The latest updates from Whistler Blackcomb's terrain parks.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
With 82 cms of fresh snow since Sunday, 5 cms overnight, and even more in the forecast, it's been one sweet week at Whistler Blackcomb. Check out this video from yesterday for some powder action.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Whistler Blackcomb’s Showcase Showdown is back Saturday, February 28 with a new format; the Backyard Slopestyle. Inspired by the mini-parks in locals’ backyards all over Whistler, the Showdown will blow the scene up with a snowboard slopestyle at the base of Whistler Mountain. Despite the larger venue and cash prizes on the line, the chill vibe of the backyard throwdown will remain. The top three men and women will feature in Sandbox’s next snowboard film “Shine On,” and $5000 cash and prizes from event sponsors including Nixon headphones are up for grabs. The Women’s competition will take place from 9am to 11am. The Men’s competition will start at 11am with Finals starting around 4pm. Athlete Registration InformationAthletes can register in person at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations desk. Registration is $50+GST per rider and is open to 60 men and 20 women. Competitor’s check in will take place on Friday, February 27 at the Village Showcase Snowboards from 5-7pm. ******Helmets and bibs are mandatory for all runs including practice.For registration and more event information call 1-800-766-0449 or visit
www.showcaseshowdown.ca
Thursday, February 12, 2009
King of the Rail Jib Session - Sat. Feb. 14th
King of the Rail is a series of rail jam contests which run on selected Saturday nights under the Magic Chair at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Separate categories for snowboarders and skiers, male and female and adult and youth. Click here for more info about the event and how to register.
Park Rider Sessions presented by TELUS – Sun. Feb. 15th
Park Rider Sessions presented by TELUS features Slopestyle, Rail Jams and Halfpipe. The upcoming Park Rider Session is the Slopestyle being held at the Blackcomb Terrain Park. Competitions open to skiers and snowboarders, all ages welcome. Click here for more info about the event and how to register.
Friday, February 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 skipping school to ski and ride. (Don’t skip school!) This week I witnessed 16-year-olds throwing double back flips, 19-year-olds spinning corked 10s and a 4-year-old slide a four foot round bar. This progression has pushed the Park crew to step up and create the best possible playground for these athletes and then work backwards to ensure we have a smooth progression. The bar is being set high for the next generation and we are doing our best to evolve at the same rate.
The Parks all got new set-ups this week, some even seeing changes daily. On Whistler Mountain we changed up the top section to include a new barrel bonk in addition to the stump jibs as well as freshening up Bobcat with a never-been-tired-before combo box with a quad kink. There are also new jump styles on Chipmunk and two “Skate Style” spines with log and metal coping for every transfer trick imaginable.
The Choker Park saw the addition of the Quicksilver and Nintendo boxes set up in series as mellow up-boxes as well as the addition of a mini shack booter style step over jump. The Superpipe rebuild has resulted in the best pipe I have ridden in a long time and special props go out to Andy Morrison for his epic 17 hour shift grooming the pipe se we can all rip it this week!
The Terrain Garden continues to be one of the busiest parks with hordes of newbie riders getting their legs on the small jumps, mini spine, boxes and rails offered up in this line. We are hoping to add a few more basic flat boxes to the mix so trick development can progress here too.
The HL Park has basically been split into Lucas Land’s rail line for metal grinders and the main park for jumpers. The left line continues to be the BIG XL line while the right side offers up the L / XL multi-takeoff options.
If you have not been up in the parks yet this year, you are missing out! Don’t wait to see it in next year’s vids, come on up today.
See the Photos
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Check today's alpine forecast and tell me it doesn't look like winter's already here. freezing levels, snow, the whole works, and it's early October... might be cause for some backcountry shredding this weekend.
Alpine Recreation Forecast For The South Coast Mountains Issued By Environment Canada At 2 Pm Pdt Wednesday 3 October 2007.
The Next Mountain Forecast Will Be Issued At 5 Am Thursday.
Synopsis..An Upper Trough Of Low Pressure Combined With Moist Westerly Onshore Flow Will Give Cloudy Conditions With The Chance Of Flurries Tonight Through Thursday.
