Whistler Blackcomb Park Updates 2009.10

Terrain Parks Report by Brian Finestone - March 9, 2010

Tue, 9 March 2010 17:42:59 -0800

Parks photos and a new Terrain Park Report posted by Brian Finestone posted in the Parks Section. Ski And Snowboard Cross Presented By Powerade goes off this weekend on Blackcomb. Follow our Twitter updates @whistlerparks.

Latest Terrain Parks Highlight Video - January 2010

Sun, 31 January 2010 01:22:59 -0800

Park Riders and Skiers, check out the Terrain Parks latest video: January Highlights. Stepped Up - New features, jibs and jumps. Check out the action in the Nintendo Terrain Parks at Whistler Blackcomb. Video by: Nick Hickling. Music: F*RNR The League, Soundtrack Of Our Summer. Check it all out at whistlerblackcomb.com/parks.

Latest Terrain Parks Highlight Video now Online plus new Photos

Sun, 3 Januar 2010 10:40:59 -0800

Park Riders and Skiers, check out the Terrain Parks latest video: December Highlights. Jump Line highlights and jibs from both Whistler and Blackcomb Terrain Parks. Music Track: Take a Minute to Think by Western Union. Edit by: Nick Hickling.

Plus new photos from the King of the Rail and Park Rider Sessions presented by TELUS posted in the new Parks Slides. Check it all out at whistlerblackcomb.com/parks.

Whistler Blackcomb Terrain Parks

Tue, 29 December 2009 16:40:59 -0800

Hey Park riders, Finestone here with a Holiday Park update. It has been a stellar week with a perfect temperature inversion keeping the valley snow cold for after hour urban sessions while the Parks are all warm and sunny with ideal snow conditions. Even though I always ask for face shots of cold POW for Christmas, this would have to be my second choice. Crews have been out filming in the Parks and all over town, and it amazes me that even after all these years, people can find new things to jib around town.

In the Parks we have been building away with fresh new set-ups for all riding levels. The Garden is back on Blackcomb and with the creative input from the snowboard school’s Ratty we have designed a better intro to Park experience. This year the Garden will have XS features for little jibbers and jumpers to cut their teeth, it won’t be a good warm-up run for the rest of you, so don’t even bother, that is what Choker and Chipmunk are for.

Whistler Blackcomb Terrain Parks

Sat, 26 December 2009 14:40:59 -0800

There's been lots of activity on both Whistler and Blackcomb. Check out the new picnic table culvert combo, super fun tree bonk plus a new Cougar park line on Whistler. Blackcomb has opened the Terrain Garden and added new features and jumps on both the Choker park and Highest Level park. New videos and Event info on the all new Parks page at whistlerblackcomb.com/parks

Terrain Parks Highlight Video for November

Sun, 13 December 2009 22:40:59 -0800

Park Riders and Skiers, check out the Terrain Parks latest video: November Highlights. Featuring jibs and jumps from the Blackcomb Terrain Park and Highest Level Park.

More Features Added

Thu, 10 December 2009 17:30:59 -0800

Hey it’s Finestone with another Park report for early December. It’s cold up there. While some people might think that is a bad thing, I tend to disagree. Sure, it is bullet hard if you land on your heels off the new “Shack Booter” but it also means that the landings off the jibs stay rut free for smoother dismounts and reverts. This cold snap is making sure the snowmakers are busy and have lots to do. Last week they grabbed a few of the guns from the Park to lock in the ski-outs and now we are all free from downloading until late April. Tonight the guns will return to the Parks and we will add to the natural head start we got in November.

The 2010 Park team are all trained up and out on the slopes tuning up the features every day and today marked the official opening of the Highest Level Park so helmets and passes are mandatory from now on. Sunday December 13th is the first Park event of the season with a rail jam happening on Whistler. Murphy and KC have been building up mounds for new features and Anto has been tweaking a few boxes so we can install some new stuff before that events kicks off next weekend. Steve Petrie has done some basic shaping in the pipe and has also welded up a new combo box set-up which will debut in the coming days on Whistler.

