03 August 2004
New Zealand's Longest Terrain Park Launched
With the final features now in place, New Zealand’s longest terrain park is up and running at Cardrona Alpine Resort. At
1.3km long, the park boasts a total of 22 jibs and five jumps over two trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner to
expert.
Park designer, John Melville, said it is the first time a park of this intensity and variety has been seen in New
Zealand and the work isn’t over yet.
“We’re working at constantly evolving the park, keeping it ever-changing so the riders always have something new to
challenge them – by spring it’s going to epic. We’re already getting a lot of comments that it’s the best facility in
New Zealand for freestyle riding and skiing.”
The park’s design has focused on good flow from one feature to another and the ability to hit multiple features in one
run. The advanced Heavy Metal Trail features three tabletops vary in size from 7.5 -18 metres and the rails include
boxes, urban street-style, C-box, battleship and a 16m long and 3m high rainbow rail.
The Playzone Trail for beginners and intermediates has smaller features and rollers instead of tabletops for jumps,
allowing those just starting out on the metal to do so without being daunted by giant rails.
Originally from New Zealand’s Far North with a surfing background, Melville is in his third season at Cardrona and is
also well known for his work as a terrain park designer for Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada. Blackcomb’s
pipe and terrain park has been rider-voted North America’s best park facility in ‘02/’03 and ‘03/’04 by Transworld
Snowboarder Resort Guide and Skier Magazine.
ENDS