On this day in Santa Clarita history, Six Flags Magic Mountain opened one of its most iconic attractions – Colossus.

Colossus was a twin-track wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. When it debuted in 1978, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world, just eight days after the opening of Gemini at Cedar Point, which edged it out by a mere 0.3 feet.

Designed and built by International Amusement Devices, Colossus underwent numerous modifications throughout its history.

Despite its ambitious design, the ride experienced significant mechanical issues and closed in late May 1979. 

Following Six Flags’ acquisition of the park in June of that year, Colossus underwent extensive reprofiling. 

Its trains were replaced with new rolling stock from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, and major mechanical components, including the brake system, were rebuilt. Frontier Construction handled the reconstruction, with design and engineering input from Don Rosser and Bill Cobb. Colossus officially reopened on December 22, 1979.

Despite all the renovations, one rider died in a ride malfunction just days after it reopened.

In 1988, the ride received new trains from Morgan. A few years later, in 1991, the two signature camelback hills near the parking lot were replaced with a flat brake run, although remnants of the original hills were still visible beneath. 

These updates improved the ride’s theoretical capacity.

Leading up to its final years, Colossus participated in seasonal events such as Fright Fest, where it ran backward using trains from another ride, Psyclone. After a memorable 36-hour continuous riding event, Colossus officially closed on August 16, 2014.

Just days after its closure, Six Flags announced the ride would be reimagined as Twisted Colossus. Rocky Mountain Construction transformed the wooden classic into a steel hybrid coaster, reusing much of the original structure. 

During construction, a small fire broke out on September 8, 2014, but it did not halt progress.

Twisted Colossus opened in 2015 and immediately set a new standard for thrill rides. Billed as the longest and most innovative hybrid coaster in the world, it combines traditional wooden coaster aesthetics with cutting-edge steel track design. With steep banks, dramatic rolls, and daring spirals, the ride is a marvel of modern engineering.

Today, Twisted Colossus stands as a tribute to its legendary predecessor, still located along the perimeter of Magic Mountain, intertwined with the massive structure of Goliath. For many, it remains one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks—an enduring icon of thrill and nostalgia with a modern twist.

To read yesterday’s Today in SCV History, click here.

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