Frontier Lift
1968 - 1985

In the 1960's Cedar Point was on it's way to becoming what the park is today. In 1960 Riverboat Cruise started to sail the Cedar Point lagoons. In 1961 Rotor and Sky Wheel were added to the park. Guest would never have to ride a roller coaster again to see the signs when Sky Ride opened in 1962. In 1963 Mill Race opened as the second log flume in the world, and  the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad started taking guest thru the woods. Blue Streak opened in 1964 as Cedar Point's first roller coaster built since 1929. Space Spiral became the first ride to stand over 300 feet when it opened in 1965. In 1966 Pirate Ride was relocated to Cedar Point from Freedom land in New York. Frontiertown opened in 1967.

In 1968 Cedar Point added the Frontier Lift to it's growing fleet of rides! 

Frontier Lift was the same style ride as the Sky Ride only it traveled in the woods. 


The ride had two stations. The Main Station was located in Million Dollar midway and the second was in Frontiertown.

Until 1971, Frontier Lift was one of two ways to get to Frontier Town. The other way to get back to Frontiertown was to ride Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad

Frontier Lift was built by Von Roll of Berne Switerzland, witch had also built Cedar Point's Space Spiral and Sky Ride.  The Frontier Lift was a legendary Von Roll VR101 Skyride. The ride was also the last ride built by Von Roll to be built at Cedar Point.

During its time at Cedar Point, Frontier Lift was one of the taller rides at Cedar Point. The ride was very unique to Cedar Point during its 18 year run. Frontier Lift  was the only ride in the park that gave its riders a trip into the woods at tree level!

Just like Sky Ride, Frontier Lift was a family ride at Cedar Point that the  entire family could ride together!

While Frontier Lift was at  Cedar Point the park would add: Cedar Creek Mine Ride (1969), Antique Cars (1969), Cedar Point's 100th Anniversary Celebration (1970), Frontier Trail (1971), Giant Wheel (1972), Matterhorn (1972), Jumbo Jet (1972-1978), Cedar Point Cinema (1975-2001), Corkscrew (1976), Troika (1976), Witches' Wheel (1977-2018), Jr. gemini (1979-2013), Wave Swinger (1979), WildCat (1979-2011), Gemini Children's Area (1979-2013), Oceana (1980-1998),  Ocean Motion (1981), White Water Landing (1982-2005), Kid Arthur's Court (1982-1999), Demon Drop (1983-2009), and Avalanche Run (1985-1989). All of these rides gave Cedar Point an new experience the park didn't have before. 

1985 was the final season for Frontier Lift. The ride would be removed after the park closed and replaced in 1987 by Iron Dragon!

Even tho Frontier Lift is long gone, parts of the ride still exist and were re-used at Cedar Point! In 1986, Cedar Point replaced Sky Ride's cars with the cars that had been on Frontier Lift. Over Time, the Cars were re-painted!

After 1986, the Station in Million Dollar Midway was removed from the park to make room for Iron Dragon.

The station in Frontiertown still remains today. 
Over the years Frontier Lift  has been missed by many of its fans. 

Photos by: vonrollskyway, Russ Hauden, Jake Hamons, and Cedar Point.
Last Updated: 06/1/2020