Keystone / Breckenridge Colorado Snowboarding

Some come to Keystone or Breckenridge resorts in Colorado just to enjoy their extreme terrain parks. These world famous parks and pipes host events throughout the winter season. Breckenridge and Keystone have a variety of terrain parks, from small jumps and rails for those just learning to huge pipes and gaps, where only the pros venture to enter. Whether you want to rip it up or just stand in awe and watch the local riders, come to the terrain parks at Breckenridge and Keystone, where all the action is.

Breckenridge ski area is home to the Freeway Terrain Park on Peak 8. It is one of the most popular parks in the country. It is also typically the first park and pipe to open in the winter as snowmaking starts early. Make sure to check out the Breckenridge Freeride Team, who call this park home in the winter as they practice for many events and competitions throughout the season. Trygve's Terrain Park and Pipe is also located on Peak 8, but is great for those just getting used to playing in the park. There are small jumps, a half pipe, and small rails. Other terrain parks at the resort include Gold King, Country Boy, and El Dorado. Gold King has many medium sized jumps for riders who want to improve their skills. Country Boy half pipe runs the entire length of the trail, offering more than enough space to practice and learn new skills. A relatively new terrain park at Breckenridge is called El Dorado. It is considered the learning area for the resorts larger parks and pipes. The ski and ride school uses some of the smaller features at this park like snow level boxes and rails.

Keystone ski resort is home to the largest night park in Colorado, called A51. It is busy as ever in the evenings when the lights turn on. A51 prides itself in the number of features it houses for all abilities. A 400 foot super pipe and rails and funboxes with names like BBQ Rail, Serpent Rail, and Hog King Box provide enough entertainment and practice areas for just about anyone. There are also quite a few basic rails, rollers, and small boxes for beginning freestyle snowboarders and skiers.

If you are new at snowboarding and skiing in the terrain parks and pipes, here are a few terms that may help you understand what everyone is talking about in these freestyle areas. First of all you should know the difference between freeriding and freestyle snowboarding. Freeriding is a term used to describe snowboarding or skiing on big mountain terrain through trees and off cliffs. Freestyle means spending your time doing tricks in the park and riding pipes. A few terms for freestyle snowboarding or skiing include fakie, or riding in the opposite direction than normal, and jibing, the act of performing tricks and jumping off man-made features. After you "grind," or slide a rail and "stomp," or land a tail grab over a "gap," or a jump over an open space, all the kids in the park will think you are the coolest.