originally posted on 9/8/2025
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
On Friday, July 11, 2025, approximately 70 enthusiasts from the U.S. and Europe gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, to check in for the annual ACE Europe Summerfest week-long excursion. Some had already been touring the parks of Scandinavia and northern Europe, while others had visited Stockholm’s highlights, including both the Vasa and ABBA museums. All were ready to embark on what would be the second regional invasion of the northern reaches of Europe, the first being Summerfest 2023, which explored Copenhagen along with Denmark.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
On Saturday morning, attendees met their bus drivers, Anton Carlsson and Jakob Jerresand, and found seats on the double-decker bus with a trailer tagging along to carry the luggage. After a five-hour drive, the bus arrived at the first park of the trip, Skara Sommarland in Skara. Opening in 1984, this was the first Sommarland park in Sweden (the other two opened a week later). On arrival, attendees were greeted by ACE Europe Assistant Regional Rep Christopher Kigge Karlsson, who also works for the park. Karlsson explained the park’s history and also led several backstage tours throughout the day, including the waterpark as well as the “tivoli,” which is the generic term for the ride section of a park.
Tranan: a one-of-a-kind free-fly coaster from S&S.
Photo: Ann Feeley. View full-sized image.
A highlight was the S&S original — and only one of its kind — Tranan “free-fly” coaster. Although less than 70 feet tall, the layout and over-under design of the eight passenger cars give a one-of-a-kind experience, as riders twist and rotate around the track. The other coaster operating was a Maurer spinning coaster named Spinner. Sadly, the Mack powered coaster was down for the day. But Snake, a Funtime creation, was available to flip riders at 80 km/h (50 mph) with forces of up to 4.3Gs.
Attendees enjoyed a group luncheon buffet and then continued to tour the park’s attractions, including a lake with a self-propelled water ski option, a long train ride around the property, go karts and the already-mentioned waterpark with a slide that included an 80-degree drop.
The weather set in, but rain did not deter riders from the two coasters during the hour-long ERT; after a few rides, many dried out under shelter. Later, back at the bus, the drivers announced that a scenic route was planned for the four-hour drive north. Enjoying a relaxing drive along the Swedish coastline, attendees arrived at the hotel under the cover of darkness.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
The Hotel Kolmården (officially Vildmarkshotellet) was elegantly Scandinavian in design and included an inlet, which provided an excellent backdrop for breakfast the next morning. Attendees needed the energy to climb the steep hill to enter Kolmården (Norrköping, Sweden). At the top, attendees were greeted by the general manager and Karlsson, again, and welcomed to the second of the Parks and Resorts corporate properties the trip would visit in Sweden. It was the beginning of what would prove to be a beautiful day in the alpine forested zoo. All manner of creatures were home here, including tigers, elephants, gorillas, giraffes and many hoofed mammals. Most were visible from the safari — a unique cable car skyway above the animal enclosures.
In addition to the live animals in the zoo, some Kolmården rides had animal themes as well, such as Delfinexpressen, a dolphin-themed Vekoma junior coaster.
Photo: Sharon Kaufmann. View full-sized image.
Attendees got a close-up view of Wildfire maintenance.
Photo: Alexandre Roy. View full-sized image.
The zoo opened in 1962 but expanded its audience in 2009 with the addition of Delfinexpressen (“Dolphin Express”), a Vekoma junior coaster. The big attraction was added in 2014, the Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) wood (Topper Track) coaster Wildfire. At 184 feet, it towers over the park, with a 360-degree helix after leaving the chain lift that allows spectacular views of the surrounding area before the first drop. Attendees were treated to a behind-the-scenes view of the Wildfire maintenance area.
Wildfire.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes II. View full-sized image.
Christopher Kigge Karlsson, Erik Ljung Thorén and Jo Pools during early rides on Wildfire.
Photo: Ralf Haan. View full-sized image.
Wildfire includes three inversions and a significant length. ERT on the coaster after the park closed was a delight. Never at a loss for riders, the two trains ended with riders cheering for “one more!” But it was time to head back to Stockholm, even though darkness never set in until midnight.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
It was nice, after a very long day, to return to a familiar hotel, the Scandic property where the group originally checked in, and to leisurely wake up with only a 30-minute drive to the next park. Gröna Lund, on the Stockholm waterfront, is a compact, densely built, amusement park in the heart of the city. On arriving at the third (and headquarters of) Parks and Resorts property, attendees were greeted and led through an hour-long tour of the park. It was “T-shirt day,” so everyone wore their bright yellow Viking II shirts, which made a cheery image for the morning. Behind the main stage was a collection of photos of celebrities and groups who had entertained guests over the years.
