the steepest freefall in the West… the finest watch is from the leading of the elevate hill exactly where riders will briefly look out across the expansive views of the mighty Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, Mount Sopris, South Canyon, Glenwood Canyon and the Town of Glenwood Springs prior to plunging 90 toes. It truly is a thrill and watch contrary to any other.”

Courtesy of Glenwood Caverns Experience Park

After people amazing views, riders will plunge the size of the coaster in 56 seconds at up to 56 miles for every hour. The coaster also functions a 98-foot twisted prime hat change, a 111-foot banana roll, and a 41-foot Zero-G heartline roll.

Outside of the intellect-blowing data, the Defiance name is exclusive as properly: it was the primary identify of Glenwood Springs back in 1879.

Glenwood Caverns Experience Park also functions other high-traveling rides like the Big Canyon Swing, which features visitors the opportunity to swing again and forth around a cliff on major of the mountain at up to 50 miles per hour, and a tandem Soaring Eagle Zip Trip to feel the weightlessness of a bald eagle mid-flight.

Courtesy of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

For all those extra inclined to opt for gentler rides, the amusement park also offers a Mine Wheel ferris wheel to take in the sights as nicely as excursions of the Glenwood Caverns Cave, which are provided in a Funday Pass.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Vacation + Leisure. When she’s not in New York Metropolis, she likes to devote her time at the beach or checking out new destinations and hopes to pay a visit to every region in the earth. Adhere to her adventures on Instagram.