SNOW PARK NZ – A Sunset Session at the World’s Top Terrain Park

Australia’s Boen Ferguson checking out the sunset behind his tail grab

Words and images | Ben Hansen

While in NZ for the World Heli Challenge and NZ Winter Games, Boen Ferguson, Charlie Timmins, Chris Booth, Buller grom Mitch Reeves and some other legends like Italy’s Marcus Eder took a few days to check out what Snow Park has to offer the world.

Snow Park is definitely one of the most fun resorts to ride in the world.

If you’re into park skiing this place, just outside Wanaka on NZ’s South Island, is a winter wonderland, one chairlift that lets you access one of the highest quality terrain parks in the world, one renowned for hosting pro athletes from all over the world, who come to train and shoot there during the winter.

Snow Park NZ has three main lines to take once at the top; a tough choice between one of the best halfpipes in the world, a top quality jump line with three daring kickers and a rail line with so much variety, every run feels like a new park. Three nights a week it is also open for night riding,

Snow Park offers any skier or boarder at any level a fun day on the hill and they are on the ball when it comes to building great features and making sure there are plenty of them. Over the past few days I watched as they pushed up a big step-up for a bag jump, a big quarter pipe, a hip jump and cut their pipe to perfection. Unfortunately I couldn’t stick around to see what the boys will do with them but I’m sure it will be sweet.

With the halfpipe and slopestyle now in the Olympics, some of the riders would almost call this a gym, everything you need to train and progress and push the sports of skiing and snowboarding.

Boen Ferguson testing out Snow Park’s rail line

“When you start to think about skiing in terms of ‘training’, it’s clear why Snow Park comes to the fore as the ideal location. If you are going to progress your skiing you need a range of terrain features that enable you to build into new tricks, Snow Park has that. If you are going to learn quickly you need a quick lap time, Snow Park has that. And finally, if you are going to have any chance of getting into any sort of routine, you need lots of nice sunny days up on the hill. Snow Park has that too, making a terrific, training, trifecta“. – Boen Ferguson

Boen Ferguson and Charlie Timmins will be competing in the upcoming NZ Winter Games, beginning the three year athletic journey to the 2014 Olympic halfpipe in Russia. Halfpipe and slopestyle have both been recently added to the list of Olympic sports, it is very exciting to have these new Olympic events and to see our very own Jindabyne locals beginning to train for the Aussie Olympic team. Snow Park will be a stomping ground for our Aussie athletes aiming for Sochi and future Olympics.

Charlie Timmins, 720 tail grab as the sun sets over Snow Park

“I’m in New Zealand to compete in a few events, (World Heli Challenge, NZ Open, Winter Games) and really just to get back into the competition scene. I haven’t competed in big events for about two years and in all honestly am lagging in the slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines. Competing in Australia alone doesn’t give adequate experience for a skier hoping to become competitive at an international level. Here in Wanaka we have access to Olympic sized halfpipes, big jumps and internationally acclaimed competitions such as the NZ Open. These components together create an environment that allows a skier to reach their full potential, which I guess is my goal as an athlete. So here I am.” – Charlie Timmins

the Snow Park ride begins with a hair-rising, thrilling mountain road, complete with epic views

Stay for night riding and you’ll be treated to an astounding sunset vista

Marcus Eder hits the staircase

Chris Booth, Marcus Eder and Boen Ferguson at Snow Park

Downtown Wanaka is just a short drive away, a winter-time haven for the snow obsessed

Charlie Timmins takes on Snow Park’s staircase as coffee drinkers watch from the cafe

Refuel

Chris Booth, usually a big mountain skier, is tempted by Snow Park’s jib features

Italy’s Marcus Eder discovers what Snow Park has to offer with a rodeo off a rail

One chairlift gives access to one of the world’s most exciting terrain parks

Snow Park’s character is shaped by the plethora of riders who come to master their craft, bringing with them the badges of their own snow communities – stickers

Boen Ferguson, Z kinked rail

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