Terrain Parks

 Terrain Park Guidelines for Lessons

These guidelines are based on instructor credentials and guest skill level. Use these to make appropriate decisions on which terrain parks you can take your guests. The intention is to promote safety and role model the decisions we would like our guests to be making when independent on the mountain. If you have questions, reach out to paul.monk@bigskyresort.com.

Terrain Park and Freestyle Guidelines

  • Instructors with FS1 or higher or have been approved after an annual Terrain Park Safety clinic may take appropriate level 5 or higher groups and private lessons in small terrain parks (Cowpoke and Explorer). Sound judgment should be used at all times.

  • Snowboard students should be making turns on both edges consistently down Harbor’s Halfpipe, Mr. K, and Lois Lane before going into small terrain parks. 

  • Instructors with a FS2 can take level 8 and above students into medium terrain parks (Maverick and Cache) with approval from their supervisor. All students in the lesson should be interested and ready for medium park features. 

  • Only lvl. 9 freestyle specific lessons should be taken into large terrain parks (Swifty park). Instructor needs to have an FS2/3 certification and supervisor approval. 

  • Instructors should be skiing and riding within the freestyle ability level of their students. This means instructors shouldn’t be going into the terrain park to entertain their students with their own personal skiing and riding. 

  • Inverts should not be done in lessons, or anytime while in uniform. 

  • Instructors that are identified as not following proper park etiquette will have terrain park privileges revoked for the season. 

Park SMART 

Park SMART is about all safety and having the knowledge to enjoy your freedom and the freestyle terrain. 

1. START SMALL 

  • Work your way up. Build your skills.  

2. MAKE A PLAN 

  • Every time you use Freestyle Terrain, have a plan for each feature you are going to use. 

  • Remember, your speed, approach and take-off will directly affect your maneuver and landing. 

3. ALWAYS LOOK 

  • Before you drop. Before getting into freestyle terrain observe all signage and warnings. 

  • Use your first run as a warm up run and to familiarize yourself with the park layout and features 

  • Remember that the features change constantly due to weather, usage and time of day so it is important to continue to inspect features throughout the day. 

4. RESPECT 

  • The features and other users. 

  • One person on a feature at a time. 

  • Wait your turn and call your drop-in. 

  • Always clear the landing area quickly. 

  • Respect all signs and stay off closed features. 

  • Remember that respect is important both in the park, and on the rest of the resort. So be smart when you are heading down the mountain or to the lift and save your best tricks for the park. 

5. TAKE IT EASY 

  • Know your limits. Land on your feet. 

  • Ride within your ability and consider taking a lesson if you want to build your knowledge, skills, and bag of tricks. 

  • Stay in control both on the ground and in the air. 

  • Remember you can control how big or small you take the feature by varying speed and take off. 

  • Inverted aerials increase the chance of serious injury and are not recommended. 

YOU ARE IN CONTROL 

Don’t get in the backseat 

Control your speed 

Land on your feet 

YOU ARE IN CONTROL…