With the epic snow of November and the cold snap of the arctic outflow this week, the 09-10 season already feels well under way. Put on your puffy coat some big mitts and come check it out, the cold will just make you that much tougher for the rest of the season.

…and would someone please send Ullar a text and tell him come back to work, we need some snow!

- B

Blackcomb Park is Open

Fri, 27 November 2009 09:40:59 -0800

Hey Park riders, Brian back at the keyboard to start another season of Park updates. The Americans are about to jump into their Thanksgiving weekend and although the Canuck version is long gone, I am going to poach in on their parade since there is something I am supremely thankful for. I could not be more stoked about the amount of snow we have received in the month of November, shattering age old records and making opening day jump 12 days earlier on the calendar. We have already got a mid-season snowpack depth and more keeps-a-coming in the high alpine even when it is pouring rain in the valley.

- B

Great Opening Day

Sat, 14 November 2009 16:20:59 -0800

Hey Whistler Park Riders,
Crazed riders started lining up for first tracks and grinds as early as 2:30 the afternoon before we opened. Whistler opened it's earliest park ever. A small but spirited offering included an new hand rail, dance floor, 2 down boxes, and a kinked rail. The pow was amazing and face shots were had by all. Some intrepid riders even rode all the way to the village.

We are expecting more storms this week so we should be able to add to the park offering for next weekend.

Think Snow.
Y.P.

Get Stoked for Winter 2010

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 16:35:29 -0700

Thanks everyone for a fantastic finish to the 2009 season. Summer Glacier season ended on July 26th with some very cool features added even before the last day. Camps including Camp of Champions and Momentum stepped it up this year with some great jump and jib features.

The two late spring parks on Whistler Mountain kept skiers and riders busy while the sun warmed up Whistler for one of the hottest seasons in recent history. Voleurz and Sandbox sessioned on the huge Emerald jump built by Anto Orts and Alex Iskat. Check out their teasers and official releases soon. Sandbox: Shine ON, Voleurz: Outdoor Graduation.

Thanks to the Grenade Games 5 crew for bringing their talent and skills to Whistler during the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival in late April which turned out to be an epic event. A huge thanks to James Sayers and all the Terrain Park Rangers for building some of the best parks we’ve ever witnessed at Whistler Blackcomb.

Look for some exciting features as we get prepped for the Olympic year in Whistler. The Nintendo Parks on Whistler and Blackcomb will be ready. Remember, your lift ticket includes unlimited rides on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola which connects you directly to both Emerald and Catskinner parks; “PARK 2 PARK”.

Enjoy your summer and keep fit for the new season.

Emerald Jib Park

Thu, 28 May 2009 9:45:29 -0700

Park Update: Last day for skiing and riding on Whistler Mountain is now set to Sunday, May 31st. Several features have been moved from the Dave Murray Park back to Jolly Green Giant on Emerald. Come and enjoy the last days on Whistler and then get ready for the Blackcomb Glacier which opens on June 20th.

Upper Dave Murray Park Photos

Photos: Jibs and Features - New Upper Dave Murray Park on Whistler.

Park Report: May 20, 2009

Hello there all you loyal park riders. Thanks to Lucas Oulette, Kevin Charles Anderson, Brett Nakamoto, and a Bean for whipping up an impressive park for everyone to enjoy here late in the season. There was only 2 days to create it, which makes it almost mind boggling. We realize that most park riders are unfamiliar with our new location, but finding it is half the fun. Treat it like a scavenger hunt, if you’re don’t really know this part of Whistler Mountain. It is right at the top of the Upper Dave Murray Downhill Course (Red Chair Zone). That’s all were going to tell you.

The Park currently consists of 14 jibs and a gorgeous 35 foot booter. We still have a few tricks up our sleeves, so keep your eyes peeled!

