Halfpipes are among the most famous ski resort features, aside from chairlifts, mountain lodges, and and a few others. They seem pretty standard, but building one is a complicated and often extremely precise process. Olympic halfpipes can be extremely high consequence, with even 4 inches of movement along the wall having the potential to end someone’s career.
Snow Surfaces Expert Eric Rosenwald is part of the team at Park City Mountain Resort building the new Olympic halfpipe on the mountain, a 22-foot upgraded feature that will take things to the next level from the traditional 18-foot build. To do so, Eric modeled the entire halfpipe in a 3D model before 50,000 cubic yards of dirt are moved into the feature. The modeling is used in the winter as well, helping to ensure everything is built to specification.
The new halfpipe is set to be used as part of the 2027 Snow League, which the resort will be hosting between January 21st and January 23rd. Park City Mountain Resort is also set to host the men’s and women’s halfpipe snowboarding and freestyle skiing at the 2034 Winter Olympics.