Park and Pipe

Michigan's ski runs can't match the 3,000 foot drops of the mountainous states, but when a third of the business can come from snowboarders, what matters is manufactured terrain.

The biggest change to ski resorts in the past 10-15 years is the addition of terrain parks, including jumps, rails, half pipes and more.

The $30K to $100K investment is hefty, but Michigan's resorts aim to provide world class opportunities to ride the boards. Managers say "it's what their customers want — snowboarders are no longer a fringe clientele."

Nubs Nob, Boyne Mountain, Shanty Creek, Caberfae, and Otsego Club and Resort, and perhaps others offer terrain park features.

Many of these were designed and built by Boardsport Terrain Design, of White Lake Township, and owned by Brian Snabes.

First the resorts went for thrill rides, but now their thoughts have turned to progression parks- where people of all skill levels can have fun.

from Crain's Detroit Business, "Midwest 'vertically challenged,' still thrilling", by Amy Whitesall, Jan 7, 2008
See Michigan Ski & Snowboard Blog
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