The rain and snow stopped just long enough to get some hot laps in Timberline’s new park, Otto Lang. In my 12 years of snowboarding there’s one thing I always look forward to when spring hits, its Otto Lang. And this year Timberline really out did itself. Almost a mile long run of jumps and jibs that should make people from across the northern hemisphere severely jealous. With most resorts across the country closed, here we are sitting on a 7 (yes I said 7) jump line. Ranging from about 15-20 feet all the way up to the biggest jump which I paced out at around 55 feet. All with great take offs and even better landings.
The park department did an amazingly awesome radical job on this park. Now if mother nature would just help us out a little with some sunshine. Hopefully Timberline will bless us with two more weeks of extended riding.
Stay tuned for a report on the superpipe. If it ever stops raining…
I was sitting here thinking about Conway’s this last seasons and how I thought it compared to prior seasons. While it’s hard to compare this one to last, due to the lack of snowfall, I definitely think a couple of things could have been a little better. Mainly in the jib section. By no means am I complaining. However, I do think I have some constructive criticism and ideas for what could make it just a little bit better. Please speak up. I’d like to hear what you guys have to say.
It’s one thing for a resort to have a fun park. Something everyone can ride and have a good time in. This is essential for any resort to grow its freestyle customer base. But it’s another thing for a resort to build a park that truly tests the limits of not only it’s riders but also what the resort can deal with as far as risk. It’s a delicate balance. I remember when Timberline wouldn’t even allow rails in their parks. We’ve come a long way. And Paintbrush is proof of that.
I’m no religious man but I must say, HALLELUJAH! Timberline already has the best parks on Mt Hood. However, this one really widens the gap. I suggested they make the jumps so they shoot you more up than out. I would rather hit a 30 foot jump that sends you 15-20 feet off the deck than a 50 foot jump that sends you 10-15 feet off. Plus when you build jumps that send you up they are taller which leads to smooth take offs with no kick and tall steep landings. I can not wait for the next sunny day. Hope you all have been practicing because it’s time to put on your big boy, or girl, pants. It’s about to be ON!
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago at 11:14 am. 4 comments
Paintbrush is coming together nicely. The jumps still have a way to go before they are up to the caliber of last season but they are still fun. The jibs, though few, are set damn near perfect. I keep hearing that the plan is to wait until the contests are finished and then they are going to stack everything up. Taller jumps, taller landings, more rails and jibs, etc. Hopefully this plan goes through.
Conway’s is temporarily down to a double line. I haven’t heard how long this will last but at least they are good jumps. The only thing that drives me crazy about the second one is that the lip is lower than the knuckle. So if you get your speed wrong you can really bounce off that knuckle to flat. And if you go to fast the landing falls out super fast. If you’re going to make it a step up, make it a step up. Not something in between. Plus it makes you feel like you’re only 3 feet off the ground. That’s just my opinion. Feel free to comment. Other than that Conway’s is On point.
The jibs are sick too.
Stay tuned for a full report (with photos) on Paintbrush.
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago at 11:59 pm. 3 comments
I didn’t get any photos of the park today but I did take a few runs. Oh what a feeling to get a change of scenery. Not to mention some jumps that actually give you a little hang time. I love to be able to style out some tricks finally. Hopefully we get some snow so the Park Soldiers can really get buck nasty in there.
Keep it up guys.
Posted 7 months, 3 weeks ago at 5:39 pm. 5 comments
Check out these photos of some of the new features in Conway’s. Amazing job Soldiers. I hear once the vacation is over, they are going to go buckwild! I can’t wait to see what they come up with. I hope they steepen up the landings after the poll jam and the up box. Other than that, the jib section was DIALED! Now if we could just keep getting snow so they can bust out the Conway’s Quad Pack.