Monster.
Photos: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The tour came to an end at the entrance to the latest coaster addition, Monster, a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted model that travels in and around the rides and buildings. Any park that claims to be out of space should go to Gröna Lund to see how it has layered rides into every space possible. Everyone enjoyed the hour riding Monster.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes II. View full-sized image.
Fun in the Funhouse.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes II. View full-sized image.
Lustiga Huset (“fun house”) with an awesome slide at the end.
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
Photo: Brenda Gardner. View full-sized image.
A behind-the-scenes look at Twister, a Gravity Group woodie.
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
Other highlights of the day were six other coasters, including a Gravity Group woodie (Twister), an Intamin Zak Spin (Insane), a custom Gerstlauer bobsled (Vilda Musen, which means “wild mouse”), along with more generic models. Not to be missed was an awesome funhouse and tunnel of love. Lunch for the day was courtesy of the ACE Europe rep team! Packed into booths in the beer garden, everyone dined family style to fuel up for the afternoon. And while many stayed inside the park boundaries for the entire day, several stepped away for a tour of the ABBA museum or the nearby Skansen living history museum with a unique curving funicular railway.
Jo Pools, Christopher Kigge Karlsson and Petter Kukacka explain the origin of The Frontal Lobe to attendees before entering The Great Exhibition office. Photo: Sharon Kaufmann.
Photo: Sharon Kaufmann. View full-sized image.
Jakob Jerresand gets a close look at The Frontal Lobe track.
Photo: Martin Mockenhaupt. View full-sized image.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
Photo: Matts Hummel. View full-sized image.
The group left before the park closed, as Jo Pools, ACE Europe regional rep, had promised earlier that he had a big surprise. And what a surprise it was! Attendees were going to visit The Great Exhibition, a rebranded office space and event hall that included an indoor 60-meter-long roller coaster named The Frontal Lobe — perhaps the only office roller coaster in the world. The group was greeted by Petter Kukacka and his staff, who explained his project — and provided beer and cider! After that, all attendees were allowed one ride on this unique construction. Before the bus drivers’ time allowance was exceeded for the day, attendees reluctantly returned to the hotel for the night.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
Lightning.
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
Tuesday morning, it was back on the bus for a drive to Furuvik (Gävle, Sweden), the last of the Parks and Resorts properties. Furuvik was yet another zoo with a tivoli area, and after a short greeting, attendees were ushered back to the ERT coaster for the morning, a 2023 Vekoma launched family coaster, Lightning. For an hour, everyone enjoyed rides on this zippy creation that features two full circuits per ride.
Fireball, a Vekoma family boomerang.
Photo: Lisa Broadrick. View full-sized image.
Draken.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
After ERT, the other two family coasters, Fireball and Draken, were available, as was a small shooter spook house ride and other amusements. The zoo was scenic as well, with wonderful views of the water. A World War II bunker was available to explore, along with a unique water ride.
Leaving Stockholm for Finland on an overnight ferry.
Photo: Ralf Haan. View full-sized image.
It was a beautiful night for a ferry ride.
Photo: Patrick Kaak. View full-sized image.
After exploring the park, it was time for a two-hour drive to what had been promised to be a unique way to leave Sweden for Finland: an overnight ferry crossing. As the bus pulled up to the terminal, cabin assignments and details of the journey were explained. Duty-free shopping, dining and entertainment were available, as well as the overnight cabins. While some went straight to bed, others spent the time relaxing and enjoying the journey. Conversations, always a highlight of the ACE Europe trips, which happen regularly via the WhatsApp group, were nice to have in person in the lounges and on deck.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
Most of Särkänniemi’s rides could be seen from the observation tower.
Photo: Jeremy Wdowicki. View full-sized image.
All too soon Tallinn, Finland, was visible in the morning light, and the group was off the boat and on the bus to the next destination. Särkänniemi (Tampere, Finland) is a family amusement park on the water that features an observation tower, aquarium and planetarium. Even though it was Scandinavia, summer 2025 proved to be quite warm throughout the week, and these indoor activities were welcome, both for cooling off and a few naps.
