Kitzsteinhorn: More Variety in Park and Pipe
Excellent conditions at the Kitzsteinhorn Pipe Training Weeks on the Kitzsteinhorn, Zell am See-Kaprun, Salzburg, Austria: the international top riders rave about the perfect shape of the superpipe on the “Kitz”. From December 2, 2023, it will be open to everyone after the exclusive pro training session. At the same time, the Glacier Park on the glacier plateau will remain open. Easy Park will open in mid or late December, depending on the snow conditions.
“I always love coming back to Kitz: perfect pipe, beautiful Alp views, fast sled laps. My favourite place to train,” enthused freeski vice world champion and X-Games winner Zoe Atkin (GBR) about the Kitzsteinhorn Pipe Training Weeks. Double Olympic champion David Wise (USA) added: “The pipe is perfect. It’s always my favourite training camp of the year!”
Wise felt at home at the camp. Having just recovered from an injury, he got stronger every day. During the Training Weeks, 3-time Olympic medallist Nick Goepper (USA) even announced that he would abandon retirement to return to full-time halfpipe competitions. One of the most stylish freeskiers was 22-year-old Ben Harrington (NZL), with incredible consistency no matter the conditions. Double Olympic champion Eileen Gu (CHN) made even the most difficult tricks look easy with her signature style, and world champion Hanna Faulhaber (USA) wowed spectators with the outstanding amplitude of her jumps.
The snowboarders were just as happy about the conditions: “Kitz pipe is always great vibes,” vice world champion Valentino Guseli (AUS) reported. “Awesome crew that do as much as possible to ensure everything is spot on. Super nice tranny and perfect for maintaining tricks and getting some new ones. Keen for next year!” Guseli was one of the first to arrive on the mountain every day and always the last to leave the pipe after working on his tricks on the airbag all day.
A particular highlight of the camp was the Japanese team, who showed commitment, versatility, and style, with youth Olympic champion Ruka Hirano standing out. Among the snowboarders, Maddie Mastro (USA) put on a style masterclass, while Queralt Castellet (ESP) was going massive during the camp while getting all her tricks back. “This training facility is crucial for us. It’s great to get our halfpipe legs back, to start doing all our tricks again,” she said. “It’s just perfect that we have the option to train now before the season starts, we have the airbag, the perfect superpipe and the great vibes!”
The 150-metre-long and 6.50-metre-high Kitzsteinhorn Superpipe was built by Alli Zehetner, responsible for shaping the superpipe at the last three Olympic Games. Once the Kitzsteinhorn Pipe Training Weeks are over, the pipe will open to everyone on December 2.
The Glacier Park
The Glacier Park on the glacier plateau is in top condition and currently offers twenty rails, tubes, and other exciting features where action-hungry freestylers can satisfy their hunger for jib tricks. The creative set-up will probably remain open until January 2024. Depending on the snow conditions, further obstacles and lines will be added on an ongoing basis. You can find the latest updates on the social media channels of Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark.
Easy Park follows from mid/end of December
Depending on the snow conditions, the next snow park on the Kitzsteinhorn, Easy Park, will open in mid or late December. Snowboarders and freeskiers can look forward to a versatile set-up with smaller kickers as well as various rails and tubes. Central Park, the next playground for tricks and jibs, is expected to open in January. And when the South Central Park is added in February, you can ride up to twenty obstacles in a row in one run!
Please find further information on the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn at www.kitzsteinhorn.at.
via KITZSTEINHORN