Hair Raiser

Hurtling through the air, have you ever imagined what it feels like to be truly weightless? At Ocean Park Hong Kong, the Hair Raiser offers just that sensation. The Hair Raiser is more than just a roller coaster. It’s a symphony of steel and speed, a testament to human ingenuity, perched dramatically on a cliff edge. Opened on December 8, 2011, the Hair Raiser boasts the title of Hong Kong’s first floorless roller coaster. This marvel of engineering, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, was the twelfth floorless coaster they ever created. The entrance, a large, welcoming smile, subtly echoes the iconic Luna Park Sydney in Australia. As you strap into your seat on the Hair Raiser, anticipation hangs heavy in the air. The train takes a slow, deliberate half-turn to the left before the chain lift hill begins its steady ascent. Reaching the peak, there’s a brief pause, a pregnant silence before the plunge. Then, the pre-drop, a teasing dip that leads into a sharp left turn, hurtling you towards the earth. The first drop is a breathtaking plummet that seems to defy gravity. The Hair Raiser then throws you into a vertical loop. Before you can catch your breath, you’re swept into a dive loop, the second of the coaster’s four inversions. The ride continues, surging over a small airtime hill, perfectly positioned for that on-ride photo to capture your expression of exhilaration, or perhaps terror. Then, the zero-g roll, a disorienting yet exhilarating flip that truly lives up to its name. Finally, the Hair Raiser culminates in an Immelmann loop, a heart-stopping combination of a half-loop and a half-twist. The twists and turns don’t end there. The train navigates a twisted airtime hill, followed by a right turn before the final brake run brings you back to earth. Even then, the journey isn’t quite over. A final right turn and another set of brakes gently guide you back to the station, leaving you breathless and slightly disoriented, but undeniably thrilled.