Complete report including Blackcomb and Events at: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/parks

Park Updates now on Twitter! http://twitter.com/whistlerparks

Park Report: Mar 24, 2009

Hello all you inquisitive skiers and riders out there, finally, here is your Parks Report
What an insane couple weeks we've just had. Tons of powder, mad beanin, and perfect blue bird park days. What a great time to be up on the mountains. More sun in our forecast for this week to come as well.

Whistler
The upper jib-zone at the top of Emerald Chair is back in full effect. Up there we've got a Barrel bonk, 1 real low skate style flat bar, big down box and a skinnier down ledge and butter jib roller to finish it off. The Quarter, Log Stall is back up after the Chute jump (gap like last year – photos to come). Chipmunk has a new jump in the Medium line, along with a QP and Battleship rail at the end of the line. Bobcat still has all the little extras left over from the Slopestyle as well.

Complete report including Blackcomb and Events at: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/parks

Park Updates now on Twitter! http://twitter.com/whistlerparks

Park Updates Now on Twitter!

Follow the Park Ranger updates on Twitter. Get regular updates on new features, changes and events happening on all Whistler Blackcomb Nintendo Terrain Parks. Stay connected to the Parks team as they shape up your favorite jibs, jumps and the superpipe. Follow the Park Rangers at:

http://twitter.com/whistlerparks

Park Report: Mar 8, 2009

Hey Jibbers and Jumpers,
The past couple of weeks in The Parks have been really exciting times for everyone. We’ve seen lots of sun and snow. Our Parks are now pretty much built to capacity, giving our teams the opportunity to really pimp out our features. We’ve been switching rails and jumps in and out to keep things fresh. Both mountains are changing daily. The Showcase Showdown this year was a huge success. Big shout out to Brad Broughton from the shop, and his team of volunteers for their help with design and building. The Atomic Supercross is this weekend; results to come.

On Blackcomb
The Snowcross track has a new line this year that everyone should check it out. The course is open daily.
The Highest Level, and Choker lines are riding perfectly every day, the lines are dialed right in nicely. The Highest Level is rounded out at the bottom by a massive re-entry platform with an Up-Rail to Wallride. The Choker line finishes with an awesome Quarter Pipe that is Zaugged daily.

Complete report and latest photos at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/parks

Park Updates now on Twitter! http://twitter.com/whistlerparks

Showcase Showdown Report: Mar 4, 2009

Andrew Burns and Caley Vanular TAKE first place in Whistler Blackcomb’s Showcase Showdown
“Backyard” slopestyle format brings the action to Whistler Mountain base.

Whistler Blackcomb’s annual Showcase Showdown went off last Saturday as onlookers crowded into Skiers’ Plaza
and onto patios to watch the action at the base of Whistler Mountain. After a hard fought battle, Caley Vanular
claimed first place in the women’s category. Second place went to Molly Milligan and third went to Janelle Prtichard.
Meanwhile, Andrew Burns took first in the men’s category, while Rusty Ockeneden claimed second place and
Mike Osachuk took third.

The six riders, who won a total of $5,000 cash and prizes from event sponsors, including Nixon headphones
and a Sandbox helmets, will also feature in Sandbox’s next snowboard film “Shine On.”

In its twelfth year, the Showcase Showdown has enjoyed another successful transformation and has proven
once again why Whistler Blackcomb’s Nintendo Terrain Parks are ranked No. 1 in North America. This year’s
course was inspired by the mini-parks in locals’ backyards all over Whistler. The slopestyle course design,
which included rails and industrial-style jib features with happy faces, was a collaboration of Showcase
Team Manager Brad Broughton; Kevin Sansalone of Sandbox Films; Steve Petrie master park-builder and
designer and builder of the 2010 Olympic Halfpipe; and Whistler Blackcomb’s Park Rangers.

