17 May 2005
Pipe And Park Investments At Cardrona
A major investment in pre-season earthworks is lining up Cardrona Alpine Resort’s halfpipe and terrain parks to be top
of their game in New Zealand.
Under the expert supervision of John Melville, terrain park builder and halfpipe cutter at Canada’s Whistler/Blackcomb,
as well as in his fifth year at Cardrona, the investment will ensure stronger parks earlier in the season.
While wanting to keep a few surprises for when the snow falls, Melville confirmed the Johnny Holmes Superpipe is being
widened.
“We’re paying special attention to the pipes this season,” he said. “We’ve got the world’s top riders competing in them
for the Burton New Zealand Open and they’ve got to be world class. We will also increase the number of features and fun
boxes in the terrain park.”
Melville went onto say Cardrona’s terrain park had received excellent reviews during the 2004 season but there was no
danger of any complacency.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from riders about the park but we need to keep moving it forward and pushing the
skiers and riders harder. We’re obviously dependent on snow to see how far we can take it. However, Cardrona’s terrain
park will be up there as not only the country’s longest but also the country’s most varied that compares favourably with
overseas facilities.”
Melville believes the strength of the crew, known for their pipe and park capabilities, will ensure the parks’ continued
growth and keep them challenging and fresh throughout the season. His two right hand men are Hamish Rudhall, Squaw
Valley’s top pipe cutter, and Nick Stephens, who works in Park City Utah’s terrain park crew who were responsible for
earning the resort the award of North America’s best terrain park, as voted by the Transworld Resort Guide.
ENDS