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Is Halfpipe Dead?

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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,059
With more resorts plowing down their half pipes, and Dew Tour excluding it from their event, is Halfpipe dying? It's finally in the Olympics, but I'm not sure it's enough to save the sport. How many of you even ride pipe?
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Dec 1 2016 12:46PM
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Dirtyslobz
Posts: 67 - Karma: 42
Waste of space on the east coast, takes forever to get it build and by the time it's build the season is over. Only a handful of people can actually get out of the pipe. Something fun for the jerrys to do
Dec 1 2016 1:03PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,059
DirtyslobzWaste of space on the east coast, takes forever to get it build and by the time it's build the season is over. Only a handful of people can actually get out of the pipe. Something fun for the jerrys to do


At what point in the season is it usually built up?
Dec 1 2016 1:17PM
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ljackstar
Posts: 114 - Karma: 233
I've never actually been to a Mountain that had a pipe, even though I'd really like to ride one. Most of the big mountains would rather add an XL line and the small mountains and hills don't want to deal with the liability. And I don't live in the ice coast either, the closest one to Edmonton is Calgary Olympic Park and I don't know another one after that until whistler.
Dec 1 2016 1:29PM
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big_tent
Posts: 174 - Karma: 320
I enjoy riding half pipe, but its usually not open till mid to late january in minnesota. And its always icy as hell, as to be expected in the mid west
Dec 1 2016 1:34PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,059
Just to throw my perspective in here:

i'be lived in Tahoe for ten years, and now live in MT. I am a pipe skier, I suck at rail. Northstar typically has a pipe, and similar features to one. One year there was two! Now living in Montana, I don't have access to one. Big Sky flattened their pipe after not cutting it for years. It feels the hype died in 2011.
Dec 1 2016 1:38PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,059
The referenced post has been removed.


Yes!! Superpipes are insane. There are very few people who can successfully ski them- you absolutely need an introductory 12/16 foot pipe.
Dec 1 2016 1:39PM
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snowfinder
Posts: 2836 - Karma: 34,004
I blame the death of halfpipe on Shawn white. I love pipe though nothing better than a slushy spring pipe.
Dec 1 2016 1:39PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 8,748
buzzedI blame the death of halfpipe on Shawn white. I love pipe though nothing better than a slushy spring pipe.


Slushy spring pipe is the only time I'm not scared to actually send it in a pipe, it's normally just so icy that it's not even that fun.
Dec 1 2016 1:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 61489 - Karma: 122,111
I wouldn't say its dead, its just going the route of aerials. Superpipe contests will always be around, the field of skiers will just get smaller and more experienced, it will probably be fun to watch but the days of a random kid learning how to ski pipe and becoming a high level pipe skier is gone.
Dec 1 2016 1:45PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6879 - Karma: 24,468
Pipes are a blast. I'd rather see more mini-pipes or quarter pipes etc. I don't know about it as a competitive sport, seems like a competition pipe is probably hard to maintain/ build for very limited use. Recreational users don't need things to be so perfect or big to have fun. People don't need to get air to have fun in the pipe so it's fun for all.
Dec 1 2016 1:49PM
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TrickyDick470
Posts: 443 - Karma: 2,350
I never really go seek out a half pipe if it prevents me from hitting rails or jumps that I'm better at. But at Copper you can hit the mini pipe on the way to the rest of the park so I'll do the most basic stuff in that just because it is so easily accessible.

Like other people have said, I'll only occasionally ride the super pipe if it is not ridiculously icy.
Dec 1 2016 2:37PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9255 - Karma: 60,528
The referenced post has been removed.


OregonDeadPipes are a blast. I'd rather see more mini-pipes or quarter pipes etc. I don't know about it as a competitive sport, seems like a competition pipe is probably hard to maintain/ build for very limited use. Recreational users don't need things to be so perfect or big to have fun. People don't need to get air to have fun in the pipe so it's fun for all.


exactly, i know mtns wanna boast about their SUPERDUPERpipe (although even that has died down) but the clear answer is to make smaller ones. less money, less snow, less scary as fuck, blah blah blah

i actually miss the days of crummy mini pipes, those things were so fun
Dec 1 2016 2:41PM
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scratchskier321
Posts: 2571 - Karma: 1,340
eheathI wouldn't say its dead, its just going the route of aerials. Superpipe contests will always be around, the field of skiers will just get smaller and more experienced, it will probably be fun to watch but the days of a random kid learning how to ski pipe and becoming a high level pipe skier is gone.

who would qualify as a random kid who learned to ski pipe and became high level?
Dec 1 2016 2:45PM
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eheath
Posts: 61489 - Karma: 122,111
scratchskier321who would qualify as a random kid who learned to ski pipe and became high level?


