Freeride Ski Area for Perisher Blue
Freeride Action at Perisher Blue, Australia
Perisher Blue is the first ski resort in Australia to offer skiers and snowboarders freeride terrain features! The Mini Terrain Park on Front Valley was put in place earlier this month and consists of two boxes - one three metres and one six metres in length.
The term ‘freeride’ refers to a style of skiing or snowboarding that incorporates acrobatic manoeuvres performed on (or off) specific terrain features, for example boxes, rails, halfpipes or jumps. These features are usually housed within freeride terrain parks and found in ski resorts around the world.
Each of the boxes in Perisher Blue’s Mini Terrain Park has been built specifically for the purpose of freeride skiing and snowboarding. They are fashioned from steel frames, which are lined with plywood. Each box is then sheeted with a plastic surface. They are designed to be safe for those who choose to ride, slide or grind them.
These boxes are utilised by skiers and snowboarder to practice difficult freeride moves such as front-side board-slides, fifty-fifty’s, lip slides and tail slides. However you do not have to be a seasoned freerider to use them, as the boxes are constructed with those new to terrain features in mind.
This Mini Terrain Park is just the beginning of what Perisher Blue has planned for skiers and snowboarders in 2006. “It is important that Perisher Blue has these boxes in place so early, because there are lots of competitions on this year and they provide the fundamentals needed for training� says freeride skier Tim Myers. “Last year Perisher Blue’s terrain parks and superpipe were really good and well maintained. This year I have heard they will be even better!�
During the season Perisher Blue intends to open the most extensive freeride terrain in Australia. The plans for this year include three terrain parks, including one for beginner skiers and snowboarders. Perisher Blue will also be home to Australia’s biggest superpipe, which is used for training by the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Snowboard Halfpipe Team. It will also be open to the general public and for variety of competitions, in which skiers and snowboarders will compete for cash prizes.
For more information go to www.perisherblue.com.au.
