November 1, 2005
So Which Mountains have the New 22’ Pipe Monster??!

Ooh, wouldn’t we like to know . . . so here it is, direct from Paul Leck, President of Zaugg North America in McCoy Colorado (they distribute the Pipe Monster Halfpipe grooming machines).

Looks like first up is Park City Mountain Resort, UT . . . they deserve all the credit for stepping up to the plate, but after the success of the test pipe in Winterpark last spring they decided to go for it.

Also in the works is Heavenly in Lake Tahoe, CA, theirs is due to arrive in the next month.

Many other resorts have expressed interest but are waiting 'til next season . . . ?!@%#?!

So for now go to Park City Mountain Resort’s snowboard website at www.pcride.com, see what they’ve got planned . . . and head there soon.

September 29, 2005
Photo Gallery now up of HCSC Summer 2005, Timberline Mt Hood, OR

What stands out is that on the lowest snow-pack experienced during the summer season yet, High Cascade still had a pipe right to the very end. This year they built a late summer pipe above the ski lanes at the very top of the resort area. There was some great riding to be had all summer long.

Check out what High Cascade had to say about it in their news section - http://www.highcascade.com/news_new_aug_pipe.html

Now click here to get a pictorial version of what happened this summer…there are some great shots, thanks to Kev at High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Adam Moran at Burton. See you next summer!

June 20, 2005
Burton Abominable SnowJam, Timberline Mt Hood, OR

This was the second annual Abominable SnowJam at Timberline Mt Hood. The event consisted of a 35-ft quarterpipe and a superpipe held on High Cascade Snowboard Camp’s facilities, which of course were built by Pat and Jake at Planet Snow Design (they do High Cascade’s park and pipe all summer long). There is also a slopestyle held elsewhere on Timberline.

Due to rain and snow events were cancelled on Friday but weather cleared up for a Saturday start. Here’s what Burton wrote about the QP. "The quarterpipe, created by Planet Snow Designs and High Cascade Snowboard Camp, was a true work of art. A steep run-in rolled into a huge transition up to the top of the 35-foot behemoth. The deck of the quarterpipe looked like a parade float with blow-up palm trees, a giant dancing marshmallow, 20-foot Burton height poles, banners galore and, of course, the ASJ yeti and his newfound yeti girlfriend. The atmosphere was fun, laid back and included a daylong barbeque." Sounds like fun huh. Highlights from the 35-foot QP included a monster McTwist outta Chad Otterstrom (which was also the biggest air of the day), and Nicolas Muller’s one-footed McTwist.

Sunday the weather was even better for the superpipe event. Jen Sherowski at Transworld wrote "despite Mt. Hood's ominous lack of snow heading into this summer, (the halfpipe) was groomed to perfection and 'totally reliable,' as I heard one female competitor say." Way to go Pat and Jake.

Here are a couple of photos from the QP courtesy of Adam Moran at Burton, thanks!

Log on to www.abominablesnowjam.com for more photos and results.

And of course www.transworldsnowboarding.com has photos and stories too.

April 27, 2005
Planet Builds Biggest Halfpipe in N. America, Winter Park Resort, CO

Planet Snow Design in conjunction with Winterpark Resort in Colorado, Zaugg and CAMO (formerly Bombardier) built the very first halfpipe in North America with the redesigned Pipe-Monster 22. Test riders were the Burton Global Team and the result: a big thumbs up for the new bigger-sized pipe…it’s going to be hard to go back to yesterday’s superpipe (at a mere 18 ft radius).

“Zaugg’s redesigned pipe monster has a 22-ft shape, and makes for a smooth as silk ride. The halfpipe shape has finally reached where it should be. Initially pipes were built around skateboard halfpipe dimensions and not for the size of a snowboard, but with the new bigger size, it fits a snowboard like a glove. The shape will allow riders to continue the explosive progression of snowboarding. It’s time to step up or fall behind.”
Pat Malendoski, Planet Snow Design Owner/Operator

Call or email Planet for more information on this brand new product from Zaugg. Phone 541-317-4164 and email info@planetsnowdesign.com

March 13, 2005
World Superpipe Championships, Park City Mountain Resort, UT

“After building pipes at Park City for the past 8 years (World Cups, Grand Prixs, Olympics) I think this year’s pipe was one of the best. It was cut with the superdragon (the same one we used for the Olympics) and sunny skies and 55 degree temperatures made for some sick riding.”
Pat Malendoski

This contest is in it’s third year and is fast becoming a favorite of many pro riders. Riders are included on an invite-only basis and it’s over and done with in one day. The 16 men and 13 women were judged on best of 3 runs. Keir Dillon pulled in an 88.7 score on his first run with huge back to back 7s and back to back 9s, that topped it for the day. Nice one Keir!

Here’s the final results:
Men's Results
1. Keir Dillon—$15,000 2. Tommy Czeschin—$8,000 3. Mason Aguirre—$4,000 4. Andy Finch—$2,000 5. Ross Powers—$1,000 6. J.J. Thomas 7. Ricky Bower 8. Justin Lamoureux 9. Xaver Hoffmann 10. Andrew Burton 11. Michael Goldschmidt 12. Elijah Teter 13. Rob Kingwill 14. Therry Brunner 15. Danny Davis 16. Abe Teter

Women's Results
1. Hannah Teter—$15,000 2. Gretchen Bleiler—$8,000 3. Elena Hight—$4,000 4. Torah Bright—$2,000 5. Junko Asazuma—$1,000 6. Lindsey Jacobellis 7. Tricia Byrnes 8. Andrea Shuler 9. Mercedes Nicoll 10. Joanie Anderson 11. Jamie MacLeod 12. Clair Bidez 13. Tiffany Marshall

March 3-6, 2005
Winter Gravity Games, Copper Mountain, CO

“The slopestyle course emphasized jumps with the continuation of the 4-pack seen earlier in the year at The Session (also built by Planet) which allowed Shaun White to throw all four 9s for the firs time in competition. We want to constantly build courses that enable the best riders to progress…in our eyes that’s what competition is all about.”
Pat Malendoski

After a four year hiatus the Winter Gravity Games were back bigger and better than ever. Now owned by Outdoor Life Network (OLN) the games include ski & snowboard superpipe, ski & snowboard slopestyle, ski & snowboard cross as well as a night downtown Frisco rail jam.

Check out the official website of the Winter Gravity Games for more info.

Also take a look at www.transworldsnowboarding.com, they always have something to say!

Winter Gravity Games will air on OLN March 27th, 9:30 pm–11:30 pm(EST) - March 28-30th, 9:00 pm–11:00 pm(EST).

March 20, 2005
Burton US Open, Stratton Mountain, VT

“This was Planet’s 7th year of building the halfpipe for the US Open. Pipe was consistent from prequalifiers thru to the finals. I saw probably some of the strongest riding I’ve seen all year. It was good to see a fresh face in the women’s final, Meg Pugh qualified from the prequalifiers and made it all the way into the finals. That’s the cool thing about the US Open, anyone can show up and potentially make it.”
Pat Malendoski

Check out the official US Open website for all the news and results.

Also look at Transworld, there’s some cool video of the men’s and women’s halfpipe finals. You’ll find them right at the end of the article.