Whistler - Blackcomb.
Tonight..Cloudy With Flurries. Alpine Low Minus 4.
Snowfall Accumulation 5 To 10 Cm.
Freezing Level 1000 Metres.
Mountain Top Winds Light And Variable.
Thursday..Cloudy With A Few Flurries. Risk Of A Thundershower In The Afternoon. Alpine High Minus 1.
Snowfall Accumulation 1 To 3 Cm.
Freezing Level 1000 Metres Rising To 1600 In The Late Afternoon.
Mountain Top Winds Light And Variable.
5 Day Trend..A Weak Ridge Of High Pressure Will Build Over The Region On Friday To Give Mainly Sunny Skies. A Frontal System Will Approach The Region On Saturday Giving A Mix Of Rain And Snow.
A Second Frontal System Will Approach The Region On Sunday To Give Another Mix Of Rain And Snow.
Friday.. A Mix Of Sun And Cloud. Freezing Level 1200 Metres.
Saturday.. A Few Flurries Changing To Rain Showers. Snowfall Accumulation 3 To 5 Cm. Rainfall Amounts 1 To 3 Mm. Freezing Level 1600 Metres.
Sunday.. Rain Changing To Snow. Snowfall Accumulation 10 To 15 Cm.
Rainfall Amounts 5 To 10 Mm. Freezing Level 2200 Metres Falling To 1400 In The Afternoon.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The Whistler Park groomers are the key to the success of the Whistler Habitat Park. Even though the Whistler Park team, day & night, are a smaller crew compared to Blackcomb, they continue to deliver a quality park that riders keep coming back for more. The popularity of the Whistler park continues to grow with a variety of different jumps & rail set ups & enough diversity that riders can choose from S to M to L lines to hit. The Whistler Park groomers have been instrumental in the planning & layout of the Park areas & it helps that 50% of the team came from the day time Parks crew & they all ride the goods they deliver! The Whistler drivers also run the Park Bully snow cats to build the Whistler park which is 100% built out of natural snow. Here’s a little back ground on our Whistler drivers:
Dave Murphy
With 7 years under his belt & coming from grooming the Blackcomb park, Dave was the natural choice to be our Whistler Park grooming lead hand. Dave also diversifies his skills by working in the Bike Park in the summer and volunteering his time for the Whistler Skateboard Association by assisting in the ramp construction in Creekside. Dave is an avid skateboarder & rides what he builds in the parks. “I like to be creative & try to make everyone happy with what I build. I ride what I build. I contribute my skate experience to the park grooming & shaping.” 
Anto Orts
First season operating a snow cat full time but Anto has been in snow cats for several years via summer glacier operations & helping out the Park drivers last season. Anto was the lead hand for the Whistler Park for 5 years & knows what it takes to make a great park. Now on the other side of the wheel, so to say, Anto brings realism to the park product & ensures what we dream up is achievable to build & maintain via the snow cat. Anto is also responsible for most of the rail creations in the Whistler Park & assisted for the artwork on them. “I like to keep the park fun to ride & creative”.
Chris Lamb
Second season driving and previously a Park host & lead hand. Chris “Chops” Lamb got his first go @ driving a snow cat for summer glacier operations. Chops also works in the Whistler Bike Park during the summer months. “I really enjoy building jumps & riding them the next day unless it’s a pow day then I’m off to tear up the deep stuff. I’m really happy with the park set up over here as it’s all connected. I find this park is a bit more human as it offers features for never evers up to the seasoned shredders”.
KC Anderson
Second season running the rig & comes from a snowboard retail background. KC used to work for Showcase Snowboard Shop in the village and has been involved in front line sales in snowboard shops since 1997. “I ride & relate my work to snowboarding. I get to drive the best machines out there & be part of one of the largest grooming fleets in North America. I get top use my creativity in shaping & creating the hits. Go ride the Park!”
