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March, 2025

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What info do you guys have on running/managing a Terrain Park?

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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494

I have a 10 minute oral presentation, essay, and power point on all aspects of a Terrain Park Manager  Job, also any colleges/ training that would be helpful to get the job. Any info would be great. I have been looking online also I just wanted some NS input too so i can have this as one of my sources for my works cited. And if your into the karma thing ill give ++karma for helpful info.

Thanks

16 years ago
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1406 - Karma: 1,580
i would assume risk management would be huge.
16 years ago
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
pm AFEATHERSTONE its what he does and he went to school for it. I'm not sure if he'll be on in time but he would probably be pretty helpful.
16 years ago
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
Because it's fresh in my find from other recent threads, I would look up the Snoqualmie lawsuit.  I don't know if Nexis/Lexis is still around, but if it is, I would search Lexis.  Look at the case and look at how ski areas responded to that ruling.  That case had a huge impact on how terrain parks are built.  It will give you loads of info.  You can PM me too.
16 years ago
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494

Thanks alot guys and yeah risk management has to be a major asset of that job, I didn't think of that. ++karma

If anyone eles has anymore info please be sure to add.

16 years ago
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HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
Im not a mangager of a Terrain Park but I just graduated yesterday with a degree in ski resort managment and i have worked in parks for the last 2 years and plan to work in nz this summer in a terrain park. As people said, Risk Managment is huge. We do daily logs about, visual and phsicaly testing (hitting features) before opening after we close and periodically throughout the day. Also signs are vital. Rider education is also important. We do this with Terrain Park tours, smart syle, and though park rangers talking to kids. We also use progression with the hardest feature in one park being the same difficulty as the the easiest feature in the next park. Consistency is also key. And if you advertize anything anywhere or in any manual you better make sure its true. If you claim perfectly raked lips then you better have them. Putting things like that on ads is not a good idea. Let me know if you have any specific questions. 
16 years ago
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903

Another guy who knows his stuff and I have a lot of respect for is lone_wolf.

I haven't spoken to him in awhile and I know he was moving down to Denver.  He worked for Brecks park crew and he was a big reason why it was consider number 1 or 2 in Colorado depending on who you talk to.

16 years ago
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57
lyndon or siera nevada?
16 years ago
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selkirks
Posts: 1979 - Karma: 62
NIC (North Idaho College) used to have a class on Terrain Park management that Schweitzer's staff partially taught on-mountain. I don't know whether they still do, but there were a couple informative articles on it a few years ago. You could try ProQuest-ing it.
16 years ago
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494
^Yeah I have read about Lone_wolf talking about that job he always seemed really dedicated and like he truley cared about that park. Again thanks for all the info guys. And if anyone has any colleges that has some programs with ski park management or anything like that feel free to add.
16 years ago
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494
yeah I read about that earlier today seems like that would be an amazing course to get into if thats what your looking for. Anyone know if they do still have that course running?
16 years ago
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HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
Lyndon State in northern vermont
16 years ago
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 920
There are 286 threads in the Park Designers Cult.  There has to be all the info you could ever want or need for your essay in there. It is an open cult.

https://newschoolers.com/web/content/viewcult/action/view/id/1317/


16 years ago
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selkirks
Posts: 1979 - Karma: 62
Got me wondering, so I looked it up. Still offered, copied/pasted from site:

Terrain Park Management:

This course teaches students the proper techniques for building and maintaining terrain park features including documentation and decision-making processes critical to terrain park management. Students will be involved in building and maintaining terrain park features as well as guest services and event planning through hands-on training.

http://www.nic.edu/courseDescriptions/Default.aspx?kw=&dis=Resort/Recreation%20Management
16 years ago
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903

I can't tell you how stoked I am that they are actually teaching courses in building and managing terrain parks.  That's just plain awesome.  ... and a degree in ski resort managment, where the hell was that when I was in College?

16 years ago
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HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
not sure how old you are but the Lyndon program has been around for a long time. It was the first one. Its been around for at least 20 years. Terrain Park managment seems like the next thing. We didnt have anything specific to Parks offered except a sketchup class for drawing features. That was new last year so I think they will be added as the demand keeps growing.
16 years ago
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Z_rob
Posts: 3076 - Karma: 152
damn if i can get into a college that has that id be very interested in getting a degree in something along those lines
16 years ago
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494
What up guys just presented today it was an easy prokect and i have a goal to reach for my career now. I researched Gogebic Community College for a terrain park management program it looks like a dope program with and easy admission and sick little ski hill to learn on. I was very suprised to see alot of collges offer programs like this i'm really excited to graduate in 2 years and persue my dream being involved in the indusrty and makeking hopefully some sick terrain parks. Thanks to anyone who helped me i just taught about 28 people that there is such a thing as freeskiing and what it takes to run a park. Thanks alot guys for all the help.
16 years ago
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 904
good to hear
sounds like you have a plan.
don't give up haha.
16 years ago
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494
Yeah won't let that happen. Actually last saturday i was partying with this kid thats actually the manager of the park at my local mountain and he said I was already hired to be a digger so im pumped for that
16 years ago
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