2014 is the
first year that slopestyle skiing and snowboarding events are in the Winter
Olympics. In slopestyle, riders navigate a course to slide multiple
rails and land tricks on large jumps. The sport, however, has been extremely
common on ski areas for the last 10-15 years. Mt La Crosse has taken a minimal
approach in building courses.
Its freestyle terrain features three small
jumps and ten rails. These
features are rarely maintained and as a result can be quite dangerous. Last
year’s commemorative rail jam was the first event of its kind at Mt Lax, but
the state championship for ski racing is held there each year.
While
Midwest ski areas lack the elevation and snowfall of major resorts on
the West Coast, a slopestyle course, or terrain park requires a minimal amount
of snow. As a result, most Midwest resorts invest a lot of time and energy into
building a fun and safe course for their riders.
Voted
Transworld Snowboard magazine’s number one resort in the Midwest, Granite Peak
in Wausau, Wisconsin has taken great steps in catering to the freestyle
snowboarders and skiers in the area. The parks feature over 20 jumps ranging
up to 65’, and more than 40 rail features. Each year the resort sets up rail
jams, big air competitions, and sponsored events from major industry brands.
People from all over the Midwest pour in to ride their features, and
participate.
“We have two
staffed employees that run the groomer for the park,” says Granite Peak
employee Kelsey Basylnd. “They’re out there every day to make sure everything
is maintained and safe.”
While
adoption of these features isn’t required for a resort to be successful,
looking at the local population causes some to question if Mt La Crosse is
missing an opportunity. Skiing and snowboarding is very popular among college
aged men and women, and effectively built terrain can be a deciding factor for
these riders, especially when they are struggling to afford lift tickets.