Monday, February 05, 2007
We are very lucky to have 7 dedicated Park groomers on Blackcomb, Marty Gautrey, Oleksander Iskat, Kirby Litzenberger, Jason Josling, Lucas Ouellete & missing from the photos, Tim Austin & Andy Morrison. Marty is the lead hand & Kirby & Andy are our pipe shapers. Our grooming team is the best ever, bringing grooming experience & a Park background to the team. Nothing happens in our parks & pipe without our Groomers who continue to deliver quality building & grooming each night.
The Park staff take care of the hits during the day & the lead hands, Fred Lepage & Eric Gendron, pass on the maintenance & new build requests to Marty & Olex @ the start of their grooming shift. Our Groomers use Pisten Bully snow cats & specifically the Park Bully model. Specialized combing teeth have been added to the Park cat blades for even better ramp shaping when back blading. The Park groomers also use forks which attach to the snow cat blade to move & install the rails. We all owe a huge thank you to our Park groomers on Blackcomb for all their hard work & dedication in bringing you the best Parks & Pipe experience. Here’s a little back ground on our drivers:
Marty Guatrey – Lead hand & grooming the B Park since 1990. Marty started in Lake Louise, made the move to Whistler & has been working in the Parks in winter & Bike Park in the summer. Marty likes working with the younger crew & enjoys skiing what he builds. “I love building jumps. It’s challenging to build & progress with the skiers & snowboarders needs. It’s great to watch people having fun & enjoying my work & I do have a beautiful work environment”.
Oleksander Iskat – Works opposite shifts to Marty & leads the team on Marty’s days off. Olex has been grooming in the Park for 5 years & also has been a key member of the Bike Park in the summer. “I get to build what I want to ride & have the freedom to build an idea. I try to make everything I build as safe as possible. I may not ride the biggest hits but I’m happy to see people progress on our features”.
Jason Josling – 2nd year in the park grooming. J was mostly in the Terrain Garden last season and now grooms the main Nintendo Park & helps out in the Highest Level when needed. “I’m still learning but feel I’m 100% better than last season. My job takes precision, a skilled eye & attention to detail. I try to make everything safe, rideable & fun”.
left to right: Oleksander, Lucas, Kirby, Marty & Jason
Lucas Ouellette – 1st season grooming & worked on the Parks day crew last season. Lucas is mostly in the Terrain Garden but is also working on the secret jib & jump section in the Highest Level Park “I like building stuff & hitting it the next day. It can be lonely @ times yet peaceful inside the snow cat. I crank up the punk rock tunes & build the jumps.”
Kirby Litzenberger – 6 seasons @ Whistler & specifically grooming the super pipe. Kirby took a couple of seasons off but we are stoked that he is back on our pipe team once again. Top riders know when Kirby has cut the pipe, it rides perfect. Kirby built his first pipe in 1988. “It takes vigilance to build the best pipe possible. I want to build & maintain the best pipe. Being rated #2 for pipe is not good enough. Southern Cali is all hype”.
Tim Austin – 2nd year Grooming the Parks & also came from Park day crew. Tim rides what he builds & rides hard. Tim started grooming the Terrain Garden his first season & is now involved in the main Nintendo Park grooming team.
Andy Morrison – Our longest serving groomer with over 16 years of grooming experience, Andy works on the winter & summer Glacier half pipes. Andy has been pipe shaping for over 5 years & has used the Pipe Dragon & the Zaugg Pipe shapers.
left to right back row: Lucas, Oleksander, Marty. Front row = Kirby & Jason
Monday, February 05, 2007
OK nobody was stalking him, but Stu's update does read a bit like that... here it is.
Olympic gold medal in half pipe, multiple gold in the X Games & one of the most recognized & sought after riders is here in Whistler. Shaun White graced Whistler Blackcomb with his presence & un real riding skills while filming for some TV commercials. Shaun was riding in both the Whistler & Blackcomb Parks but the filming was set to occur in the Highest Level & Super Pipe on Blackcomb. I had the chance to hook up & chat with Shaun @ the top of the super pipe. Shaun was stoked on our Parks & really liked our set ups & mentioned we had a lot more snow than @ other resorts he had checked out in his travels. Although sponsored by another ski resort, it was obvious Shaun was impressed with the Whistler Blackcomb Parks & Pipe! Shaun blew on lookers minds with huge tricks in the pipe and off our various rails & booters on his runs. Snow & flat light shut down the HL booter shoot on the weekend so next action is in the half pipe early this week.
