The A-Z Coaster of the Week is The Ultimate at Lightwater Valley in the United Kingdom. Opened in 1991, this tubular steel coaster is currently the second longest roller coaster in the world at 7,442 feet. It’s two lift hills are 102 and 107 feet tall respectively and result in the ride having a top speed of 51 miles per hour.
The lifts are really the only visible features of the half wood half steel supported coaster as the rest hugs close to the ground and follows the terrain.
The seven and a half minute ride sprawls over 44 acres of English countryside.
The best way to describe the Ultimate may be to call it the steel, European version of the Beast at Kings Island, the only two members of the 7,000 foot club.
Take a ride on the Ultimate in this POV video:
The Ultimate was recreated as “The Storm” in the Katie’s World scenario in the original RollerCoaster Tycoon game.
Stay tuned for next week’s A-Z Coaster!
Funnily enough got my first ride on The Ultimate today. It all looks tame until you dive into the wood. It’s crazy insane! Don’t know a more intense coaster!
Thanks for comment Matt. I’ve heard the second half of the ride is quite intense and you’ve just confirmed it again.
Intense is not the word for this ride. When i first rode the ultimate it was the tallest roller coaster in the UK and i rode t again recently and it still can compete. The two major cons, the slow and noisy crawls up the lift hills and banging your knees on the metal lap bars on the first turn after the second drop,that turn pushed you right into them if your not prepared, i had a big bruise for days. All that said it didn’t stop me getting right back on it!