Complete report and latest photos at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/parks

Park Updates now on Twitter! http://twitter.com/whistlerparks

Park Report: Feb 14, 2009

Hey Park Riders,
We’ve had the most ideal days on Whistler Blackcomb that you can imagine. We’ve had great powder days,
and perfect sunny park riding days. The snow’s helping us build up our parks, and the sun just lets us
enjoy it that much more.

On Blackcomb,
The snowcross track is nearly finished. A few more tweaks over the next couple nights, along with the Events
crew getting all the fencing going, we’ll have the course open in a few days.

The Choker park continues to improve almost daily. The entrance of the park now starts off with a sick new
step-up, which has become a real favorite to all the crews riding out there. The new giant Snow Wall ride
next to the HL entrance, has been an edition that’s been keeping everyone stoked too. The Jib line has been
morphing constantly, keeping fresh setups all the time.

The Highest Level is dialed in just right. With immaculate jumps, and a few new jibs on the right line.
The line that is being set on the right is going to be the course for this Sundays Slopestyle event. There will be
2 size options for every feature in the line. Alex has rebuilt the last jump on the HL left side, and all the riders
are in there sending it, with this new style of jump for that spot.

Complete report and latest photos at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/parks

Jan 26, 2009

Hey Park Riders, over the past 2 weeks we've been blessed with strong high pressure systems that have given us incredible park riding days. We had a good week of warm inverted temps, that made it feel like perfect spring days, with the snow staying sharp the whole time. And now it has cooled again with the sunny skies remaining. The cool temps have allowed us to blast our snow guns again all over the Blackcomb Park, so we can add to our features. The break from the storms also gave us a chance to build up the Whistler Park even more...

Jan 9, 2009

Hey Park Riders, Some great pow riding over the last few days with almost 90 cm's in the last 7. This has also given Marty, Dave and their teams of park builders lots of good building material so the parks continue to grow. We are expecting lots more snow over the weekend and have the Blackcomb Park loaded up with snow guns so we will be ready when we have good snow making temps...

Jan 1, 2009

Now that we have great riding to the Valley the snowmakers are moving snow guns back up into the Highest Level Park and onto the Snowcross track. This snowmaking coupled with some more storms lined up out in the Pacific will allow the Park Rangers to add more terrain and set ups this week. The Big Easy Terrain Garden should be on line in the next few days. The Whistler crew opened up the Habitat Park this week...

Dec 24, 2008

Santa's park rangers and groomers have been busy nightly adding jumps and jibs to the Nintendo terrain parks. On Blackcomb there is a new line in the Highest Level area on riders right, with a couple of large size jumps and a bunch of rails and boxes, you don't need a HL pass for this line as there are no XL jumps yet. The next round ...

Dec 13, 2008

PEAK 2 PEAK or should I say PARK 2 PARK is now open and it has already changed the way people ride the parks. I saw regulars like Brett Barefoot and Ryan Molloy in both parks on the same day which in my mind is a sign of things to come. 11 minutes is all that separates ...

Dec 4, 2008

We are open! Despite what it looks like in the valley, the riding in the park is surprisingly good right now. Whistler’s temporary park located on Papoose run has been discontinued and the Whistler Habitat Park will return in its usual location shortly. Blackcomb’s Nintendo Terrain Park on Choker is growing new features daily...

Nov 20, 2008

Boots –check, suit – check, board- check, goggles- check, winter -?, winter-?, winter- anyone??? I guess we are just missing one thing around here to get this party started right. Don’t get me wrong, there is already some snow up in the park but it is not enough to go around and if we get too many people on it...

Oct 4, 2008

Hey Park Riders, Brian here with another pre-season park report. The rail yard is all cleaned up and the fleet of fresh new jibs is ready to go up the hill to lay dormant until the lifts turn and we start the season with a brand new park set up. The word is now official...

