Guide to the Perisher Terrain Parks
Perisher, located in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, is one of the Southern Hemisphere's premier ski and snowboard resorts. Among its many attractions, the Perisher Terrain Parks stand out as a haven for freestyle skiers and snowboarders seeking an exhilarating experience. With a variety of features catering to different skill levels, these parks offer an exciting playground for riders of all abilities. Here's a comprehensive guide to the Perisher Terrain Parks:
Perisher Front Valley Terrain Park
The Perisher Terrain Parks are designed to provide a diverse range of freestyle features, including jumps, rails, boxes, and other obstacles. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn or an experienced rider wanting to progress your skills, the parks at Perisher have something for everyone.
In total, Perisher has seven terrain parks and boarder cross areas spread across the four mountains that combine to make Perisher ski resort. Let’s take a closer look at each of the different Perisher Terrain Parks.
PIPER TERRAIN PARK - SMALL
The Piper Terrain Park is an entry-level park perfect for freestyle beginners and first-timers. The Piper Terrain Park is made up of a combination of small features including rollers, dancefloors and ride-on boxes and rail features. The Piper Terrain Park is the perfect place to either grow your confidence in the park or try new tricks on smaller features.
YABBY FLAT MINI TERRAIN PARK - SMALL
Another fantastic terrain park for beginners is the Yabby Flat Mini Terrain Park next to the Perisher Quad Express Chair. This terrain park is popular as it is home to the Perisher Jump Cam which takes photos of riders showing of their air-time grabs. The Jump Cam is just one of a number of features in the Yabby Flat Mini Terrain Park which includes boxes and rails.
LEICHHARDT TERRAIN PARK - MEDIUM TO LARGE
This park is situated in the Leichhardt area it's a great place for intermediates to develop their freestyle skills before progressing to more advanced setups. Over recent years the Leichhardt Terrain Park has got bigger ensuring longer runs, with more lanes of freestyle features. Perisher brand the Leichhardt Terrain Park as an intermediate/advanced terrain park with both jumps and rails much bigger than those found in Piper and Yabby Flat. In the Leichhardt Terrain Park you will find jumps of up to 30ft.
BLUE COW TERRAIN PARK - MEDIUM TO LARGE
Located at Blue Cow, this park offers a mix of intermediate and advanced features. It's ideal for riders looking to challenge themselves with larger jumps and more technical rail setups. The Blue Cow Terrain Park is a progression from the Leichhardt Terrain Park. Blue Cow has a number of varied features including; hips, boxes, jumps and rails. Blue Cow Terrain Park draws less crowds than the other parks as it is away from the main resort runs.
FRONT VALLEY SLOPESTYLE TERRAIN PARK
This is the primary park area, easily accessible from the Front Valley ski lifts. It features a variety of jumps and rails, suitable for all skill levels. The features are arranged in a progressive manner, allowing riders to build their confidence and skills.
Front Valley Slopestyle Park is world-class and attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the globe, with many professionals using it as their summer training base. Front Valley Terrain Park has a good mix of features and can be lapped either by the parallel T-Bars of the 8-Person Express Chairlift.
Front Valley Terrain Park is where you want to be if you are intending to hit the largest features in the resort.
CENTRE VALLEY RIDER-CROSS - MEDIUM
Perfect for after you have dialled in the Yabby Flats beginner course, the Centre Valley Boarder Cross track and a longer track with more bank turns and rollers. The Centre Valley Rider Cross is a great place to build your confidence riding variable terrain.
SUN VALLEY RIDER CROSS - LARGE
If mastering the boarder cross track is your main aim then the Sun Valley track is the one for you. Sun Valley has the longest rider cross area at Perisher ski resort combining some of the most interesting features. Head to the Sun Valley rider cross to take on steep banked turns, rollers and jumps.
FEATURES
Perisher Terrain Parks offer a wide range of features, including:
Jumps: From small tabletop jumps for beginners to large kickers for advanced riders, Perisher has a variety of jumps to suit different skill levels. Jump lines are often labelled according to their size, making it easy for riders to choose based on their comfort level.
Rails and Boxes: The parks feature an array of rails and boxes of various shapes and sizes. These are perfect for practising tricks, spins, and slides. Beginners can start with simple flat boxes, while more experienced riders can take on more challenging features like kinked rails and rainbow boxes.
Progression Parks: Perisher has designed certain areas specifically for progression. These parks provide a controlled environment for riders to learn and refine their freestyle skills on smaller features before moving on to larger setups.
SAFETY
Safety is paramount in any terrain park. Here are some safety tips:
Always wear appropriate protective gear, including helmets.
Start with features that match your skill level and gradually progress to more advanced ones.
Observe other riders before attempting a feature to understand the proper approach and technique.
Respect the park rules and guidelines. They are in place to ensure the safety of all park users.
LESSONS AND COACHING
Perisher offers lessons and coaching sessions for riders looking to improve their freestyle skills. Professional instructors can provide valuable guidance, helping you learn new tricks and refine your technique in a safe and controlled environment.
EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS
Throughout the snow season, Perisher hosts various freestyle events and competitions in its terrain parks. These events provide an opportunity for riders to showcase their skills, learn from others, and enjoy a sense of camaraderie within the freestyle community.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Perisher Terrain Parks offer an exciting and dynamic freestyle experience for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. With well-designed features, dedicated progression areas, and a commitment to safety, these parks provide a platform for riders to push their limits, learn new tricks, and enjoy the thrill of freestyle snow sports. Remember to always prioritize safety, respect park rules, and have fun exploring the diverse features the parks have to offer.