So many souvenirs!
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
Reminders of Särkänniemi’s 50th anniversary were all over the park.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
The 50-year-old park’s mascots are a pig and a bunny, and this was the first park with an assortment of regular amusement park souvenir merchandise.
Hype.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
David Lipnicky and Mike Robinson are ready for their ride on MotoGee.
Photo: Brenda Gardner. View full-sized image.
Vauhtimato.
Photo: Vicki Chaffee. View full-sized image.
After the park closed, attendees enjoyed 30-minute ERT sessions on both Hype, a Premier Rides launched Sky Rocket II, and Tornado, a rare Intamin inverted coaster. After a long travel day, it was nice to end with a short drive to Tampere and the hotel for the night, even though it was still twilight at midnight.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
Junker.
Photo: Ann Feeley. View full-sized image.
Pitts Special.
Photo: Sharon Kaufmann. View full-sized image.
Thunderbird.
Photo: Marlies Poot. View full-sized image.
Neo’s Twister. Each spinning mouse car had a different name.
Photo: Mike Robinson. View full-sized image.
An early call to the bus the next day was required for the three-hour drive to the big Finland park, PowerPark (Kauhava, Finland), with seven operating roller coasters. On arrival, the group was introduced to and provided exclusive rides on Junker, a launched Gerstlauer infinity coaster, followed by a ride session on the GCI Thunderbird woodie. With wristbands and meal vouchers in hand, attendees began exploring the park, which became an adventure. The two Gerstlauers (Junker and Pitts Special) have identical paint schemes, so it looks like one huge coaster, yet each is a very different experience. A Fabbri spinning coaster (Neo’s Twister) was good for a few laughs. The Devil’s Mine Hotel was an excellent dark ride full of practical effects.
Drivers on the Mika Salo Circuit, PowerPark’s acclaimed go-kart track.
Photo: Karl Jorgensen. View full-sized image.
Go-kart contestants are suited up and ready to ride.
Photos: Kat Jackson. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Most attendees, however, had an afternoon appointment with the park’s signature attraction, the Mika Salo Circuit, a karting track that resembles Formula 1 racing. After donning protective gear that included helmets, racers participated in two heats with a grand finale race that tested the top scorers with the fastest times. At 50 mph, these were not standard go-karting experiences. After a few spin outs, unintentionally running on the grass and faster straightaway runs, the race session ended.
Cyclon.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Photo: Sharon Kaufmann. View full-sized image.
An unusual Paratrooper.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
As darkness fell, a long drive brought the group to the next hotel, where they had breakfast the next morning before heading out for the only two-park day — both small venues catering to families with children. The first stop, which literally was similar to a rest stop along the highway, was Nokkakivi, the newest amusement park in Finland (Lievestuore). Out by the highway stood a steel galaxy-like coaster from Interpark called Cyclon. Behind were a collection of relocated portable rides, including a paratrooper, round-up, tilt-a-whirl and others. At the back of the park was a delightfully quirky dark ride, a spooky forest and a hedge maze.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
The name of the dark ride, Kummitusjuna, is Finnish for “ghost train,” which is an apt description of the characters seen inside. The cars seen outside the building are not those used for the ride.
Photo: Tyler Norton. View full-sized image.
The owner came out to greet everyone, proudly talking about his park and the attractions. Only a few locals were visiting, but the ACE group definitely showed up and enjoyed all the attractions. In a walkthrough fun house, employee shirts were available for purchase that became treasured souvenirs. The delightful and proud establishment showed much hospitality, and everyone had great fun before reboarding the bus for a two-hour drive through the Finnish countryside.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
Idän Pikajuna.
Photo: Ann Feeley. View full-sized image.
Tykkimäki, which means “Cannon Hill,” is located in Kuovola, alongside a lake, and is operated by the Children’s Day Foundation. With that backing, the attractions are designed for the kids, and ACEers proved to be adults who could act like kids as well. First was a pizza buffet lunch, but with only one coaster, Idän Pikajuna, a Mack powered mine train model, there was no rush to quickly finish the meal.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Some attendees took a break from riding to tackle the climbing course.
Photo: Alan Bonomi. View full-sized image.
