Le Monstre
Coaster Statistics
Location: La Ronde, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Type: Wooden Twister, Dual Track Racer
Year Opened: 1985
Height: 131 feet
Highest Drop: 125 feet
Top Speed: 38 mph.
Length: Track # 1: 3986 feet. Track # 2: 3994 feet
Number Of Trains: 4
Manufacturer: Morgan Manufacturing
Notes: Le Monstre opened as one of the world's tallest wooden roller coasters, and the world's tallest wooden dueling roller coaster.
It has been considered the number one wooden roller coaster by thousands of it's riders, it opened as one of the tallest wooden roller coasters in the world and still reigns as one of the tallest wooden dueling coaster, the ride is like no other, situated on a small island, overlooking the famous St. Lawrence River, Le Monstre has become a landmark of Montreal and, perhaps even the world's wooden roller coasters! Very few can live up to the reputation and respect this roller coaster has received, which is why Coaster Crazy is proud to honour Le Monstre as the "Thrill of the Week."
Le Monstre consists of two similar, but still very unique tracks, in which duel against each other from the beginning of the lift-hill, all the way to the ride's station brakes. With an astonishing height of 131 feet, and a 125 foot drop, La Ronde quickly placed itself on the map with it's number one scream machine. Designed by the world-famous coaster designer William L. Cobb and trains manufactured by Morgan Manufacturing, Le Monstre can be called one of the most perfected rides ever constructed, and definetly the most beautiful.
A Personal Review from one of Le Monstre's many passengers:
If it weren't for this coaster, I'd still be trying to figure out what my #1 woodie is, but now I know, it's the Le Monstre. I love big coasters with big fast drops and consistent action from start to finish, and this baby delivers in both categories. It's a dual track layout, but not a racer. The entrance to the left side is accessed by taking a sharp right after passing through the turnstile. You get to the right side by walking straight ahead. From 11 to 2pm, the left track was not operating. We got in line for the first ride at 11:30. The sign said 30 minute wait from where we were standing, but it turned out to be 50 minutes. After they opened the left track, the backs of the lines moved up to the point where it said 15 minute wait, where it turned out to be a 25 minute wait. They sure take their sweet time moving the cars out here. Plus they run only one train per track, nasty fiberglass cars, where it's easy to hit your knees on the unpadded backs of the front seats. Grumble, grumble, I know, but this was a potential near walk-on situation and I wanted to ride my brains out! Single position lap bars.
Nice scenic lift hill with the St. Lawrence River on your left. Look over and down as you near the top, you're a long way up 8-). The first drop is OK, but just a set-up, I think, for the great second drop. As you approach the second drop, all hands drop down and stay down for most of the ride, 'cause it sure looks like you'll lose 'em. The drop curves to the left a bit and is very steep and fast. The 3rd drop, on the left side, seemed just as big and steep as the second drop, a one-two punch that won me over in a big way. On the right track, the 3rd drop levels off sooner and there's a speed bump that gives the only appreciable air-time in either layout. After this point it's mass confusion on both sides. I can't tell how similar the courses were after the 3rd drop, but both have a great left-hand turn that is way over-banked, you swear you're going to tip over. Total ride time 2 minutes and 50 excellent seconds. If you're a drop/speed freak, go with the left side, back seat. I was lucky to get the back seat on both sides - you don't get your choice of seats.