Tanner Hall, Simon Dumont, Peter Olenik, the list goes on, basically anyone who came up skiing pipe back in the day was just a random skier that started skiing super pipes, they were everywhere back in the day.
Dec 1 2016 2:51PM
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SKRockies
Posts: 606 - Karma: 1,689
My main Hill Calgary Olympic Park has 2, a mini one thats probably 10-12 ftt and an olympic size, the olympic size will maybe see about 30 runs in an entire saturday, people just dont find it as fun as sending jumps. Or at least i dont, sure its fun to do once in a while but its a lot more awkward and progression is pretty limited for beginners
Dec 1 2016 2:54PM
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eheath
Posts: 61489 - Karma: 122,111
eheathTanner Hall, Simon Dumont, Peter Olenik, the list goes on, basically anyone who came up skiing pipe back in the day was just a random skier that started skiing super pipes, they were everywhere back in the day.


I also meant to add, now to be a pipe skier you have to be on the US team, train all the fucking time and you literally do nothing but ski pipe. The sport has just changed.
Dec 1 2016 2:54PM
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willyg0808
Posts: 4231 - Karma: 1,364
Can someone post that edit where the pipe skier is riding to like hard rock and it's black and white and super hip? That shit was cool and a new direction of pipe that I could see development.
Dec 1 2016 3:09PM
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jakeordie
Posts: 664 - Karma: 3,275
Just build a huge vert 1/4 at the bottom of a jump line like skateboarding did for Big Air and make dudes bring pipe tricks into slopestyle runs. The resorts wouldn't need as much resources to build it, and even elite pipe skiers wouldn't need a GS setup to hit it.
Dec 1 2016 3:16PM
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Park_Ranger
Posts: 3825 - Karma: 8,635
willyg0808Can someone post that edit where the pipe skier is riding to like hard rock and it's black and white and super hip? That shit was cool and a new direction of pipe that I could see development.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/791844/Joffrey-Pollet-Villard---Saas-Fee-2015

JPV is a boss widdit

**This post was edited on Dec 1st 2016 at 3:31:54pm
Dec 1 2016 3:20PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
My home resort has a big pipe (not sure if it's the size of a superpipe though) and a smaller pipe that they built for the end of the season. Then on the very last week they just open the two pipes and mix them up and create this kind of pipe-park. It looks pretty fun. Kinda like what Danny Davis is doing with Peace Park (boo, snowboard, bad).
Dec 1 2016 3:31PM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
Pipe isn't dead, but it's dying for sure.

I work at Woodward at copper and our pipe is a zoo when it first opens, so many people training. And then no one at all after other places have a pipe.

Every mountain should have a mini pipe because they are the bees knees, but there is no need for a super pipe at most mountains.

Also dew cancelled pipe because of lack of snow, not because they didn't want to have it.
Dec 1 2016 3:35PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
Huge waste of money and resources
Dec 1 2016 3:40PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,059
Park_Rangerhttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/791844/Joffrey-Pollet-Villard---Saas-Fee-2015

JPV is a boss widdit

**This post was edited on Dec 1st 2016 at 3:31:54pm

JPV is insane.
Dec 1 2016 3:47PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9255 - Karma: 60,528
jakeordieJust build a huge vert 1/4 at the bottom of a jump line like skateboarding did for Big Air and make dudes bring pipe tricks into slopestyle runs. The resorts wouldn't need as much resources to build it, and even elite pipe skiers wouldn't need a GS setup to hit it.


yeah that's a great idea. QPs (or just cutting one into the side of a big jump) are awesome and that's a great way to incorporate them into something

plus like you said you no longer need different skis for it. i havent had sharp edges on my skis since 'Nam
Dec 1 2016 4:10PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37322 - Karma: 118,974
not dead but certainly not the most popular route that most kids take when competing.