This shot's a bit papparazzi, but hey, why not.
Excellent snow conditions combined with outstanding building by the Park groomers has brought the Highest Level Park to an all time high. The HL Park is entertaining the top riders & skiers & blowing the on lookers minds. A new combo rail by the shack booter followed by the 50 foot flat bar plus there is another single pipe kink rail going in below that which will keep the jibbers challenged.
All the table tops have received some love and are now getting into the huge category. Looks like the weather will continue to hold the high pressure so more advancements will be made on the right line for the HL park along with more rails to go in. In the Nintendo Park extra rail and table tops have been added so there’s lots to choose from outside the HL Park. Park riding has never been so good, come up & experience it for yourself.
Our W park has never looked so good. Lots of action on the new Bobcat hit & rail line…
Whistler Habitat Park Expansion
The Habitat Park on Whistler now has two distinct & separate lines to meet everyone’s needs. The lower line or Chipmunk run of Habitat continues to offer S to M features and now has snow & rail features top to bottom. The park groomers & staff have now extended the upper line or Bobcat run to include several L table tops, a huge step up, a series of street style rails and a barrel bonk to finish it off. The new Bobcat line is packed with riders & skiers trying out new & old tricks. Great weather & warmer temperatures up top is making for excellent riding in the Parks so come see why the Whistler Habitat park is the best it’s ever been!
Whistler is having on of the best seasons ever! Endless fresh snow keeps falling (27+ feet and still counting) and we are well over a 3 meter base now.
Yep, that's a rail.
The fresh pow makes for epic riding but is actually slowing down the Parks expansion as we have to continuously dig out the rails, features & rebuild the park almost weekly! The park staff do their best to clear off snow on the rails & hits so our park riders can still hit the features each day. At night, our park groomers are plowing the snow off, rebuilding table tops and rail platforms.
Huge thanx to the day & night Parks team for making the effort each day to offer you the best park riding experience. Fences buried to the top & waist to chest deep drifts around the rails is giving the Parks team a work out almost every day.
Maybe the on line contest www.ifullrwasagirl.com is causing Ullr to be vengeful with the all the snow this season!?
So if you’re up here and in the park, enjoy it, and props to the team for keeping it in shape. If you’re up here and out of the park, well, you know how good it is, we don’t need to remind you. And if you're not here, well, you know what to do...
You probably already know about the contest currently going down with $25 grand up for grabs. Whistler Blackcomb is running an on line contest called if ullr was a girl, and still with almost 2 months to go there’s 200+ girls vying for top spot, and more signing up daily. What does it have to do with the park?
Finalists will win a trip to Whistler during the Telus Ski & Snowboard Festival & all kinds of events & activities are planned to finally choose one winner for the Open & Amateur Categories.
To get the stoke on here in Whistler, Anto Orts custom painted a down box with the Ullr contest artwork. The ifullrwasagirl down box is set up in the Highest Level park & is open to guys & girls to hit.
Check out the website & help choose who you think is the ultimate female Ullr! Meanwhile for the ladies… start hitting the Ullr box, who knows, it may be one of the challenges for the finalists!
Monday, December 18, 2006
It’s been epic snow in Whistler with powder conditions almost daily. Not that you should be spending too much time in the park when there's this much insane snow, but that doesn't stop the crew.
The Park teams have been digging out rails, building, fences, signs, etc. with shovels & snow cats! Lots of new snow & more groomers coming on line means the Parks will expand just in time for the holiday season.
Expect to see more rails & hits going in on the Habitat Park as we expand onto the Bobcat line and add more M – L features including some of the new rails. Over on Blackcomb, the Highest Level Park will also see more of our new technical rails being installed along with more hits & jibs on the main Nintendo park. We should have the Terrain Garden ready just before Christmas.
