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Will pipe skiing ever make a comeback?

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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
At one point every mountain was doing everything they could to get their hands on a pipe dragon. Now it seems like they're just a part of ancient history. You see a lot of them sitting in the boneyards of the mountains. Just sitting there rusting in the base area.

Seems like there are a bunch of mountains who have abandoned their pipes and instead have focused all their effort into rails and jumps.

It's understandable considering even at places like mount snow. The pipe will be in perfect condition, yet you rarely see people using it. I understand that machines break down and if they don't see people using them, why invest thousands of $ in fixing them.

Do you think it will ever make a comeback?



Sparknotes:

Everyone used to have a pipe. That was the sign that your mountain was the shit. Now nobody rides pipes, and mountains have abandoned them. Do you think it will make a comeback?
Jan 7 2013 3:51PM
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Good_Deed
Posts: 1260 - Karma: 1,321
I still ride pipe, nothing beats the feeling of a big floaty alley oop.
Jan 7 2013 3:57PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
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Jan 7 2013 3:59PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Pipes are expensive, hard to make/maintain, take up a lot of space, and not that many people know how to ride them. The fact that there isn't as much snow falling in a lot of places anymore sure doesn't help either.
Jan 7 2013 4:09PM
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NowBetterTasting
Posts: 246 - Karma: 116
This article came to mind (although I wish it was more in depth): https://www.newschoolers.com/readnews/5292/The-Case-For-The-12-Foot-Pipe

I certainly miss the smaller pipes, and you'd have to imagine a lot more people would use them over super pipes if resorts started building them again. Of course it all comes down to money/time either way.
Jan 7 2013 4:27PM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
I believe that resorts need to downsize the wall height so more people can learn how to ride pipe and actually throw down more in the pipe. The pipe at sunday river is way to huge for most people to properly ride and the same goes for sugarloaf.
Jan 7 2013 4:34PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
A few resorts in the midwest still pride themselves on having a pipe, but I don't think I've ever seen someone air out of it / use it properly. They are a waste of space when you don't have the caliber of riders/skiers necessary to utilize them.
Jan 7 2013 4:41PM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3822 - Karma: 3,449
Not 7 Springs. For some reason they take making their pipe so seriously, 22 ft walls 550 ft long. But of course it makes complete sense to have this for the last month of the season so all the future shaun white and simon dumonts can train super hard.



/end sarcasm I dont think there will ever be a pro pipe boarder or skier from pennsylvania


Jan 7 2013 4:44PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
I'm spoiled with mammoth as my "home" mountain even though it's a 4-5 hour drive away. They have 22, 18, 13 foot and I think a 6 or 8 foot pipe. They haven't built the 18 yet this season, but its still early.
Jan 7 2013 4:51PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
for sure I remember that. Really true. It's hard to grow in pipe skiing when all you have is a 22 footer looming in front of you.


I miss the old 14 footer everyone used to have. Even then I just don't see many people using them anymore. Not saying I haven't been to mountains and seen them slammed, but they've been ghost towns compared to the parks at so many places.


Park skiing is growing at a ridiculous rate, and pipe skiing is dying out.
Jan 7 2013 5:23PM
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steezywannabeezy
Posts: 990 - Karma: 690
I would love to mess around on the 18 and a little on the 13, but a 6 foot pipe just seems weird. Then again, so do tons of features in the park, like stairs, which hardly resemble real, urban stairs. Not that many urban skiers hit stairs. I don't know, man. /rant
Jan 7 2013 5:24PM
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
Well, there isnt very many pipes on the east coast. Besides Dumont, is there any guys from the east coast
Jan 7 2013 5:33PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

I suck at pipe and they scare the shit out of me but here's my 2 pence anyway...

No, they won't, pipe is dieing. They take loads of time (and snow, depending on the mountain) to build and look after. If they aren't looked after, they get icey/slushy/rounded and horrible to ride. The vast majority of people (myself included) can barely get above the deck anyway.

From a resorts perspective, they are much better off spending the diesel and man-hours either grooming more runs or pushing conventional jumps and rails. Building a badass pipe serves a tiny minority of the mountain while consuming disproportionate amounts of resources.

Jan 7 2013 5:33PM
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Puns
Posts: 2052 - Karma: 429
my badass dull edges and icy pipe walls are not that much fun.

that being said, on a soft day on a small pipe... yum.


