Perisher’s award winning terrain parks will be bigger and better than ever in 2015
For Immediate Release: 7 July, 2015
Boasting seven terrain parks and Australia’s biggest halfpipe, Perisher has cemented itself as the number one Park riding destination in the Southern Hemisphere.
Terrain Park Manager, Charles Beckinsale, who is internationally renowned for his innovative park designs and riding success, will continue to manage Perisher parks this season.
“We are looking at the strongest start we have had in recent years with the cold temps allowing the snowmakers to blow lots of snow on the Front Valley Park, couple that with the jibs looking fresh after their summer maintenance. Things are looking good”, says Charles.
The park crew have been busy in the workshop building new features to add to the rail fleet, which is already the largest in the southern hemisphere; the new features will make their way into the seven parks throughout the season.
The PlayStation Slopestyle Park will be the venue for the biggest park events in the country. With the ever changing features, the park will host the Subaru Junior National Freeride Championships, where 6 to 18 year olds will compete in ski and snowboard Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Cross disciplines, with one person to be crowned the Junior National Champion.
Stepping up to the next level, The PlayStation Slopestyle Championships will bring together national level Junior and Senior Slopestyle competitors, throwing down their best moves to be crowned PlayStation’s Champion.
Looking to the world Stage, The Mile High is the top ranked Slopestyle event in the Southern Hemisphere and on the World Snowboard Tour. It will see the best of World and Olympic Slopestyle Skiers and Boarders showcasing their skills at an International level.
Event Director of The Mile High, Richard Hegarty says, “Perisher has become the training ground for all international Slopestyle teams both snowboarding and Freeski. The Mile High event supported by Carlton Dry this year will host virtually every top Slopestyle rider from all nations. Every day through August will be like the Olympics or the X Games. It is great to have a World Class event in Australia and for the athletes to return to year after year, growing in numbers is a huge compliment to the Perisher park crew and is a big boost for the region”.
Last season saw some of the biggest names in snow sports training and competing at Perisher with Olympic Gold medalists Sage Kotsenburg, Joss Christensen and Jamie Anderson, along with many others making the trip to Australia.
Perisher CEO Peter Brulisauer said, “Perisher’s PlayStation Terrain Park ranks amongst the best in the world and is the premier Slopestyle Park in the Southern Hemisphere. Due to the great work the Perisher Terrain Park team have been doing the facility is truly world-class. This is attracting skiing and snowboarding Olympic and World Champions to Perisher to gain valuable training time and compete in a world class event”.
Perisher parks are not just for the pros, anyone wanting to develop their park riding abilities can choose from a range of different park set ups spread across the resort which include jumps, rails, boxes and a mini halfpipe.
This season, Perisher has made it even easier for guests to develop their skills with the Perisher Snowsports School introducing Perisher’s Performance Plus sessions. These three hour sessions, hosted by the Snowsports Schools best park and pipe instructors, will help skiers and boarders learn essential skills for riding the parks and pipe, with the choice between a terrain park session and a halfpipe session.
Perisher Winter Sports Club Head Snowboard Coach Chad Collier said, “Perisher is very proud of the fantastic terrain parks spread across Perisher, Smiggins and Blue Cow. With eight terrain parks and two halfpipes, including the mini pipe for the kids to try for the first time, we have facilities to cater for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.”
“The parks cater to everyone from the kids in our beginner terrain parks, to our Olympic athletes such as World Championships silver medallist skier Russ Henshaw and former world champion halfpipe snowboarder and Nate Johnstone. It really is the only place to be to progress your skiing and snowboarding skills.”
