Top 10 Snow Parks in The World
Even if getting big air involves you taking off, passing out through fright, and still being in the air when you regain consciousness this guide is for you. Ten parks with thrills for even the most timid of snowboards, because as the cherry-wine-drinking philosopher Jermaine Stewart once said, “We don’t have to put our impact shorts on, to have a good time…” Or something like that. Check out our serious recommendations plus funny ‘What Voice-Over Man Would Say’ comments below!
Words by Chris Moran
Tor Lundström with a huge D-Bs 10 Pic by Markus Fischer
The new slogan ‘Freestyle for Life’ is the mountain in a nutshell. The best parks and pipes are on offer at Shuttle Mountain. The pride of this season is the new SUPER PIPE, with its incredible size of 160 m in length, 6 m walls and 30 m width and guarantees shape the entire season – this is absolutely unique throughout the entire Alps!
Situated in Eastern California near the world famous Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Mountain really is, well, Mammoth! A mammoth vertical drop, huge snowfall and the sheer size of the resort all add up to make this one of the best (and biggest!) ski resorts in California and indeed the US.
Nordpark in Austria (in the Tirol region) is a small ski resort with just 4 ski lifts (2 gondolas, 2 chair lifts) but it does boast a very impressive 1400 metres (4595 feet) of vertical descent. Nordpark has 14 kilometers (9 miles) of pistes. We have no information about the existence of any cross country ski trails at Nordpark.
Laax has 28 lifts, which is 21 more than the average for all ski resorts. Its uphill capacity is 42,000 people/hour, which is 33,500 people/hour more than the average.
Photo: The Planet D
It’s usually the 5,000 acres of terrain and the Back Bowls that gets everybody’s attention at Vail. But we’d like to suggest dropping in at Vail’s Golden Peak, Bwana or Pride terrain parks to experience awesome, well-kept features and lots of space to attempt knarly tricks.
Photo: Keystone Resort
There’s always buzz around Area 51, Keystone’s terrain park, that impresses seasoned boarders, but the park has enough beginner features to ensure you don’t have to go big all at once. A dedicated chair lift means you never have to leave the park.
The Portes du Soleil has 9 snowparks dotted all over the network. With boxes, tables, walls, a big air superpipe, raised bends, freestyle airbags and rails, there’s plenty to keep all riders smiling.
Big area, with some decent freeriding, and maybe the best park in Austria. Has a big British seasonaire contingent, and the home of Snowbombing and the Altitude festivals.
Whistler Blackcomb announces major $18 Million capital expansion for 2013.2014. Lift expansion includes a new Whistler Mountain Harmony High-Speed Six-Pack Chairlift and a new High-Speed Quad Chairlift in Blackcomb Mountain’s Crystal Zone.
With four award-winning terrain parks and a 22' superpipe to choose from, Breckenridge appeals to up and coming freestylers and seasoned experts alike. Known for having the best pipes and parks in the world and continually ranked in the top three by industry leaders, Breckenridge continues to raise the bar in the terrain park arena.
Words by Chris Moran
1. Absolut Park Flackauwinke, Salzburg Austria
The new slogan ‘Freestyle for Life’ is the mountain in a nutshell. The best parks and pipes are on offer at Shuttle Mountain. The pride of this season is the new SUPER PIPE, with its incredible size of 160 m in length, 6 m walls and 30 m width and guarantees shape the entire season – this is absolutely unique throughout the entire Alps!
2. Mammoth Mountain California, USA
Situated in Eastern California near the world famous Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Mountain really is, well, Mammoth! A mammoth vertical drop, huge snowfall and the sheer size of the resort all add up to make this one of the best (and biggest!) ski resorts in California and indeed the US.
3. Nordpark, Austria
Nordpark in Austria (in the Tirol region) is a small ski resort with just 4 ski lifts (2 gondolas, 2 chair lifts) but it does boast a very impressive 1400 metres (4595 feet) of vertical descent. Nordpark has 14 kilometers (9 miles) of pistes. We have no information about the existence of any cross country ski trails at Nordpark.
4. Laax, Switzerland
Laax has 28 lifts, which is 21 more than the average for all ski resorts. Its uphill capacity is 42,000 people/hour, which is 33,500 people/hour more than the average.
5. Vail Colorado, USA
It’s usually the 5,000 acres of terrain and the Back Bowls that gets everybody’s attention at Vail. But we’d like to suggest dropping in at Vail’s Golden Peak, Bwana or Pride terrain parks to experience awesome, well-kept features and lots of space to attempt knarly tricks.
6. Keystone Colorado, USA
There’s always buzz around Area 51, Keystone’s terrain park, that impresses seasoned boarders, but the park has enough beginner features to ensure you don’t have to go big all at once. A dedicated chair lift means you never have to leave the park.
7. The Portes du Soleid on the Swiss/Frence border
The Portes du Soleil has 9 snowparks dotted all over the network. With boxes, tables, walls, a big air superpipe, raised bends, freestyle airbags and rails, there’s plenty to keep all riders smiling.
8. Mayrhofen, Austria
Big area, with some decent freeriding, and maybe the best park in Austria. Has a big British seasonaire contingent, and the home of Snowbombing and the Altitude festivals.
9. Whistler, Canada
Whistler Blackcomb announces major $18 Million capital expansion for 2013.2014. Lift expansion includes a new Whistler Mountain Harmony High-Speed Six-Pack Chairlift and a new High-Speed Quad Chairlift in Blackcomb Mountain’s Crystal Zone.
10. Breckenridge Colorado, USA
With four award-winning terrain parks and a 22' superpipe to choose from, Breckenridge appeals to up and coming freestylers and seasoned experts alike. Known for having the best pipes and parks in the world and continually ranked in the top three by industry leaders, Breckenridge continues to raise the bar in the terrain park arena.
Related Posts:
Top 10 Snow Parks in The World
Reviewed by Eli Snow
on
6:12 AM
Rating:
Reviewed by Eli Snow
on
6:12 AM
Rating:
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