Skyrush is a steel Wing Coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, built by Intamin and opened on May 26, 2012. It was the park’s 12th roller coaster and the world’s first Intamin Wing Coaster, placing riders in seats cantilevered beyond the edges of the track for an unobstructed, free-floating sensation through every twist and hill.
A cable lift hauls the train 200 feet skyward before releasing it down an 85-degree first drop, accelerating to 75 mph and generating up to 5 Gs. The 3,600-foot layout threads directly above Spring Creek, delivering four high-speed banked turns and five dedicated airtime hills in just 63 seconds. Since its debut, Skyrush has claimed a spot in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards top 50 steel coasters nearly every year it has been eligible.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: May 26, 2012
- Height: 200 ft (61 m)
- Drop: 212 ft (65 m)
- Top Speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
- Length: 3,600 ft (1,100 m)
- Inversions: 0
- Max G-Force: 5.0
The Ride Experience
Skyrush opens with a cable lift that yanks the train 200 feet upward at roughly 26 feet per second — brisk enough that the crest arrives almost without warning. The descent hits 85 degrees, just shy of vertical, and slams riders to 75 mph within the first few moments of the drop.
The course then sweeps through wide, high-banked curves and five pronounced airtime hills, all routed low above the waters of Spring Creek. Winged seats leave nothing between riders and the landscape below, making every surge of ejector airtime feel completely exposed. At peak intensity, the ride registers a maximum of 5.0 Gs — among the highest sustained forces found on any modern steel coaster.
Design and Recognition
Skyrush was the first Wing Coaster ever produced by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, functioning as a prototype for the model. Each train carries 32 riders arranged four across in a single row per car, with seats extending outward beyond the rails on both sides. Two trains run the circuit, supporting a capacity of around 1,350 riders per hour.
For the 2024 season, Hersheypark replaced the trains’ seats and restraint system — an upgrade widely praised by enthusiasts who had previously flagged restraint comfort as the ride’s main drawback. Skyrush has appeared in the Golden Ticket Awards top 50 steel coasters in virtually every year since opening, confirming its reputation as one of the most intense and well-regarded hyper coasters in North America.
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Skyrush FAQs
How tall is Skyrush?
Skyrush stands 200 feet (61 m) tall and features a 212-foot (65 m) first drop angled at 85 degrees.
What type of roller coaster is Skyrush?
Skyrush is a steel Wing Coaster manufactured by Intamin — the first Wing Coaster the company ever built. Riders sit in pairs on each side of the train in seats that extend beyond the track edges, leaving them fully exposed to the air.
Does Skyrush have any inversions?
No. Skyrush has zero inversions. Its intensity comes from speed, a near-vertical drop, five ejector airtime hills, and sustained G-forces reaching 5.0 throughout the 63-second ride.
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Photo: 45BearsFan / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.