Rides at Tykkimäki included a Starflyer, a pedal-powered single car monorail, a Zamperla Endeavor, the upside-down tilted fun house and more. The wooded lakeside setting offered a climbing course, as well as allowing plenty of shade for relaxing, and at the end of the day attendees enjoyed a 30-minute ERT on the coaster. A two-hour drive brought the bus to Helsinki, the final stop for the trip.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
Vuoristorata.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
After breakfast, everyone boarded the bus in their black trip polo shirts for the quick ride to Linnanmäki. With eight roller coasters, this was to be a full day of rides, but first it was time for a complete tour of the original 1951 Vuoristorata, one of seven coasters in the world with onboard brake persons. Attendees were treated to a tour not only of the inside of the ride, but also of the maintenance bay and operations walkways. With the group split into thirds, one of the groups cycled with a full ride session to demonstrate how thrilling the coaster is to this day.
ERT on Taiga was very popular with attendees.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
The ACE Europe group was joined for the day by the Belgian Coaster Club “Rollercoaster Friends,” who were on a similar motorcoach tour of Scandinavia. After an hour, the two groups swapped places, and the ACE Europe attendees enjoyed an ERT session on the newest coaster in the park, Taiga, an Intamin multilaunch coaster. Intertwined track and station riders enjoyed multiple rides and great views from unique angles for the full hour.
Brake masters and park officials were part of the plaque presentation by Josh Brown and Jo Pools.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
Photo: Ralf Haan. View full-sized image.
The brake masters couldn’t have been happier about the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaque for Vuoristorata.
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
The earlier ACE Classic Coaster plaque was soon joined by the Roller Coaster Landmark plaque.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
At noon everyone gathered at the rooftop bar for the presentation of the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaque to the park for Vuoristorata (“roller coaster”). A few years ago, the park approached ACE for its own version of a historical plaque, which was proudly displayed at the entrance to the queue. Park officials, ACE Europe reps, the Vuoristorata brake masters and attendees were present as Josh Brown, ACE’s history and preservation director, and Pools presented the plaque to the park.
Linnanmäki CEO Satu Järveläand and Jo Pools in the first seat for the celebratory Vuoristorata ride after the plaque ceremony.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
The excitement for the presentation of the honor was apparent, and the park’s manager guided all, including other key ACE volunteers, up to the station for a celebratory ride. As the train crested the lift, the loud onboard air horn blew and continued to sound off during the entire ride. Cheers at the end led to an explanation that on the final ride of the season, the horn is blown to signify to the town that the park is now closed. However, on this day, it was to sound off about the celebration of the historic coaster for all to hear!
Kirnui.
Photo: Sharon Kaufmann. View full-sized image.
Salama.
Photo: Bianca Heinzig. View full-sized image.
The words added to this photo expressed a common sentiment after a ride on the Maurer SkyLoop Ukko.
Photo: Patrick Kaak. View full-sized image.
After a group lunch it was time to explore the park’s other delights. A public park, with no entrance fees, Linnanmäki was crowded for a Saturday but not exceedingly so. All coasters were operating, and many attendees beat the heat with a plunge on the rapids ride. All too soon, it was time to gather as a group for a final farewell dinner upstairs near the front of the park.
Winners of the go-kart competition: Jeremy Legros (France), second place; Jakob Jerresand (Sweden), first place; Kyle Shick (USA), third place.
Photo: Ralf Haan. View full-sized image.
Attendees couldn’t have been more grateful for the awesome bus drivers, Jakob Jerresand and Anton Carlsson, who brightened the mood on the bus every day.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
After dinner, prizes were awarded. First, the karting winner was announced and turned out to be Jerresand, one of the trip’s bus drivers, who also moonlights as a semipro race car driver. Then, in the tour booklet, there was a find-a-word challenge where correct answers were entered in a contest for swag from Vekoma and the park. The winning answer? “Obsessed with wildest rides!”
This event report was just a brief summary of the ACE Europe region’s annual Summerfest, Viking Trip II: Finnish Invasion 2025. It only begins to describe the laughs, the photo sharing and the joy that was experienced for the week. Much gratitude went to Pools, Ralf Haan, Per-Christian Skramstad, Karlsson and the entire ACE Europe rep team for a fantastic week! The team is already hard at work on Summerfest 2026, destination France!
— Robert Ulrich, ACE Immediate Past President
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