How To Build A Halfpipe

A month late, but still interesting! Here's a panoramic view, courtesy of the New York Times, of the pipe at Stratton, along with some audio commentary from Pat Malendoski, of Planet Snowtools.

The related article, which you can find here, probably belongs in the snowboarding forum, but oh well.

Anyone have any other pics on how they build halfpipes? I'd love to see how one is formed. I've seen the special Cat attachments for grooming a halfpipe, but do pipes have a wood or metal base to shape the formation, or are they "all-natural?"

Did you say hashpipe or halfpipe?

Actually, that machine is called a pipe dragon and is used at most resorts here in the East

At most places, they just run the snowmakers overtime to pile up enough material for the machines to carve out the shape of the pipe. I drove past Snowmass, (I think that's where I saw this) last fall and they appeared to be carving out a large trench in the hillside. I believe they were making a "permanent" home for a half-pipe there. Other resorts can't be too far behind in doing the same thing. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by reducedfatoreo 

A month late, but still interesting! Here's a panoramic view, courtesy of the New York Times, of the pipe at Stratton, along with some audio commentary from Pat Malendoski, of Planet Snowtools.

 

The related article, which you can find here, probably belongs in the snowboarding forum, but oh well.

 

Anyone have any other pics on how they build halfpipes? I'd love to see how one is formed. I've seen the special Cat attachments for grooming a halfpipe, but do pipes have a wood or metal base to shape the formation, or are they "all-natural?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by reducedfatoreo 

 I've seen the special Cat attachments for grooming a halfpipe, but do pipes have a wood or metal base to shape the formation, or are they "all-natural?"

There's no wood or metal. It can be either all snow or it can be partly dirt. You can build up a dirt halfpipe in the summer and cover it with snow but then you have to be very careful not to dig into the dirt when you cut it. It saves a lot of money and lets you open sooner because you don't have to blow as much snow.

As for the machinery itself, my understanding is that the pipe dragon is kind of old school and the Zaug is supposed to be much better.