Heavenly Mountain Resort celebrated the return of the half pipe on Jan. 19, 2013, after a five-year hiatus. The half pipe can be accessed via Canyon Express Chairlift on the California side of the mountain inside High Roller Terrain Park, which will also be opening for the first time this season. It is currently the only half pipe on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.
"With Lake Tahoe as a backdrop, this half pipe will feature, hands-down, the best views from any half pipe in the U.S.," said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly's general manager. "Heavenly is committed to providing the most high-energy atmosphere possible, and the return of the half pipe and the attention we’re putting into our parks really shows Heavenly's 'All In' attitude."
Heavenly has teamed with Snow Park Technologies to create the 18-foot-tall and 450-foot-long half pipe that is designed to accommodate a variety of ability levels and encourage a learning environment. The 16.5-degree angle of the slope provides an ideal amount of boost out of the pipe for all types of skiers and riders. The half pipe's location and north-facing orientation creates a uniform consistency between both sides of the pipe, meaning one side will not melt faster than the other.
"This is easily the best pipe we have ever had here, and we built it in record time - just nine days," said Heavenly Terrain Park manager Mike Thomas. "The collaboration between the Heavenly Terrain Park Crew, SPT, snowmaking and grooming was really impressive."
Of Heavenly's three High Roller-branded terrain parks, High Roller Park is the premier park. It has been re-designed this season to include rails, boxes, jumps, and other fun jib features, both above and below the location of the half pipe. This layout creates the ultimate mix of park and pipe, all in one run.
For more information on Heavenly's High Roller Terrain Parks, or the half pipe, visit www.skiheavenly.com.