Jan 7 2013 5:34PM
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eheath
Posts: 61604 - Karma: 123,113
I dunno where you're from, but every major west coast park always has a 18 or 22 ft pipe now
Jan 7 2013 5:39PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
I thought you were gonna smash your dome. And that shit sucks. Pipes in the spring are awesome.

I like in feb around 10 am when they start to soften up but they aren't slushy. When they slush out the flat bottom get's all rutted and you lose all your speed to the chatter, and the walls start to melt out and get pitted.

I usually take 2 runs through the one at mount snow every time I go. I can't really boost anymore but I can get some height on the frontside still. Backside airs in 18+ foot pipes scare me now that I don't ride them. I always feel like I'm gonna clip the deck on the way back in and fall to my death.
Jan 7 2013 5:40PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
I think Mount Snow should just get rid of their large pipe, because no one on the East Coast including me knows how to ski it, and put in like in 8 to 10 footer. Just my 02€
Jan 7 2013 5:42PM
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K-Thomas
Posts: 2700 - Karma: 604
i think that's exactly part of the reason why there aren't pipes at smaller mountains/east coast mountains. anyone who's serious about skiing pipe competitively is already at one of the major players in pipe (PC, Copper, ETC). I've seen 4 resorts in PA can their pipes in the past 5-8 years. Like many have said, it takes a lot of snow which we simply don't have. This leaves a huge void for people to get into it and I think the days of an east coast pipe star (dumont and duncan adams are the last of this breed) are over.
Jan 7 2013 5:49PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
Yeah great idea. You should probably pitch that idea to them and see if they'll give you a job.


It's not like they use that pipe for major professional contests or anything.
Jan 7 2013 5:56PM
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Inline.
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 432
I remember when it was Dumont vs. Tanner for a few years, and when X Games rolled around, I wouldn't place my priority on tuning in to Slopestyle or Big Air. Hell, I had no idea big air even existed. But you would find me glued to the tv when pipe came on. I think the fact that it was at night under the lights, encompassing a big rivalry, and highly anticipated contributed to pipe being the most respected discipline at the time.
Jan 7 2013 6:07PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
They really don't anymore on the East Coast they might have like two major pipe competitions a year
Jan 7 2013 6:27PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
blackomb always makes a great pipe but they scare the shit out of me so I don't ride it much
Jan 7 2013 6:44PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
They still have them though. Freeski open, dewtour and other big name stuff. Just because there aren't a ton of events doesn't mean it's not nice to be able to host some of the biggest ones.
Jan 7 2013 6:52PM
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250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
haha i dont know about that, never seems to be all that good until wsi rolls around. took a run through it the other day, was still pretty sketch at that point.
Jan 7 2013 7:22PM
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Mayrandpodcast
Posts: 777 - Karma: 13,549
nowadays there is only 1 pipe in Quebec... while there used to be one at every decent resort a couple years ago

i think its the same with all the east coast
Jan 7 2013 7:25PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
it did just get built recently, but yeah I agree with you
Jan 7 2013 8:05PM
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Royal-bamboo
Posts: 294 - Karma: 105
good thread and ya i think its like skateboarding you are seeing more abandoned bowels and more street urban setups but ya pipe is dying
Jan 7 2013 9:20PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Yeah they always have the pipe up a week or 2 before the jumpline in the spot.. I still dont understand this.
Jan 7 2013 9:30PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
12 foot mini pipes are definitely making a comeback, because PC has one.
Jan 7 2013 9:48PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
But for the most part pipes seem to be dying out. The only places making the mini pipes are places that also have full size pipes and stocked parks.



Not that it's not awesome that they're offering a variety, but the smaller mountains aren't building them anymore. It seems like there's less than a 3rd the mountains with pipes these days.


I mean I understand why. It's just kind of a bummer.
Jan 7 2013 10:00PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
The dew tour isn't even coming to the East Coast this year you named one
Jan 7 2013 10:03PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
I didn't say it was. They've hosted the thing twice. They'll still have events in the ditch there. No need to try be a douche and get all call out mode.


Jan 7 2013 10:14PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
I miss pipe. :( Western Canada really only has two pipes (COP and Blackcomb). I think sunshine has one maybe?

