Pipelines

Directly influenced by skateboarding’s wooden halfpipes, snowboarding halfpipes started showing up in the early 1980s. The halfpipe is a formation in the shape of an imaginary pipe sawed in half. Natural gullies served as the first “halfpipes” for snowboarders in the early days, or riders simply started hand-digging trenches. They were oddly shaped and hard to ride, but riding enthusiasts still went for it. One of the first snowboarding halfpipes in the country debuted at Park West, (now known as The Canyons). In 1987, riders migrated to Utah to ride this dug-out snow ditch.

Snowboarding tricks evolved from skateboarding tricks. The mid-80s saw advancements in tricks, and by early 1990, snowboarding pipes started taking better shape, especially with the help of high-tech cutting and grooming equipment.

Halfpipe technology took a huge step forward with the invention of the pipe dragon, a grooming machine that cuts a near-perfect, uniform halfpipe without a crew of snowboarders and their shovels. The second biggest halfpipe evolution in recent pipe history is the development of the superpipe—an enlarged halfpipe form which allows riders to catch the really big air that has helped promote the sport of snowboarding and set new levels in competition.

Halfpipe snowboarding came into the spotlight and was made popular during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The snowboarding event at Park City Mountain Resort is considered one of the greatest moments in snowboarding history. U.S. snowboarders Ross Powers, JJ Tomas and Danny Kass took the top three awards in the men’s halfpipe event, and Kelly Clark took the women’s gold medal. The best riders in the world still visit and ride at Park City Mountain Resort’s superpipe.

The Next Generation of Halfpipes

Pipe dragons have been the standard in the industry for building halfpipes (Pipe dragons are attachments for the front of pipe grooming bashers that cut a perfect quarter circle, allowing long transitions to be cut uniformly.) The pipe dragon is now being replaced with the next generation in halfpipe construction machines, “The Zaugg” pipe monster. The Zaugg pipe monster creates 22-foot shaped walls perfectly fit for snowboards.

Park City’s Own

Park City snowboarder Ricky Bower has become one of the top halfpipe riders in the country and is now coaching the super stars of the sport. Ricky started snowboarding at Park West at a very young age. Unfortunately, he blew out his knee prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and had to sit in the stands, cheering his fellow snowboarders on to American victory. Ricky was on the U.S. Snowboard Team for years and is still considered a top rider. He is now coaching “The Collection,” a team made up of former and future Olympians focused on halfpipe riding and contests. Ricky is “retired,” but did place seventh overall in the 2005 World Superpipe Championships at Park City Mountain Resort.

Where to Ride Halfpipes in Utah

Park City Mountain Resort, Brigh-ton, Snowbasin and Snowbird all offer halfpipe riding. The Canyons has a natural halfpipe gully—a cool ride because it resembles the roots of snowboarding’s halfpipe. Park City Mountain resort continues to be one of the best places to ride halfpipes in North America. Always wear a helmet when riding a halfpipe and take a lesson if you are really interested. The pro riders make halfpipe riding look easy—but catch an edge in a halfpipe, and it could be your last ride.

Park City-based photographer/cinematographer Richard Cheski has been documenting snowboarding since 1988. He is currently working on pipemovie.com, a historical film about the evolution of the halfpipe.

Halfpipe Lingo

Dude. Get in the groove. Here’s what all of the halfpipe lingo means:

The Halfpipe Wall—The section of a halfpipe that slopes up from the flat bottom, propelling the rider into the air.

Halfpipe Transition—The section of a halfpipe where it “transitions” from the flat bottom to the vertical wall.

Halfpipe Lip—The upper edge of the halfpipe where the wall ends.

Halfpipe Deck—The flat area on either side of the halfpipe where people hike back up the pipe or stand and watch.

Dropping or Dropping In—To start a run inside the halfpipe, you first “drop in.”

Hit—Each time a rider goes into the air and performs a trick, it’s called a hit.

Straight Air—When a rider goes into the air and pivots 180 degrees to re-enter the pipe but does not spin around while in the air.

Grab—A trick whereby a rider goes into the air and grabs the snowboard. Some common grab names are: method, lien, stalefish, melancholy, indy, mute, tail, and nose.

Spin or Rotation—When a rider goes into the air and spins 360 degrees or more before coming back down into the pipe.

Frontside Wall and Backside Wall—Describes which way a rider is facing when going up the wall of a halfpipe. A frontside wall could be either side of the pipe; it just means that the rider is going up it on his/her frontside (or toeside) edge with their back facing down the pipe. A backside wall means a rider is going up it on his/her backside (or heelside) edge, chest facing down the halfpipe.

Judging Halfpipe

The snowboarding halfpipe is judged by five judges who each score a specific aspect of the performance:
1) Straight airs
2) Rotations
3) Amplitude
4) and 5) Overall impression

Overall Impression—Two judges score for overall impression, so it is counted double. These judges are looking at how the overall run was put together. Were difficult tricks performed back-to-back? Did one trick flow smoothly to the next? Did the rider maintain smoothness and style throughout the run?

You Be The Judge

Check out the World Superpipe Championships at Park City Mountain Resort, March 11 & 12, 2006. www.parkcitymountain.com.