Terrain Park

Select Appropriate Freestyle Terrain

Know Your Limits

Your condition, speed, balance, body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will directly affect your desired outcome.

Know the intended use of the freestyle terrain you have chosen. For example, some features are intended to be used in a series with no stopping, others have stopping areas. Jump takeoffs are for jumping and rail takeoffs are for entering onto rails (not jumping to the side).

Your actions can take you out of balance and cause serious injury or death, no matter how the feature is designed or where you land. Land on your feet.

Transitions are changes in the shape and pitch of the snow or feature, or changes from one type of sliding surface to another. Transitions can be gentle or abrupt, and demand that users be alert and respond to them with accurate movements.

Know where to land. The sweet spot is between the “knuckle” and center of the landing zone. Even if you land on or near the sweet spot, you can still be seriously injured or die if your landing posture is incorrect.

Inverted maneuvers are not recommended.

Be aware that features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day.

Read and obey all posted signs, instructions and warnings before using freestyle terrain.

Some resorts designate features as small, medium and large. Be aware these ratings are determined by size, not degree of difficulty, and are relative only to that resort.

Four Main Points of 

Smart Style

1. Make a Plan
Every time you use freestyle terrain, make a plan for each feature you want to use. Your speed, approach and takeoff will directly affect your maneuvering and landing.

2. Easy Style It
Know your limits and ski/ride within your ability level. Look for small progression parks or features to begin with and work your way up. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground and in the air. Do not attempt any features unless you have sufficient ability and experience to do so safely. Inverted aerials increase your risk of injury and are not recommended.

3. Look Before You Leap
Before getting into freestyle terrain, observe all signage and warnings. Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Use your first run as a warm-up run and to familiarize yourself with the terrain. Be aware that the features change constantly due to weather, usage, grooming and time of day. Do not jump blindly and use a spotter when necessary.

4. Respect Gets Respect
Respect the terrain and others. One person on a feature at a time. Wait your turn and call your start. Always clear the landing area quickly. Respect all signs and stay off closed terrain and features.