Aug 21, 2008

Park riders, the new mags are starting to hit the shelves getting people stoked for the season. When ever the back to school ads start hitting the TV screen, I start to think of the ski swaps and movie premiers that will inevitably follow. The fall also means rail building time and the crew is already hard at work...

May 29, 2008

Over the past two weeks Sandbox and Runway Films shoot on Blackcomb Mountain in 7th Heaven, by Cloud Nine on the boundary to Lakeside Bowl. As always, the weather was an issue for both shoots but both crews ended up having two great days of filming each.

Apr 27, 2008

You can expect Lucas and Timmy to push up a bunch of new and creative jib setups and jump lines before the Spring Park reaches its full potential. If you have not seen what’s up then come up and check it out. It is fun to have a whole new line with different backdrops for your filming and photographing pleasure.

Apr 23, 2008

Blackcomb Mountain has a new exciting terrain park open through to the end of May in the Jersey Cream area featuring a mix of small, medium as well as large jibs and jumps built for the Orage Masters. The Nintendo Highest Level Park and Superpipe are closed to accommodate Peak 2 Peak construction

Apr 6, 2008

This week we are into TWSSF build mode and there will be some changes on the way as we build the TJ Schiller designed super-sicko Orage Masters venue and rebuild the Superpipe one last time. We are also adding some new features this week with the new Telus ledges and a redesign of the Bobcat line

Mar 27, 2008

Just because the calendar and almanac say it is spring doesn’t mean the weather is going to cooperate. We all know that the sun baked days of shredding park are coming but we will have to wait for spring to decide to come on its own terms. In the meantime we will all have to be content to ride powder...

Mar 23, 2008

The final installment of the King of the Rail went off last week with the best set-up to date. A super technical double C-box “S” combo lead into the “Jail Rail” on the right side and a long flat box into the big down-flat-down box balanced out the left side. The tricks being tossed onto the rails were next-gen stuff!

Mar 13, 2008

Surfers coined the term stoke to represent the exhilaration felt by anyone feeling the flow of riding waves. The feeling of being stoked has transcended beyond surfing and can be achieved by anyone who feels the flow of sliding effortlessly on snow or through thin mountain air.

Mar 7, 2008

Noun- a particular manner or technique by which something is done, created, or performed: fashionable elegance: beauty, grace, or ease of manner or technique: the state of being popular. These are all dictionary definitions of style which, in many ways you either have or don’t have.

Feb 29, 2008

The level of skill being displayed in all of the Whistler Blackcomb Parks is astonishing these days. The progression we are seeing in athletes is at light speed and tricks formerly reserved for the rare mutants are now being thrown with ease by local kids. The Parks all got new set-ups this week, some even seeing changes daily.

Feb 21, 2008

The parks were all going off with over 500 riders per hour lapping through in the blazing sun. The landings were soft and riders were stomping new tricks and learning new grabs. The Superpipe will be back in action this week. The King of the Rail III went off with new features and don't miss the Sapient Snowboards Showcase Showdown on Feb 29th.

Feb 15, 2008

The latter half of the season will be dedicated to bringing back some old school. The secret lines are developing and park riders willing to stray from the classic lines will discover a stack of natural jibs with maintained take-offs and landings. You can expect to see some new rail combos in the Parks as well as the classic spring set-ups we all know and love. Check out Brian Finestone's Full Report.

Feb 8, 2008

More features, more snow, more shredding, you get the picture. The 2007-2008 winter is proving to be a perfect combo of sun and storms. Days of big dumps and the requisite powder and tree riding seem to be balancing with stretches of blue sky park riding days. This week we are back into the storm cycle after some crisp cold clear days last week. During the gaps in the storm the parks grew more experimental features in addition to seeing the installation of several old classic jibs. Check out Brian Finestone's Full Report.

Feb 1, 2008

We have a total of 4 Parks at Whistler Blackcomb and in those Parks we now have a staggering 64 Jibs and 56 jumps plus the Superpipe and Snowcross Course which adds another heap of terrain to the pile. The good news is that we are not done yet and already have designs for at least 6 new jibs for next week, several more jumps, and three more experimental features. Check out Brian Finestone's Full Report.

