7. Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C. Canada: Nintendo Terrain Parks
Adam Chuntz sends it on a sunny day in the park at Whistler. PHOTO: Scott Serfas
Whistler/Blackcomb boasts eight parks of varying size and difficulty. On the Whistler peak, there’s the Habitat Park, with a range of feature sizes from small to large for you to dial in your tricks. Jump the Peak-2-Peak Gondola over to Blackcomb Mountain and you’ll find a buffet of parks ready for your feasting. Your lift ticket includes unlimited rides on the Peak-2-Peak Gondola, connecting you directly to both Emerald and Catskinner chairs, which are the main park lap lifts for you to get your hustle on. The Nintendo Terrain Park is located off the Catskinner chair, and there in Whistler/Blackcomb’s signature park you’ll find medium to large features along the 3,480-foot run. But that’s only a stepping-stone to Highest Level. You need to sign extra waivers and get an HL specific park pass just to scope out this XL sized park run. If that doesn’t paint the picture, helmets are mandatory.
Web site: whistlerblackcomb.com/parks/index.htm
8. Northstar-at-Tahoe, California
The terrain parks located on Lumberjack and Main Street are loaded with jumps, hips, rails and boxes some of the signature variety like the standout DC Shoes rail line and Red Bull rainbow ledge. Tucked in the trees, protected from the wind are numerous park options from the misty Stash runs which include the natural terrain features of the mountain to the full on full on in the Pinball park. Northstar’s parks are Snow Park Technologies (SPT) parks, which equates with proven park design and maintenance.
Charles Reid gets after it in The Stash park at Northstar-at-Tahoe. PHOTO: Chris Wellhausen
Web site: www.northstarattahoe.com
9. Sierra-at-Tahoe, California
Zak Marben takes the stairs at Sierra-at-Tahoe. PHOTO: Chris Wellhausen
You’ll find a variety of parks at Sierra littered around the mountain. Bashful, in West Bowl, is Sierra’s signature park, featuring medium-sized hits set up throughout one long run. Around The Backside awaits The Alley, Sierra’s biggest park. Check out Forum’s edit from our Team Shoot Out to catch a glimpse of the stuff Sierra cooks up. If you’re looking for something a little more low key, Broadway has a slew of smaller rails and jumps to get your jib juices flowing. Getting frustrated with learning a new trick? Head over to the Smokey Park off Grandview Express and blow off some steam with some fast ass boardercross laps.
Web site: sierraattahoe.com/parks-pipes.asp
10. Park City, Utah
Shaun White at Park City, Utah. PHOTO: Liam Gallagher
Park City has three parks designed to help you progress your riding. Start off in the Pick n’ Shovel park, there are a ton of boxes and small to medium sized features to hone in your skills. Once you’ve got your line down in there, step it up to King’s Crown, where you’ll find larger features than in Pick n’ Shovel, but not quite as big as PC’s claim to fame—Jonesy’s. Jonesy’s Park is super-sized, and a likely zone to spot a few of Park City’s distinguished local heads. Drawing blanks? Think MFM, Bode Merrill, Aaron Biitter, Torstein Horgmo—the list goes on.
Web site: pcride.com/winter/index.html
