Ski Area opens Hollywood Terrain Park for the Tricksters

Time to break out the tricks!

The new Hollywood Terrain Park is officially open at the Red River Ski Area, just off of Broadway about halfway up the Red Chair.

Terrain park staff were hard at work last Wednesday, (Dec. 22) digging out holes for bases of the features and moving massive amounts of snow to provide ramps and jumps. 

“We’re out here today building the park, which consists of 10 different features,” Nick Church, a member of the terrain park and grooming staff, said. 

Different boxes and rails, tires and lift towers are just some of the features in the park, which is positioned directly under the Red Chair.

The park is geared for the intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders, while beginners can still use the Pot O’ Gold Terrain Park on Gold Rush Hill.

Six new terrain features and a couple of extra jumps have been added to the park for this year.

The Pot O’ Gold park at the bottom of the mountain has had an increase in usage since it opened on the day before Thanksgiving.

“Everybody has just loved it,” Church said. “Our numbers have been higher than they were last year.”

The ski area plans to have teaching available for those wanting to try out the parks for the first time, or for experienced riders who want to learn new tricks.

“Once we get all three of the parks open full-time and get more situated, we’re going to have clinics right here (Hollywood Terrain Park),” Church said.

Smaller features will be put in for teaching purposes at the park, and the ski area is hoping to purchase an additional dance floor box (with a wider surface) to help teach beginners.

“The big, flat boxes like those are easier to learn on,” Church said. “It’s low to the ground and super wide.”

Church has some advice for both the beginners and the advanced skiers who will try their luck on the new features.

“Start small, know your limits,” he said. “Helmets are a very good idea. I wear one and it’s saved my head more than once.”

Some recon is also necessary before hitting a feature you haven’t tried before.

“Take a look at the features and know what they are going to do to you when you hit them,” Church said. “Just take your time and don’t rush it, and when all else fails, ask somebody. Ask them, ‘Hey, how’s that box today? What’s the speed like?’

“We’re going to try our best this year to be vocal with everyone. We’ll have two or three of us here every day, and we’re here to help.”

For more information on the ski area terrain parks, visit www.redriverskiarea.com., or call 575-754-2223.