Pretty much spent most of my high school days slaying pipe for hours each day.
Jan 7 2013 10:16PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
cypress had one for a couple years prior to the olympics but after they sold their pipe cutter
Jan 7 2013 10:31PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Well if you didn't be such a sarcastic dick in your first post I wouldn't have to call you out. Pipe skiing on the East Coast is dying out you need to accept that. I'd much rather Mount Snow take out their pipe and spend their time and resources on other things with their park. God for bid you don't have to competitions a year on the East Coast
Jan 7 2013 11:06PM
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PapDaddy
Posts: 532 - Karma: 661
some of the kids at the academy are trying to convince the whiteface park crew to make a mini-pipe... not sure how successful their efforts are but it would be super fun to be able to ride one on the regular
Jan 7 2013 11:06PM
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yung-lean
Posts: 511 - Karma: 2,447
same herre
Jan 7 2013 11:11PM
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Bittner
Posts: 3675 - Karma: 1,573
Actually your pretty dumb, I've Rode mt snow over 200 days in the last two years and the pipe was popular without a doubt on the days it was nice. obviously if it sucks it sucks, and last year that was quite often for the pipe. But i know people who ride it all the time and get plenty of use.
Oh and also the pipe holds at least 5 comps a season, between Ussa, Ussa rev tour, Carinthia Open, Usasa, and USASA Championships, it has a lot of appeal that way..
Also think having one of the only pipes in southern vt northen MA and southern NH, besides blowkemo helps attract people?? Also Okemo didn't even build it last year to full size anyway. So if you want to ride a gay little pipe 8-10ft go there, even though Mt. Snow has a mini-pipe most years as well...
Jan 7 2013 11:21PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,573
I kind of was but whatever. They get use out of it.

And from your post you make it sound like they don't put any effort into their parks.

" I'd much rather Mount Snow take out their pipe and spend their time and resources on other things with their park. "


Like they don't spend a stupid amount of money on snowmaking and have parks going from october to may or anything. They don't do massive rail builds to get new shit every year.

If they got rid of the pipe maybe they'd actually be able to build a decent park. Oh wait, they have like 4 of those.
Jan 7 2013 11:35PM
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T.L.
Posts: 4729 - Karma: 3,008
In the mid atlantic?  Nope.
Jan 7 2013 11:43PM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,353
My resort has 3 pipes....

a mini, an 18 and SHAUN WHITES 22 FOOT PRITVATE HALF PIPE WITH FoAM PIT!!?!?!!!!
Jan 7 2013 11:58PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
I honestly can't ride a 12 foot pipe properly, the wall never gets vertical and you can't really get any air. It's like a handjob, I get halfway there and then....it's just over and I don't know what to do next.
Jan 8 2013 12:02AM
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Fluttershy
Posts: 586 - Karma: 763
we used to have a pipe at my mountain, but they closed it a few years ago because "we dont get enough snow". they got rid of it to save money which sucks, doubt itll ever come back
Jan 8 2013 12:06AM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,353
1. hit pipe
2. at end of pipe flop your schlong out of your saga
3. jerk it
4.???~~~~~
5. profit
Jan 8 2013 12:08AM
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NowBetterTasting
Posts: 246 - Karma: 116
That'll surely bring more people back to pipe skiing.
Although I'm not sure if it's the people we want.
Jan 8 2013 12:11AM
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Tremblantskier
Posts: 945 - Karma: 5,423
Its just not financially viable anymore, in Quebec it can cost over $100,000 to build and the upkeep is huge. Tremblant's was cutting into profit and the unionized park guys were over working on it so they sold the dragon. I think its rusting away at Edlewiess now.
Jan 8 2013 12:15AM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
it's really for ski school to practice turns there really isn't a lip on it
Jan 8 2013 12:25AM
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RyCo19
Posts: 365 - Karma: 503
Even though I disagree (although it really depends on how the mini pipe is shaped/etc), this was funny enough to almost make me agree with your point
Jan 8 2013 12:50AM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
gapers want stunt ditches! no one likes those park hooligans
Jan 8 2013 1:03AM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
Very interesting read. Pipe on the EC is most definitely fading into the background, and honestly i don't think i will miss it.

Lots of respect for guys throwing down hard in pipe and learning the discipline. I just never developed an interest in it, and I get bored watching it quickly.




Jan 8 2013 1:10AM
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kungfusteeze
Posts: 700 - Karma: 47
There has always been a park at Bear, but I have never been into it. Too sketchy for me.
Jan 8 2013 1:52AM
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