Huge props to the day & night Park teams for dealing with all the snow. Ullr, you’re doing a great job so far this winter!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
The competition is going strong, here's this week's snowboarder Ullr Girl of the Week.
 Isa, queen of the rails. Between designing and building boxes and rails for people to ride in parks around the world, Isabelle spends her time chasing snow between Snowpark, NZ and Aspen Snowmass, CO. Check out her full profile
There are over 280 ladies on the site with profiles and pics to prove why they should be Whistler Blackcomb's Ullr Girl. And, if judging this event is your idea of the dream job, sign up to be a judge, and you and a buddy could win an all expenses paid trip to Whistler for the Ullr Girl Finals during the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
Matchstick Productions & Standard Films paired up once again for an epic jump and film/photo shoot on Whistler. Ace cat driver Curtis Von Cube & I worked for a week to create the vision that was presented to us by Mike Douglas & the MSP crew. Curtis & I were asked to build a cross over jump so skiers could air over & under each other at the same time. The X jump was built in the Burnt Stew area just before the Flute gate entrance. Curtis did an outstanding job on the build and I assisted with measurements & kicker shaping.  X Jump completed. The second jump site was near the bottom of Frontier pass off the top of the Peak chair. Curtis once again re worked the jump to the groups desires and made the jump perfect once again. The Standard Films crew joined in on the Frontier jump and once all athletes figured out speed for the in run, the action was unreal.  The end of the day to sunset shooting will be something to see in the magazines & part of the Standard Films & Matchstick Productions releases this fall! Big thanx to Curtis for his fine cat work & Mike Douglas for the daily consultations & for helping us dig & shape the kicker for the Frontier jump site. Recognition to Patroller Shawn Beaudoin who helped with all the fencing, gear shuttles & general all around help before & during the shoots.  Kurtis finished with the X.
Hey All, We didn't get a chance to post our Festival ending update for y'all, so I just wanted to give the link to our Parks & Pipes Page where you'll find our last update for the year from Blackcomb. It was an epic season on both mountains, and even with Blackcomb resting up for next year Whistler is still open and going strong until June 4th. We've also got a new video on the homepage. Spring shredding is finally here...
The Telus Ski & Snowboard Festival is upon us! Several usual events will take place including skier & rider super pipe and big air. One new event that took place this weekend at the top of the Emerald chair on Whistler was The Stompede. The Stompede challenged skiers & riders to put on a slopetsyle type run thru hits & rails condensed into one area.
Who took the crowns? Kaya Turski again took first place in the women's ski category and Mike Henitiuk won the men's. For riders, Star of Peace Quinn was crowned winner of the women's snowboard Stompede, and Craig Beaulieau, landed in first in the men's snowboard finals.
For a behind the scenes of what went into building the Stompede...
Snow cats prep the Stompede event site.
Park Lead Hand Anto Orts and Park groomer Keith Zajac were building the features for Stompede & the park rangers helped out with final shaping. Local & Atomic rider Dennis Bannock provided input for the course design which Anto & Keith were creating. Everything you can imagine was on the Stompede course including a huge channel gap with a box suspended over it, vertical log jib and multi face cowboy hat table top.
Park Ranger Loreti shapes the vertical log jib
There's plenty more action coming later this week. For more info on the Festival running until April 23, check out www.wssf.com or http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/twssf.
![pp_april12_5[1].jpg](http://files.colonies.com/UserData/558448/BlogPhotos/pp_april12_5[1].jpg)
Keith steps out of the cat to inspect suspended box
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Rider on Westbeach Kink.
Sorry it took us a while to get this one up, stay tuned for another update coming really soon....
The B parks team have been busy creating a totally unique skate bowl style snow feature just above the HighestLevelPark entrance. The Park Rangers have hand shoveled a multi line bowl with kickers, garbage can lid, rail & maze gate features. The dsrop in is from the back of the hip and the Parks crew are expanding the bowl from 2 – 4 bowls that will flow right past the back of the HL Park entrance building. Skiers and riders have been having a blast trying to get multi hits in the mini bowl.
Pointing out mini bowl.
