The 6 ski resorts with best snow parks according to our pro skiers and snowboarders
Snow parks, also known as terrain parks or fun parks, are actually an American invention which first came to Europe at Avoriaz, France. These parks were first based on skate parks but have since established their own identity. Features like kickers, jibs, halfpipes and rails give snowboarders and skiers alike the chance to get air and pull grabs. Weāve asked the Protest team riders Andri Ragettli, Camille Armand, Veroniqi and Isabelle Hanssen which were their best and favourite snow parks. We have some overlap so we have a winner. Read on to see where you should be working on your tricks this winter.
Discover the best snow parks now!
LAAX
STUBAI ZOO
AVORIAZ
WHISTLER and BLACKCOMB
BRECKENRIDGE
CARDRONA
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LAAX
A special favourite of the freestylers, this is also Protest skier, Andri Ragettliās number 1. He says āMy home-resort Laax in Switzerland has the best Park in my opinion. I always love to ski at homeā. Protest halfpipe skier Isabelle Hanssen says āIn Europe Iād say Laax is one of the best ones, they have a small park, medium park and a pro-line. They also have the best superpipe in Europeā. LAAX does indeed have the longest continuous halfpipe in the world, an Olympic-size kicker pro-line and a total of over 90 obstacles, all spread across four snow parks. For the first-timer as well as the pro, this snow park with get your freestyle heart racing.
More info:Ā live.laax.com
STUBAI ZOO
In the middle of Austria’s largest ski resort, the Stubai Glacier in Tyrol, the snowpark Stubai Zoo has its home. Although he wouldnāt necessaritly call himself a freestyler, this is Protest rider, Camille Armandās favourite snow park. At 3100 meters, this park is open for business as early as October. Thanks to its south-facing location and the massive exposure to sunshine that goes with it, soft landings are guaranteed from dawn till dusk. The Stubai Zoo is also the location for the FIS Freesi World Cup which will be held on the 23rd November 2019. Donāt miss the chance to see how the experts take on those obstacles.
More info:Ā stubaier-gletscher.com
AVORIAZ
Seen by many as the snowboard capital of the world, it was the first European resort to build a snow park back in 1993. It was also the first resort to introduce a snowboarder-only area. Avoriaz is part of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area with 30 snow parks in this area alone. Avoriaz has 7 of itās own snow parks, including the Burton Stash. This one-of-a-kind terrain park is created with trees, natural terriain and extra features that are made out of wood. Thereās also a superslide and the Burton Kids Parkway, a perfect place for the kids and absolute beginners.
More info:Ā snowparkavoriaz.com
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And now, further afield:
WHISTLER and BLACKCOMB
These are two linked mountains in Canada that together make up the largest ski area in all of North America. A personal favourite of Protest rider Veroniqi Hanssen, this is a world-class location with a total of 5 snow parks covering a huge area. There is a halfpipe with 5.5m walls, a snow cross course and more than 150 features. Parks are rated S, M, L and XL according to their difficulty. Thereās just as much action going on around this ski area from snow tubing and dog sledding.
More info: whistlerblackcomb.com
BRECKENRIDGE
This much-loved series of snow parks is found at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. This is a favourite of Protest rider, Isabelle Hanssen. Breckenridge boasts four snow parks and two pipes. The parks can de divided up according to difficuly so thereās something for everyone. Freestylers should be completely at home here with a variety of natural and man made features.
More info: breckenridge.com
CARDRONA
This is where Protest rider Isabelle Hanssen heads off to in the summer. This awesome snow park is the only park on our list that is in the Southern Hemisphere. This means that when Europeās snow has all melted away, thereās still a place you can go. Cardrona is in New Zealand and has extensive park & pipe facilities with options for all levels of park riders, thereās even an Olympic Halfpipe. The FIS Snowboard World Cup has already taken place here in August 2019.
More info: cardrona.com
FRAME jacket
So thereās our list of Protest team ridersā favourite and best snow parks. There are many more amazing snow parks out there from Vars to Zermatt, so have a look around. Whether youāre just a beginner or a pro, youāll be needing clothing that keeps you warm, dry and ready for action. For that, weāve got your covered. Check out our menās trousers and jackets, check out womenās trousers and jackets and click on these links for boys and girls snowwear. Itās time to chase the powder.