Best Classic Rides at the Calgary Stampede

Top 10 Classic Rides at the Calgary Stampede

Whether you’re a reasonably tall child or teenager (most rides have height limits) or perhaps a fully-fledged adult looking for some of the best Calgary Stampede rides, the ones below will leave a smile on your face from ear to ear.

The best part is that these midway attractions have been around for a while – hence, the best classic rides at the annual Stampede. We hope you have a wonderful Stampeding season this time around! Also see:

• 40+ Fun Calgary Stampede Facts
• 23 Things You Didn’t Know about the Calgary Stampede

1001 Nacths

This ride reminds us of a pendulum clock; once you swing to the top, the ride swings back and forth until its momentum dwindles and leaves you at the bottom once again.

1001 Nacths is a good ride for people who don’t like being strapped in and at the mercy of a machine a hundred feet up in the air — a.k.a. afraid of heights. It is also suitable for those who need to break themselves in before getting onto one of the bigger and more thrilling rides.

This ride is located near the Calgary Stampede Rodeo Stadium, making it easily visible due to its height.

Bonzai

This ride is similar to 1001 Nacths, but instead of facing perpendicular, you are strapped in parallel to the swinging motion. On the way down forward and back, it’s exciting to see the others riding on the second platform zip by your face at crazy speeds (let’s hope that everyone keeps their food in).

Yet again, this is another good ride for those looking to break themselves in for rides like Mach 3 (a good 100 feet in the air, upside down and swinging) or others even more intimidating like the Slingshot.

You can’t miss Bonzai, as it is usually perched up near the carpet slides in the centre of the midway grounds.

Drop of Doom

The drop of doom is about as high as it gets for coupon rides at the Calgary Stampede. It brings you up a few hundred feet or so, then drops suddenly, without a moment’s notice, which is the whole thrill of it.

The anticipation of the drop will make your stomach butterflies go crazy, especially as you wait to drop at a moment’s notice. The only downside is that the ride is relatively short, with just one trip up and down. However, if you have the patience, it’s a great experience!

Try hitting up the Stampede before 1 pm to hitch a ride on the Drop of Doom with a relatively short line up, it’ll be worth it!

Fire Ball (big)

The second and larger Fire Ball Stampede ride is entirely different than the smaller version. It reminds me of a roller-coaster loop – without the rest of the track.

Just the experience of spinning around and around again and again on the same track is worth the coupons and the wait. It’s almost as if you are a hamster running around in circles on a hamster wheel.

This is about as close as it gets to a good roller coaster ride at the Stampede. Be prepared to wait in line, unless you arrive at the grounds just after opening time at 11 am daily.

Fire Ball (small)

This ride puts a spin on what 1001 Nachts and Bonzai do – literally.

Instead of being strapped in parallel or perpendicular to the direction of the swing, this time you are strapped into a circular rotating platform that spins while moving back and forth in a pendulum motion.

This is another good “starter ride” for those looking to get their Calgary Stampede ride beginner’s belts before moving on to the more intense ones on the midway.

Orbiter

This orbiting ride keeps you close to the ground (for those scared of heights) and has a pretty reasonable length to it, making it worth the coupons and your time.

Swinging underneath the arm is exhilarating because you feel like you might smash into the centre until it picks you back up and then down and around again and again.

This one is a favourite for families, children, and teenagers who meet the height restriction.

Zipper

Of all the rides at the Calgary Stampede, the Zipper was one of the craziest for its size!

Each cage sits on a hinge that spins on its axis while also being on a belt that moves around the wheel’s perimeter, making for one heck of a ride, no matter how experienced you are.

This is one ride that isn’t for the faint of stomach either – save yourself and everyone else from a messy puke if you can’t handle having your sense of direction being thrown forcefully into the Twilight Zone in almost every which way imaginable.

Mach 3

Mach 3 is the most thrilling ride you can line up for and pay with coupons at the Stampede Grounds.

At each end of its massive structure is a seat for two people to enjoy getting whipped around in a circular motion at mind-bending speeds while feeling like you will nearly hit the ground every time you come downwards.

Part of the ride includes a pause at the very top while the other seat is loading new riders; meanwhile, your seat is flipping back and forth which usually puts you in a freaking scary upside-down position. The thrill is worth it if you ask us!

Slingshot

The slingshot is pretty self-explanatory.

You are strapped into a small ball-like structure with one other person, slung into the air at a ridiculous speed, top out, and fall back down to the ground with each bounce being lower than the last.

If you want to spend the cash per person for a short but totally nutty thrill, this is the ride for you. Unfortunately, this ride does not accept coupons.

Skyscraper

Think of Skyscraper like the Mach 3, but bigger and much more adrenaline-inducing.

So, we call it Superman because you do feel like you are flying, with the full effects of the G-forces on your body, like Superman would in a Hollywood blockbuster.

This one is also cash only, but it’s 100% worth it, and the ride lasts much longer than the Slingshot. Check it out!

Calgary Stampede Rides: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scariest ride at the Stampede?

The scariest ride has to be the Slingshot, which slings riders up into the air a couple of hundred feet on a slingshot-like apparatus, which then bounces back down and up several more times before ending. The adrenaline rush from the first slingshot makes this ride the scariest to try.

Are rides at the Stampede kid-friendly?

Yes, the Calgary Stampede features several kid-friendly rides. The Midway features several thrilling rides for children and teenagers. At the same time, there’s also a dedicated area called “The Great FUNtier” that has more than 20 easy rides specially tailored for young kids.

How much does it cost to go on rides at the Stampede?

Each ride at the Stampede either requires coupons or cash per rider. For example, the Slingshot and Superman rides accept cash only, at a rate of $50 per person, and are suitable for teenagers and adults only. The rest of the rides at Midway accept coupons, which can be purchased at easily spotted vendors throughout the Stampede grounds, and are sold in various quantities: 1 coupon for $1, 11 coupons for $10, 22 coupons for $20, and so on.

Is there an all-inclusive pass for rides at the Stampede?

Yes, visitors can save money by purchasing an “all-day pass” from ticket vendors, providing unlimited access to rides and games across the Stampede Midway for an entire day. The visitor must wear this bracelet pass and can be pre-purchased for $44.99 + GST at participating grocery stores including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, and FreshCo.

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