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.
I just got this email from Park Crew Supervisor Johnny Thorne…
The last day for the glade (small) terrain park will be Sunday the 2nd of May. As far as everything else goes: Paintbrush will be closed on Sunday the 2nd of May for a POW photoshoot and then remain closed the 3rd and 4th for a rebuild before New Schoolers show up on the 5th. Paintbrush will be open to public during New Schoolers which will run the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th of May. Cutters camp starts on the 9th of May and runs through the 13th, and this will consist of the major upper hill builds in Otto Lang and the pipe. Sunday the 16th of May will be the last day Stotmin’ Normans will turn, so our scheduled day for Otto and the pipe to open will be Monday the 17th. Snow is scarce this season but we are planning on a 4 jump line in Otto as well as a single rail line of 4 or 5 (snow dependent). Shooting for a step down to step up jump combo in the lower section just above the hotel. Want to say thanks for a good winter season and have a great spring/summer season as well.
Sounds pretty sick. Can’t wait to ride some pipe.
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago at 1:37 pm. 4 comments
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 didn’t think they would be able to do it. Not with so little snow. Not as good as last year. No way! I’m talking about the Park Department being able to build a park that was as good as Paintbrush last year. Well from what I saw today, I think they’ve done it. And hopefully it will be finished by tomorrow. Stay tuned for a full report in the next day or two. After we get done testing that baby out.
Time to step it up kids…
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago at 6:25 pm. 5 comments
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
I received an email today from Travis Banks, Park Crew Manager at Timberline. He let me know Paintbrush is set to open on January 14th, two days before a USASA slopestyle contest that weekend. For many of us this is when the season officially kicks off. Now that we’ve had some time to get our legs, it’s time to get down on something a little bigger.
Timberline will be cranking out a quick video update each week with the crew that makes it all happen… In this ParkCast, Regular Guy Ricky Hower (AirBlaster team rider and Timberline Rental Shop Guy) delivers a quick interview with Timberline Park Manager Travis Banks. Thanks to Steve Walker for welding up the new feature and the entire Timberline Park Crew for maintaining the best parks on Mt. Hood!
Posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago at 9:37 am. 2 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.
