Balder Roller Coaster, Gothenburg

Balder Roller Coaster, a thrilling wooden attraction located in the heart of Gothenburg, Sweden, is a marvel of amusement ride engineering. Opened in 2003 at the Liseberg amusement park, Balder has become a must-ride for coaster enthusiasts from around the world. Touted for its impressive airtime and smooth ride experience, Balder stands as one of the premier wooden coasters in Europe.

The ride is named after the Norse god Balder, known for his purity and bravery, and the coaster does well to live up to its namesake's reputation. With a height of 36 meters and reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, Balder delivers a breathtaking experience over its 1,070-meter track. The coaster's design features a series of intense drops and hills, providing riders with the sensation of weightlessness that is highly sought after in wooden roller coasters.

Built by Intamin, a company renowned for its innovative approach to roller coaster design, Balder breaks from traditional wooden coaster construction with a prefabricated track. This method ensures a precision ride that is both smoother and requires less maintenance than its traditional counterparts.

The attraction has received numerous awards since its inception, including being voted several times as the 'Best Wooden Tracked Roller Coaster' in the world in international polls. Its popularity is a testament to its design and the exhilarating experience it offers.

Open seasonally, in line with Liseberg's operating schedule, Balder is accessible to a wide range of thrill-seekers, with a minimum height requirement of 130 centimeters. The ride is particularly busy during summer months when the park experiences its peak visitation.