Top 6 Adrenaline-Pumping Rides at the Calgary Stampede
- June 30, 2023
- By Cody Battershill
Top 6 Adrenaline-Inducing Rides at the Calgary Stampede
One of the best summer events in Calgary is here! The Calgary Stampede, also known as the "greatest outdoor show on earth," is now open and ready to thrill visitors with its insane rides!
If you're looking for some of the best rides, you'll want to take note of the rides at the Calgary Stampede we've listed below. Don't miss them! Also see:
#1 - Mega Drop
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Be brought to new heights on Mega Drop, one of the scariest rides on the Calgary Stampede Midway.
This short (length-wise) but extremely tall ride brings you up to about 40 metres above ground where you'll quickly see some amazing views of the grounds and surrounding city. Then, in an instant, the ride drops to the ground putting more than four units of G-force on your body.
If you love thrills, then you'll want to check out the Mega Drop ride at the Calgary Stampede!
#2 – Skyscraper (Cash Only)
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I couldn’t believe the sheer amount of G-force acting on every part of my body as I spun around, and around, and around... yes, a ride on the Skyscraper is longer than you think, and it should be for the cost!
The cool thing about this ride is that it makes you feel like you're flying. For Marvel lovers, you can experience what it would be like to be Thor or perhaps Iron Man for a few minutes.
One ride goes for $50 per person, so make sure you bring some cash so that you don't give up your spot in line to go get some. Find it close to the Saddledome, or if you aren’t sure just look up into the sky as this towering beast is hard to miss.
#3 – Slingshot (Cash Only)
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The slingshot is another one of the extreme rides at the Calgary Stampede that will get the adrenaline coursing through your veins.
Like Skyscraper, it too gives you an incredible g-force experience as you are slung into the air at a crazy speed. At the top, for a split second, you experience a moment of weightlessness then fall back down to the ground while spinning around every which way.
This is another ride that doesn’t take coupons – only cash – so be prepared to have $50 per person for whoever wants to go. This ride seats only two people, making it a great adrenaline-packed experience for couples of all sorts.
Find the slingshot near the north end of the grounds, close to the Saddledome. Like Skyscraper, it too is hard to miss as it stands out on the Midway like a sore thumb with its blue steel.
#4 – Zipper
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The Zipper is another fast and flippy ride located on the south side of the Midway area.
One cool thing about Zipper is that there are actually three motions all happening at once. While the passenger compartments flip up and down and around, they are moved along the roller on the outside of the ride's frame, which is also moving in a circular fashion.
Warning: this ride is not for the faint of stomach. Try at your own risk, and make sure the person you’re going on with is feeling just as good as you are... for obvious reasons!
#5 - Air Merry-Go-Round (Kids)
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Young children and teenagers looking for a thrill but nothing too intimidating should check out the air merry-go-round at the Stampede! This ride gently lifts the rider into the air about 10 to 15 feet then swirls around, giving riders great views of the grounds and mild to moderate thrill as they swoosh through the air.
Beside this ride is yet another calmer ride great for the whole family. The ferry wheel is relaxing, easy to get on and off, and accommodates entire groups, although there is a limit on the number of people who can get into one cart.
We highly recommend both these rides for visitors who are scared to go on the more thrill-seeking rides at the Calgary Stampede!
#6 – Mach 3
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Just in case you don’t feel like paying cash for a ride on Skyscraper, you can always head over to Mach 3 for a similar experience (see tall white ride, left on photo above).
Located on the south side of the Midway area, Mach 3 will give you the "flying" experience that everybody should have at least once in their lives. It’s almost scary watching riders come down right above you and then quickly swoop back towards the centre of the platform.
You’ll be happy to know that Mach 3 has double the ride capacity compared to Skyscraper, but the lineup can be pretty long. The best time to catch a ride on Mach 3 is on weekdays or early on weekends.
I Love Stampede
What are your favourite rides at the Calgary Stampede? Leave us a comment below and let us know, we will do our best to add them to one of our lists!
Until next time, check out more of these great articles on the “greatest outdoor show on earth” and join us at Calgaryism on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates today!
