Avalanche (Kings Dominion)
Avalanche is a bobsled roller coaster located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. Manufactured by Mack Rides, Avalanche opened to the public in 1988. It is located in the Safari Village section of the park. There are seven cars per train and the various cars are themed after Olympic bobsleds that represent five countries. The countries include France, the United States, Germany, Switzerland and Canada. Each car has its country specific Winter Olympic decals.[1]
| Avalanche | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Kings Dominion | |
| Location | Kings Dominion |
| Park section | Jungle X-Pedition |
| Coordinates | 37°50′24.47″N 77°26′26.51″W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | March 26, 1988 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Bobsled |
| Manufacturer | Mack Rides |
| Model | Bobsled |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 69 ft (21 m) |
| Drop | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Length | 3,200 ft (980 m) |
| Speed | 41 mph (66 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:30 |
| G-force | 3.4 |
| Height restriction | 40 in (102 cm) |
| Trains | 3 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 1 across in 2 rows for a total of 14 riders per train. |
 Fast Lane available | |
| Avalanche at RCDB Pictures of Avalanche at RCDB | |
History
In late 1987, Kings Dominion announced that a bobsled roller coaster named Avalanche would be added for the 1988 season.[2]
Avalanche would officially open to the general public on March 26, 1988.[3]
Avalanche did not operate for the 2020 season due to the park being closed for the COVID-19 pandemic. The coaster also remained closed for the 2021 season due to the nearby construction of Tumbili.
Features
Avalanche features chutes or half pipes without any fixed tracks like most other roller coasters. Having no tracks allows the bobsled cars to move freely as if they are sliding on the ice as a real bobsled would.[1]
Cars
Each car in Avalanche seats two riders. One rider sits in between the legs of the first rider. It is a very close fit between the two straddling riders. Many people ride alone because it is such a tight squeeze.[1]
References
- "Avalanche @ Kings Dominion". Coaster Reviews. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- Pryweller, Joseph (November 8, 1987). "Attendance slides at state parks". Daily Press. Staff Writer. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Kalina, Mike (March 25, 1988). "New hotels ready for vacationers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Post-Gazette Staff Writer. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.