loved skiing it when I did shitty USSA events and Rev tours, though. spent a month in copper when I was like 15 hiking the pipe there with a team I was on which was a blast. was shitty at it but its difficult to learn but once you figure out how to old that edge/pump the transitions as you go from wall to wall was a blast. Loved boosting massive straight-airs on the rightside wall.


tbh I prefer skiing jump lines and soft superpipes in the spring over rails.
Dec 1 2016 4:13PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37322 - Karma: 118,974
eheathI also meant to add, now to be a pipe skier you have to be on the US team, train all the fucking time and you literally do nothing but ski pipe. The sport has just changed.


local freeride teams ive noticed are focusing waay more on slopestyle/big mtn/moguls/etc. over pipe I think as well.. Axis freeride (now TPCU) used to have an absolutely killer pipe team with amazing coaches when I skied with them and now they have maybe 1-2 coaches that specialize in it. Youre totally right about kids coming up and strictly skiing pipe, slopestyle athletes are way more common.
Dec 1 2016 4:16PM
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Park_Ranger
Posts: 3825 - Karma: 8,635
jakeordieJust build a huge vert 1/4 at the bottom of a jump line like skateboarding did for Big Air and make dudes bring pipe tricks into slopestyle runs. The resorts wouldn't need as much resources to build it, and even elite pipe skiers wouldn't need a GS setup to hit it.


that is a killer idea. I say just straight up copy skateboarding: do a big air jump with a massive vert after the landing. That would make for such an interesting contest. I am surprised it hasn't been tried before
Dec 1 2016 4:24PM
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.jif
Posts: 441 - Karma: 1,013
My hill at the end of a season made a super rough half pipe with the main shape and told everyone in the city to come with shovels and build cool shit to have fun on, kinda like a DIY half pipe with tons of hips and trannys. It turned out amazing and everyone came to enjoy the last few weeks of the season. If more mountains did something like that in the spring the regular halfpipe could be so much more.
Dec 1 2016 4:37PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9255 - Karma: 60,528
.jifMy hill at the end of a season made a super rough half pipe with the main shape and told everyone in the city to come with shovels and build cool shit to have fun on, kinda like a DIY half pipe with tons of hips and trannys. It turned out amazing and everyone came to enjoy the last few weeks of the season. If more mountains did something like that in the spring the regular halfpipe could be so much more.


dude exactly, i miss the crummy old pipes that were ten feet tall and had all kinds of varying lips and trannies to find
Dec 1 2016 4:42PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13963 - Karma: 48,971
Cruising around a pipe is so fucking fun. I'm shit at it but this summer skiing the Windells pipe and QP was fucking awesome. I can't hit jumps or rails for shit. You can still hit a pipe even if you're shit though, you know? You can go as big or as little as you want and everything. Idk. That's what I like about it.
Dec 1 2016 4:46PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9255 - Karma: 60,528
MinggYou can go as big or as little as you want and everything. Idk. That's what I like about it.


yeah dude same reason i love hips, a novice and a super duper badass ski star can hit the same one and have the same amount of fun
Dec 1 2016 4:54PM
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250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
I know I am in the extreme minority here. I would honestly trade all of Whistler's parks just for Breck's 22 foot pipe. I know I cant complain being in Whistler, but pipes my favourite. They don't build it here until march or april, the 18 foot cutter they use isn't that good either. Pipe is intimidating to learn, but once you figure it out, its one of the greatest feelings on skis.
Dec 1 2016 5:06PM
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.otto.
Posts: 3493 - Karma: 12,893
pipe is dead time for QUARTER PIPE COMEBACK!
Dec 1 2016 5:17PM
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Dirtyslobz
Posts: 67 - Karma: 42
ljackstarI've never actually been to a Mountain that had a pipe, even though I'd really like to ride one. Most of the big mountains would rather add an XL line and the small mountains and hills don't want to deal with the liability. And I don't live in the ice coast either, the closest one to Edmonton is Calgary Olympic Park and I don't know another one after that until whistler.


End of January if we are LUCKY, mid march usually
Dec 1 2016 6:51PM
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Pac2
Posts: 794 - Karma: 2,861
Honestly I think riding pipe is one of the coolest aspects of park skiing, except the pipe to me is scary as fuck, I never know how to approach it and even getting a foot of air makes me shit myself. I rarely practice it though. My park here on the east coast has a pretty nice one though.
Dec 1 2016 8:50PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
jakeordieJust build a huge vert 1/4 at the bottom of a jump line like skateboarding did for Big Air and make dudes bring pipe tricks into slopestyle runs. The resorts wouldn't need as much resources to build it, and even elite pipe skiers wouldn't need a GS setup to hit it.


