We are embarking on a completely updated plan for our terrain parks this winter. In essence, kicking the old “park” out and taking on something totally new… totally unfiltered.
We were talking with Jonahs, our park designer and manager, and he convinced us that incorporating features into the mountain’s natural topography is a perfect, clear fit. “Since the majority of our skiers and riders spend as much of their time exploring all 2400 acres as they do the parks; and in the way a guest can find steeps, moguls, chutes, or spines anywhere on the mountain, we want guests to be able to try a park feature on other areas of the mountain,” he said.
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Everyone here including our general manager Kent Hoopingarner is excited about the change. He said “the new park plan is appealing in that our park designer and staff can build terrain features which blend with the natural banks, rollers, and mountain layout. This type of design is certainly a growing trend in the industry; but it is a true fit for Alpine Meadows, everyone will enjoy every part of the mountain.”
So look forward to additional park features scattered throughout portions of Kangaroo, Boomerang, and Tiegel trails (via Kangaroo double, Roundhouse high speed quad, and Hot Wheels triple chairs); as well as lower Palisades, Terry’s Return, and Loop Road (via Summit Six high speed six passenger chair and Alpine Bowl double chair). “You will be able to ski one of the best mountains, blast jumps, and slide rails in the same run,” added Jonahs, who incidentally, enjoys the off piste on Alpine’s High Traverse as much as he enjoys a flawless step-down in the Shreddows advanced park.
We will keep you posted as plans develop.
Comments
2
2009
I hope this is not going to be a bunch of rails and jumps all over the mountain! A couple of years ago we had jumps on Red/Green which were a significant and dangerous obstacle in poor visibility. Kangaroo and Tiegel are fine, but adding “features” to Terry’s and lower Palisades does not sound like a good idea. Why can’t we just have the mountain the way it has always been?
3
2009
Andrew-
Maybe Alpine should take away all of the lifts and put in some Poma’s and rope tows.. bring it back to how it has always been. Or better yet, nothing at all and you have to hike.
Point is, if I’m going to pay $600+ for a pass, I want a terrain park that is longer then the 30-second Kangaroo run. I think Jonahs and his park staff will be able to make this one BIG reason for buying a pass at Alpine.
3
2009
Sounds like it could be a good idea if done intelligently. Any feature too close to keyhole runouts is not intelligent for instance. And like andrew said, keep in mind low visibility day.
But I’d rather see a halfpipe again than any of this to be honest.
4
2009
Hoop, loose the park plan altogether….have Kenny and the crew buff the whole mountain wall to wall nightly!
4
2009
This ideas sounds unreal! i have always said how alpine has had so many spots to put in other parks. And what better mountain than alpine to make natural hits everywhere. And in response to Andrew how about you just look in front of you and not hit anything..Kangaroo and tiegel are not fine because kangaroo is short and steep and takes 30 seconds to go down and tiegel is a kids park..Park riding is an important part in this generation of skiing and will bring a sweet touch to the mountain! DO IT!
4
2009
Definitely would rather see a half pipe. I understand the costs aren’t comparable, but if the mountain is going to be mucked up at least do it properly. Let the kids who want “features” go ride Boreal.
5
2009
Terry’s is one of the few groomed north facing runs that begs to be just skied. Now there will be a piece of plastic to avoid. A state of park on Kangaroo works, keep it there.
5
2009
No need to worry, Alpine purists. We will not be putting features “everywhere”.
The plan is to build features that fit into the mountain. There are plenty of places around the mountain, that do not get skied and have courdoroy left at the end of the day. That is where we will be concentrating our efforts. Our goal is to make a mountain that everyone can enjoy. Freestylers and old school skiers alike.
Imagine a mountain where your kids can ride features and you can ski your favorite run next to each other. Who knows? Some of the older folks might be enticed to hit a jump or a box, too.
“I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.” – M.L.K.
5
2009
screw the mountain make the whole thing into a park more people like park anyway!!!!its way more fun.plus alpine is 1 of the top resorts in tahoe with the worst park we need a better park!
5
2009
Ham rogers- are you off you’re rocker?!? the last thing we need are more groomed runs, the first is more powder. That is hard to arrange, so park features in more places is the next best thing.
Jonahs put it well… don’t be intimidated by the length of his post. Read it.
6
2009
Like the idea!! Just dont scatter the jibs out too much, I loved the jib line on Kanga.. just dont make it to where you can only hit a couple jibs on each chair….ya catch my drift??……wha wha wha !! KANGAROO KILLAS!!!
6
2009
The Stash at Northstar did not ruin the mountain in any way shape or form. It absolutely enhanced it in every way. Friends and family of all ability levels and interests have enjoyed riding in the Stash right along with me. I encourage Alpine to develop similar terrain features that make the most of alpines potential. Props Jonahs!
6
2009
please don’t kill any trees! i love trees.
6
2009
Just please tell me that this isn’t a similar plan to what places like Sugar Bowl have done. Where liability issues scared the management into creating small “fun” features including more jibs rather than keeping the integrity of their park. Alpine has had one of the best jump lines in the Tahoe basin for at least the last 5 years and i hope that doesn’t change. It has been known for being one of the only places that kept it “big” for the riders that want it that way. Don’t get me wrong in that i strongly believe in smaller features for fun and learning, and i’m nothing to brag about in the park, but the nicks run jump and the rest of the line have been amazing for riders looking for bigger jumps in the area. Thanx Jonahs and the rest of the park crew you guys do an amazing job.
19
2009
I just want confirmation that the usual four or five jump line next to the double will be back.
That has consistently been one of the best lines in tahoe, and I’d love it to stay just like that.
Really, that line was just perfect in every way.
27
2009
I do not like the placement of the new parks and I miss the old park below kangaroo.