I was sad to see the closure of La Vibora at Six Flags Over Texas on November 4, 2024. As far as I can tell it was the last standing of what was known as the Swiss Bob roller coaster by Intamin. On a Swiss Bob a bobsled like vehicle is taken up a lift hill and then released into a tubular track to free roll and mimic the action of Olympic bobsledding. Most classify this style of ride as a roller coaster even though it lacks traditional track. La Vibora is being removed to make room for a new dive coaster for 2026 (here’s a video of the demolition from Amusement Source), which no doubt will be a great addition for the park, but the uniqueness of the Swiss Bob will surely be missed.

La Vibora is Spanish for “the viper” and the ride’s snake theming reflected this well through its color scheme. La Vibora didn’t begin its life at Six Flags Over Texas, but instead ran for several years at Six Flags Magic Mountain from 1984 to 1985 where it was known as the Sarajevo Bobsleds. This naming capitalized on the popularity of the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

The ride moved to Texas in 1986 as part of the Six Flags ride rotation program where it kept the same blue color scheme and was renamed Avalanche Bobsled. It was later renamed “La Vibora” with the Spanish name and red, black and yellow color scheme better fitting the Spain area of the park where the ride was located.

I had a chance to ride a Swiss Bob at Six Flags Over Georgia where their version was known as Rolling Thunder. The name was very appropriate as anywhere near the ride the sound of the car rolling on the track perfectly mimicked the sounds of thunder in the distance. On an overcast day I would sometimes find myself checking if it was an incoming storm or just Rolling Thunder. It was a unique ride experience to be free rolling with a sense of unpredictability ride to ride. However, it was like excitement in short bursts as it was made up of several short sections of coasting followed by a brake/block zone instead of a continuous course like real bobsledding. Rolling Thunder actually started as Sarajevo Bobsled in 1984 at Six Flags Great Escape before coming to Six Flags Great America in 1989. It was relocated a second time going to Six Flags Great Adventure in 1998 where it operated as Alpine Bobsled until 2023.

There were several other incarnations of the Swiss Bob including the “Screamin’ Delta Demon” at Opryland, “Disaster Transport” at Cedar Point and “Swiss Bob” at Efteling in the Netherlands, but they had all closed prior, leaving La Vibora as the last of its kind. This design of the Swiss Bob was highly unique and there really is nothing else like it out there. About the closest you come is actual sledding, maybe a waterslide or a real bobsled ride which you can actually pay to do at places like the Olympic site in Salt Lake City. The only thing even remotely close in coaster is something like the Swiss Toboggan which I had the chance to ride at Little Amerricka in Wisconsin. However, the Swiss Toboggan is a tracked ride, with just the train and spiral turns somewhat resembling a bobsled.

It’s always sad to see a ride go, but especially sad if it’s the last of its kind with nothing else similar remaining. Other closures in 2024 like Kingda Ka or even Scorpion at Busch Gardens have gotten more press and it’s sad to see La Vibora is going out with barely a mention. Why is that? Maybe this is because some might not have considered it an actual coaster, broke any records, was a childhood “first” or had a famous designer, but it’s hard to tell. I imagine the new dive coaster will be lots of fun, but I’ll miss the uniqueness of the Swiss Bob. I’m happy to have ridden Rolling Thunder and had the experience of riding a Swiss Bob. The closing of La Vibora is a great reminder to enjoy older and classic rides while we can as there’s no guarantee they’ll be around forever.