Quarter pipes take a lot of time and effort to make them good/well maintained. They've always been the least common feature in parks for this reason.
Dec 1 2016 9:13PM
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fries
Posts: 2978 - Karma: 7,518
being that the majority of park skiers ride at small hills with low quality parks, it wouldn't surprise me if pipe were to die off. only certain people have access to a resort with a pipe. i personally suck at pipe
Dec 1 2016 9:30PM
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HAMNATION
Posts: 814 - Karma: 1,720
copper throws up a pipe early.... however I don't ever ride till spring
Dec 1 2016 9:48PM
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NPF
Posts: 5152 - Karma: 12,116
Whistler can barely even get a pipe going... no more WSI either so they dont really have much of a reason to do one.

although this year they have got a good amount of snow early so there will be one soonish im sure
Dec 1 2016 10:18PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,748
I see what you're saying, but just for the record, dew tour didn't just do away with pipe, breck just doesn't have enough snow to push one.

Half pipe has been marginalized in skiing for a decade. I'd even argue pipe is coming back a bit with more interest in a skate style approach to skiing. I can think of a ton of footage lately involving pipe skiing or transition skiing out of the pipe.
Dec 1 2016 11:22PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,059
casualI see what you're saying, but just for the record, dew tour didn't just do away with pipe, breck just doesn't have enough snow to push one.

Half pipe has been marginalized in skiing for a decade. I'd even argue pipe is coming back a bit with more interest in a skate style approach to skiing. I can think of a ton of footage lately involving pipe skiing or transition skiing out of the pipe.


Thanks for pointing out the issue of lack of snow. I should have included it in my OP.
Dec 1 2016 11:47PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
Park_Rangerthat is a killer idea. I say just straight up copy skateboarding: do a big air jump with a massive vert after the landing. That would make for such an interesting contest. I am surprised it hasn't been tried before


I feel like it's been done in snowboarding like 15 years ago, no?
Dec 2 2016 4:30AM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Park_Rangerhttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/791844/Joffrey-Pollet-Villard---Saas-Fee-2015

JPV is a boss widdit

**This post was edited on Dec 1st 2016 at 3:31:54pm


What ever happened to him? I was sure he'd save pipe. Remember his xgames runs when he got so much air on every hit? I was yelling at the TV.

I wish they'd bring back small pipes. Huge pipes are such high consequence features. There's like no way to get any better if you only have a huge superpipe to start in and small pipes are easier to cut. I mean, all this global warming isn't helping either, but still... It'd be nice if my hill even cut a short pipe if they have enough snow.
Dec 2 2016 10:42AM
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weedoo
Posts: 650 - Karma: 1,838
Rode pipe for a day 2 years ago and had a blast but never got a chance since. I think more people would like/respect it more if they had the chance. Looks like the majority of people dont even have one near them :(
Dec 2 2016 10:44AM
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mmccarthy81
Posts: 410 - Karma: 740
Haven't skied one on the east in the past 2 years but last March Vail had one for the Burton US open and it was massive. It was super sick, I wish they could go up in the east easier. So funnn
Dec 2 2016 11:16AM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
i don't mind giving babes half the pipe when i gots the whiskey/coke dick
Dec 2 2016 7:12PM
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Brule.
Posts: 3917 - Karma: 6,204
Closest places to shred a halfpipe were either Killington or Mount Snow.

Gore has a mini pipe in the most oddball location ever, but it's just poorly maintained.
Dec 2 2016 8:41PM
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NPF
Posts: 5152 - Karma: 12,116
casualHalf pipe has been marginalized in skiing for a decade. I'd even argue pipe is coming back a bit with more interest in a skate style approach to skiing. I can think of a ton of footage lately involving pipe skiing or transition skiing out of the pipe.


i have noticed this. ever since education of style when b dog did those wild butters. kind of brought it back to the fact that you dont have to leave the lip or be boosting 15 feet out to have fun in the pipe
Dec 2 2016 11:40PM
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