terrain parks

WHERE TO JUMP AND JIB AT 13 IKON PASS DESTINATIONS All summer and into the fall, you’ve been dreaming of jibbing, bluntsliding, and bonking off everything in sight. Now, the snow is piling up and you’re officially on the hunt for that perfect set of kickers or rainbow rails to rip some reel-worthy bangers. This winter, catch some air, and make sure to capture it on your GoPro, at any of these legendary terrain parks — all accessible with your Ikon Pass. Arapahoe Basin When you ski or ride at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, you get not just one park but five — Banana Park, Treeline Terrain Park, Moonwalk Terrain Park, High Divide Terrain Park, and Molly’s Magical Park. Start small and build your way up; each park offers a uniquely progressive space for skiers and riders of different skills and ability levels, including kids. Plus, many of the park features are built with recycled materials from the rest of A-Basin’s legendary ski area. Aspen Snowmass As home of the ESPN Winter X Games for more than two decades, Buttermilk at Aspen Snowmass is the primo destination for freestyle riders and skiers from around the world. Test your skills on the legendary launch pad that is Buttermilk — you’ll even get first dibs on the same superpipe and massive slopestyle jumps that the pros ride during competition. If that’s not enough, you can also check out the always evolving parks and pipes that span Snowmass. Big Bear Mountain Resort This SoCal mountain has been a pacesetter on the terrain park scene scene since 1991, when its original park was built. Big Bear Mountain Resort hosts some of the skiing and snowboarding industry’s best on-mountain events, and Bear Mountain’s collection of award-winning terrain parks — including Southern California’s only half-pipes — are designed to push athletes’ limits. Brighton When you’re in Utah, be sure to hit up Brighton Terrain Parks to get some air on some of the world’s coldest driest snow. As the only park in the Cottonwood Canyons, Brighton’s iconic pre-season hike terrain park is affectionately known as the Bone Zone. Check it out, and you may spot even Olympic snowboard slopestyle gold medalist Sage Kotsenburg practicing some of his signature tricks. If you plan to ride, don’t forget your shovel. Copper Mountain The Woodward Mountain Park at Copper Mountain in Colorado is designed for progression and features three types of terrain parks — learning, experiential, and performance — so you’ve got options, whether you’re a newbie or a pro. Check out Koko’s Progression Park, Dino Ridge Progression Park, Red’s Backyard, Peace Park, Pipe Dream, Central Park, Family Cross, Start Park at Easy Rider, and even Woodward Copper Summer Camp park that’s made from preserved snow. Eldora Mountain Resort Head up to Eldora, just outside of Boulder, Colorado, to show your slopeside style on the resort’s Woodward Mountain Park. Eldora includes progression-based parks for all ages and abilities, including base-area learning zones and large freestyle zones. Most of Eldora’s parks are located on Little Hawk Mountain — be sure to check out Trick Ditch to ride one of Colorado’s first half pipes and Sundance, which consists of boxes, rails, and snow features, including a QP. Killington Awarded “Best Terrain Park in the East” by Snowboarder Magazine, the Woodward Mountain Park at Killington includes a wide variety of creative terrain zones. Check out Peace Park for its innovative freestyle terrain with a focus on fun and flow, Dream Maker for its peak-season 18-foot sculpted half pipe, and Red’s Backyard for a challenging hike-style zone. Killington even features fun pop-up parks, like The Reason — an early-season gem with mid-range jumps, jibs, and rails. Mammoth Mountain In California, Mammoth Mountain has helped set the standard in terrain park innovation, quality, and design for more than 20 years. Mammoth’s Unbound Terrain Parks include 10 parks with two half-pipes, 50+ jumps, and 110 jibs on more than 100 acres of terrain. Beginners will love the fun features on the Disco, Wonderland, and Eagle Playgrounds, while experts can cruise the pro-level Main Park’s 22-foot half-pipe or the big-mountain freestyle paradise that is The Hemlocks. SkiBig3 Canada is calling — and so are the 10 terrain parks that span three resorts at SkiBig3. Whether you’re new to boxes or craving airtime, the five parks at Banff Sunshine promote freestyle progression and host world-class events every spring. At Lake Louise, you can show your style with four parks accessible from Glacier Chair, Juniper Express, or the Grizzly Gondola. And at Mt Norquay, the mixed terrain park under Cascade Chair, known locally as “Banff’s Backyard,” is a mustn’t-miss. Sun Peaks Resort In British Columbia, Canada, the terrain parks at Sun Peaks Resort spread over 10 acres and include more than 45 features in three zones: Basic Training, Drop Zone, and Flight School. For access, hit up the Sundance Express chairlift and get sideways on an assortment of boxes and fun urban hits, including Kamloops-inspired street rails. Want to try a twilight terrain park sesh? Sun Peaks’ fourth zone, Base Camp, is open every day for evening jibbing until 7 p.m. Thredbo In the Southern Hemisphere, Thredbo reigns supreme with the biggest terrain park offerings and Australia’s only half-pipe. Hop on the Cruiser lift to access Boost Mobile Terrain Park, or if you’re ready to ride with the big dogs, Monster Energy Terrain Park at Antons has all the jumps, huge booters, technical boxes, rails, and tubes you’d ever want. Plus, Thredbo’s High Noon Ridercross Course offers a rare opportunity to race through twisting turns, berms, and rollers like the pros. Tremblant Freestyle enthusiasts of all ability levels will love Tremblant’s three terrain parks — each boasting panoramic lake and forest views. Beginners can learn freestyle basics at the family-friendly Mitik Park on the North Side, and intermediate-level tricksters can perfect their maneuvers at Progression Park on the South Side. Experts should try Adrénaline Park, Tremblant’s biggest and the sun-bathed, wind-sheltered competition epicenter located on the resort’s South Side. Winter Park Resort Whether you want a chilled-out park to start your jibbing journey or a challenging park with the most progressive features, Winter Park Resort has it all at the Rail Yard Territory — including an 18-foot superpipe at Upper Rail Yard®. Beginner skiers and riders should dial in their skills on the smaller features at Bouncer, Starter Park, or Ash Cat, while the experts flock to Lower Rail Yard (formerly known as Dark Territory) to show their style on the resort’s largest and most technical elements.

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