Category: Misc.

The Ultimate Rush

By gyddor
updated 4 months ago

Some of you might want to take a break from your computers and join me for a little adventure. Through my experiences in life there is no better rush than putting yourself out there in the mercy of fate. Not knowing what will happen next (little deep I know but true). In this guide we will take a little trip down a road called insanity. Insanity- (in·san·i·ty) means to live life to the fullest. Here we go!

Take it a Little Slow

In 2006, Cedar Point added a world-record-breaking thrill ride – Skyhawk. Located near Snake River Falls in Frontiertown and standing 103 feet above the ground, Skyhawk is the tallest ride of its kind in the world.

Skyhawk features two giant swinging arms, each 84 feet in length, with 20 seats on each arm. Each set of 20 seats consists of two rows of 10 seats, positioned back to back, that provide each rider with a “front row” view. Using pneumatic technology similar to that used on Power Tower, riders are thrilled as they are pushed toward the sky, then experience weightlessness as they reverse direction and rush back toward the ground – just like the drop side of a roller coaster – with no ride structure in their path. At the peak of the arc, riders on Skyhawk are more than 125 feet in the air and reach speeds of 60 mph in both directions! The $6 million ride gives nearly 800 rides an hour. Each ride is approximately one minute long. In its inaugural season, Skyhawk gave 744,590 rides. (Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Skyhawk.)

Fun Adrenaline for the Family

Originally known as the Utah Winter Sports Park, the facility was funded as part of the $59 million tax diversion approved by Utah taxpayers in 1989. The facility was a critical element in the Salt Lake Bid Committee’s efforts to capture a future Olympic Winter Games. Construction of the Utah Olympic Park began in 1991 with the Park, ski jump facilities and freestyle aerials splash pool opening in 1993. The bobsled, skeleton and luge track became operational in 1997.

In July 1999, ownership of the Utah Winter Sports Park transferred from the Utah Sports Authority to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, and the venue became recognized as the Utah Olympic Park. The facility underwent a series of upgrades and renovations for the Games, including the construction of the K120 jump and reconfiguration of the K90. Additionally, the master plan included design of the venue’s common areas, infrastructure, transportation system and entrances. The design and engineering phase of all projects was completed in September 1999 with construction completed in the fall 2000. General construction costs were $33 million for sliding track, $21 million for ski jumps, $6 million for infrastructure and $2.5 million for Day Lodge and pool.
During the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the venue welcomed more than 300,000 visitors during 16 days of competition. The Utah Olympic Park was the site of 14 events with three in ski jumping, three in nordic combined, three in bobsled, three in luge and two in skeleton.

The building for the $10 million Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center and Alf Engen Ski Museum was completed in the fall of 2001 and served as the Park’s media center for the world’s journalists covering the 2002 Games. The facility was transformed into a museum, retail shop, cafe and conference area for its formal dedication in July 2002.
This acclaimed facility, recognized for the fastest sliding track and highest-elevated jumps in the world, has hosted multiple World Cup events in