Kevin Sansalone and the Sandbox film crew had a big session on this unique set up for the upcoming release. The parks crew only ask if you hit it up, help fix it up & the team work has been going really well. Pro skiers Callum & Sean Petit were also riding the bowl for hours as it is much easier for them being juniors and riding on shorter skis! The Highest Level table tops are riding well & the Westbeach battleship kink is also now up & open to jib. Blackcopmb closes on April 23 so get up & enjoy some of the best Parks in the world. The World Ski & Snowboard Festival is coming up soon with the Stompede rail jam on W, super pipe on Blackcomb & the night time big air in the village. Check out the best skiers & riders in action April 15 – 22. For more info check out www.wssf.com.
Tim Rail Grind
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Dave on double rail.
Last week the Whistler Parks team was busy working on some new hits & set ups. The step up jump under the emerald chair is riding well and leads riders into the S – M park. The Parks team will be building a smaller version o fteh step up next to this hit & move the easy box down hill for better flow. Two rails have been joined to make a technical ride in the M – L section of the Habitat park. The tables are flowing nicely and into a series of jibs and the step down box. Rail and jump set ups continue to evolve weekly in the WhistlerHabitatPark, come join the fun!
![loreti on W step up[1].jpg](http://files.colonies.com/UserData/558448/BlogPhotos/loreti%20on%20W%20step%20up[1].jpg)
Loreti on step-up.
Suitcase air.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Park Ranger Loreti in the clouds on double box
The Whistler Parks team has now set up a double box combo that has been attracting a lot of attention. Top riders & skiers have been challenging the set up including Mathieu Chamberlain who slid the entire set up with ease. The double box set up took some time to set up perfectly with the help of Park Ranger James and Park Groomer Chops putting in the finishing touches on the install. The double box & other new snow & rail set ups will be included in the upcoming Sprite Park Rider Series Slope Style event in the HabitatPark on Sun, March 19.
Front view on the double box set up
Parks staff had a treat last weekend when I took them down to the Korn concert in Vancouver. The ride to & from the show was an event in itself as we rented the Canadian Snowmobile Adventures van with one of our volunteers Brannon taking on the chauffeur role. All of us had a blast and the show was well deserved recognition for my Parks team. For the record, the Parks team on Blackcomb is Fred Lepage, Eric Gendron, Phil Turbide, Steven Pitt, Jonathan Turbide, Tyler Weed, Mark Badger, Lucas Ouellette & Matt Poynter. Parks team on Whistler is Anto Orts, James Sayers, Dave Shannon, Chris Loreti & Dean Newman. Thanx to my crew for all their hard work each day in the Parks this season.
Fred, Anto, Steve, Dave, Tyler, James, Jonathan, Eric & Chris after the Korn show @ GM Place
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Construction is under way for this weekends 9th Annual Sapient Showcase Showdown in the Blackcomb Night Pipe at Base 2 this weekend! Events and diggers are putting the final touches on the site today, and the weather looks sweet for the event: cold and clear!
Spectators can access the event via the Blackcomb Village Gondola; the Night Pipe is just above the Magic Chair.
Check it out; there are tons of prize giveaways for the crowd from Sapient, Option, Vans, Anon, Salomon, 32, Forum and Volcom.
Details... http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/showdown.htm
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Photo by Anto Orts
The Whistler Parks team continues to be creative with man made & natural jib set ups. Try out the new upper Park entrance which has 2 separate lines down to the Jolly Green Giant run into the HabitatPark. The first drop in takes you over a step down table with snow stairs dug under it and leads into the newly installed mini wall ride. The second drop in has the easy rainbow and kink box for an easier jib entrance to the park. On the natural side, the Rangers have the goal post log jib suspended from the trees for that wooden jib feel. The log is tied to the trees and continues to provide fun for our Park users.
Photo by Anto Orts
Photo by Anto Orts
Over on Blackcomb the TerrainGarden now has a new box donated from the Night Moves stock. Four mini jibs from Whistler Kids will be installed on the Countdown merge road into the lower section of the Garden for more entry level jibbing Great grooming & weather will keep the Parks fun on both mountains this week.
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