By Jenny Willden
Are you a first-timer ready to try your luck at rails, boxes and rollers? Or a seasoned park veteran looking to hone your skills? No matter which group you fit in to, Utah’s resorts offer a plethora of varying terrain park options so you can mix it up throughout the season.
Alta
No, Alta doesn’t have a terrain park. But they do have weekly recreational racing, which is so cool that we had to mention it. These ski gate races take place from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at the top of Sunnyside lift and are open to anyone. Not only is competing fun, it’s a great way to improve your ski skills. Just $3 for a single run or $10 for unlimited runs. alta.com
Brian Head
Come one, come all! Brian Head has terrain parks that cater to all ability levels. The beginner parks can be found off the Navajo Mountain lifts while intermediate and expert parks are located at Giant Steps. The new crowd-pleasing Junkyard Park (accessed via Wildflower lift) has amazing features, including: jumps, boxes, rails…and a Land Rover! brianheadparks.com
Brighton
Known for its spectacular terrain parks, Brighton boasts four ever-changing parks this season and a sick halfpipe. They also host loads of park competitions, demos and events all season long. Features for all skill levels are offered, but be advised that a PEEPS Park Permit is required to enter the My O My Terrain Park. You must complete the online park etiquette and education program, and pay a $10 processing fee at the Sports Desk, before you can enter this park. Access to other parks is open to all. brightonterrainparks.com
Canyons
Home to Utah’s longest terrain park, Transitions, this 1.1-mile long fun fest has 50+ features, 9+ jumps, a natural zone in the Aspens, an Easy Way trail and great exposure—you can watch your friends tricks from the lift. Access it from Saddleback Express Lift. Looking for some direction in your park riding? Canyons offers private terrain park classes for advanced skiers and snowboarders. ridethecanyons.com
Eagle Point
The first phase of Eagle Point’s terrain park expansion is complete, and it features an 18’ halfpipe and other awesome obstacles. The new park is small, but expect a bigger park for the 2011/12 season. The pipe and the park are accessible from the Monarch Triple Chair.
Park City Mountain Resort
Expect something for anyone and everyone this season at PCMR’s parks. Featuring the resort’s biggest jumps, King’s Crown is the grand daddy of parks, and where the big kids come out to play. The new intermediate park, Three Kings, has lights so you can ride until 9 p.m. every day. The Ridge is also new and has medium-sized jumps and rails to hone skills in new park riders. And we can’t forgot to mention the Eagle Superpipe, one of the nation’s largest halfpipes, this bad boy played host to the 2002 Olympics’ inauguaral snowboard halfpipe event. parkcitymountain.com
Powder Mountain
Learn the basics of terrain park riding in the Sundown park, which features smaller boxes, rails and jumps that are ideal for getting started and learning new tricks. Sundown is open daily until 8 p.m. Once you’ve dialed in your park skills, venture to Hidden Lake for advanced thrills like big rails and jumps, natural features and a 12´ halfpipe. powdermountain.com
Snowbasin
Snowbasin’s ever-growing park system now features an arsenal of over 60 rails! Their two parks, Needles Rail Garden and Little Cat, offer well-maintained, consistently-groomed obstacles that are fun for all. Don’t forget about Snowbasin’s new superpipe, which will be 22’ high for the Winter Dew Tour Championships, then cut down to 18’ for public use after the comp. snowbasin.com
Snowbird
Develop basic park skills or try your hand at expert rails in this park, located near the middle of the Mid-Gad lift exit on the Big Emma run. snowbird.com
Solitude
If you’re a total beginner to park riding, Solitude is the place to start. Their Fun Park offers low to the ground, snow-based features that are manageable for all riders, even the little ones! You’ll find table tops with differently-sized take offs, fun boxes and rollers. skisolitude.com
Wolf Mountain
This 20-acre park is accessible from all three lifts and offers obstacles for all riders and abilities levels. Whether you want to take it easy or push yourself to the limit, you’re sure to find features and lines you’ll love. wolfcreekutah.com
