Alpenexpress Enzian

About

Alpenexpress Enzian (Alpine Express Gentian in English), formerly Grottenblitz, is a powered roller coaster with optional virtual reality ride experience manufactured by Mack Rides and located at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. It is located in the Austria-themed section of the park. Opening in 1984, Alpenexpress was the first roller coaster built at the park. In June 2023 a fire destroyed the building containing the dark ride section of Alpenexpress, as well as the adjacent log flume Tiroler Wildwasserbahn. The roller coaster was entirely scrapped except for its station building and then rebuilt, reopening in the summer of 2024.

Specifications: Alpenexpress opened at Europa-Park in 1984 under the name of Grottenblitz. Its former name was derived from the grotto theme inside the darkride section, which made up around half of the ride. Its current name references the Alps, as the coaster and its surroundings were integrated in the parks Austria section. After the 2023 fire the grotto was not rebuilt but replaced with an open-air mountainous theme. The Alpenexpress train has 10 cars of which 9 can seat four people, whereas the Locomotive-themed front car can seat only two, making for...