Jan 24, 2008

We almost had to call in the Mars Bomber because the HL Park was ON FIRE this week! The jumps are in sick shape, pros and ams could be seen spinning and corking new experimental airs that are still un-named. Look for some of the footage captured this week in the video parts of your favorite athletes next year. Check out Brian Finestone's Full Report. Video Room: TELUS Snowcast Episode 6 is online and featuring "Jibbing, Jumping and Ripping"

Jan 17, 2008

Last week the snows came and the mid mountain snow depth topped 2-and-a-half meters which meant two things for Park riders. First it meant that the plow boys could push the snow into a bevy of new jump features which filled in all the empty spaces in the parks and made for good progressive flow. Second it meant that the riding in the trees reached a point where you could trick off the natural organic obstacles in and around the park with softer landings and better pillows. Check out Brian Finestone's Full Report

Jan 10, 2008

This week we got tons of both! That’s right park fans, La Nina has been pummeling Whistler with snow constantly over the last few weeks and the parks are growing with the height of the snow. Whistler’s Habitat Park now has a full set of jumps down the Green Acres Left line with three crisp booters and a great hip leading down Coyote. Check out Brian Finestone's Full Report

Jan 3, 2008

It is dumping on the hills and more snow means more product for the groomers to work with! New jumps are popping up in all parks. The new upper Choker entrance of Blackcomb's Nintendo park is great with a skatepark style flow. The HL is reaching its usual epic size with a good mix of step ups, step overs and step down jumps. Habitat park on Whistler has a super classic street styled "Jail Bar". Done miss the King of the Rail coming January 12th. Check out the full update.

Dec 27, 2007

Blackcomb saw the return of the Big Easy Terrain Garden with four mini rails and two snow features. The Nintendo Terrain Park got a facelift with a higher entrance on Choker. Also new this week is a great mid-size step up jump below entrance to the HL Park in the Nintendo Side. The HL now sports a double entrance for a smooth ride from the spine into the park plus the jumps are growing and the landings are getting longer.

Dec 20, 2007

The snows have arrived and the crew spent the week digging out the features from several waves of storm snow that pummeled the mountains. All the new snow meant riders were lapping powder all morning and then hitting the park in the afternoon for some soft landings. The new snow also means more jump building and snow features will be on next week's menu.

Dec 12, 2007

The Highest Level Park is now in session with an early opening, so get your pass for the year and get busy on the 4 jumps and 3 tech rails with more to come this week. The Superpipe is open with 18-foot walls with laser straight coping. The Nintendo Park on Blackcomb now has 13 features including the C-Box and Tree-Jam. The Habitat Terrain Park on Whistler continues to expand, now with more medium jumps, over 6 boxes and a mix of large, medium and small rails.

Dec 2, 2007

After 14 years, Stu Osborne is moving on. Brian Finestone takes over the Terrain Parks

Nov 23, 2007

There's a good choice of jibs and jumps on both mountains.

Nov 23, 2007

Blackcomb Mountain is now open and the Parks team worked hard to set up several rails and hits for our Park customers.

Oct 22, 2007

Quiksilver Joins Our Quiver

Sept 1, 2007

Fred, Anto, and Eric are wrapping up work on our rails for the 2007.08 season.

Aug 27, 2007

Creating and ensuring our rails are bomber is the task of our ace fabrication crew. Fred and Anto are designing, cutting and welding and Eric covers the painting, paneling, logo stenciling and puck board work.

Aug 16, 2007

The picnic tables were a big hit at the Camp Of Champions this summer so the rail team has added four to our own fleet.

Aug 9, 2007

Anto, Fred and Eric are back working on the rails for the 07/08 season. Many of the rails stayed on hill and will be checked and serviced on site.