Terrain Parks

Freestyle Terrain use, like all skiing and riding, exposes the user to the risk of serious injury. Prior to using freestyle terrain, it is the user’s responsibility to become familiar with all instructions and posted warnings and to follow Your Responsibility Code and SMART STYLE.

Educating guests about responsible Freestyle Terrain use is important. Guests should be aware of their responsibilities when using freestyle terrain. The list below provides some basic guidelines for guests. This list may be posted on signs at the entrance to the park, on signs on lifts accessing the park, on trail maps and guides, and in other collateral pieces that the resort makes available to guests:

Orange Oval

The orange oval is used to designate Freestyle Terrain on the mountain. Look for the orange oval on trail maps; trail signs, and lifts to identify Freestyle Terrain.

You are in control: What you need to know before using Freestyle Terrain

• Know Your Limits and ability level and select the appropriate freestyle terrain for you. Your physical condition, speed, controlled balance; body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will directly affect your desired outcome.
• Know the intended use of the freestyle terrain you have chosen. For example, some features are intended to be used in a series with no stopping and some individually with stopping areas; jump ramps are for jumping and rail ramps are for entering onto rails.
• Inspect the features that you are about to use. A daily inspection runs through the park is always advisable as features may have changed from prior usage. This is particularly important if you have not used the park before.
• Your actions can take you out of balance and cause serious injury or death no matter how the feature is designed or where you land.
• AVOID THE BACKSEAT — LAND ON YOUR FEET!
• Transitions are changes in the shape and pitch of the snow or feature or changes from one type of sliding surface to another. Transitions can be gentle or abrupt and demand users to be alert and respond to them with accurate movements.
• Know where to land. The “sweet spot” is between the knuckle and center of the landing zone. Even if you land on or near the sweet spot you can still be seriously injured or die if your landing posture is not correct.
• Inverted maneuvers are not recommended.
• Be aware that the features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day
• Read and obey all posted signage, instructions and warnings before entering freestyle terrain.
  • Know PARK SMART
  • Know the ATML Model
  • Know Your Responsibility Code

The NSAA in cooperation with Burton, the National Ski Patrol, the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors created SMART STYLE in an effort to promote the proper use and progression of Freestyle Terrain skills and knowledge. The PARK SMART tenets provide clear, concise and effective messages for all Freestyle Terrain users.

There are FIVE main messages that are associated with SMART STYLE:

START SMART: Work your way up. Build your skills.
MAKE A PLAN: Every feature. Every time.
ALWAYS LOOK: Before you drop.
RESPECT: The features and other users.
TAKE IT EASY: Know your limits. Land on your feet.

ATML is an acronym for Approach, Takeoff, Maneuver, and Landing.

The latest version of the SMART STYLE DVD has introduced the ATML model. ATML is an acronym for Approach, Takeoff, Maneuver, and

Landing. It breaks down the usage of terrain features into four zones. Each zone requires certain actions and tactics from the user and these actions directly impact each subsequent zone. Introducing the ATML model to guests reiterates that their actions in each zone will determine the outcome.

Each feature can be broken down into 4 zones. Identify these zones and have a plan before using any freestyle terrain.

• Approach zone is space for setting your speed and stance to use the feature.
• Take-Off zone is for making moves that start your trick.
• Maneuver Zone is for controlling your body in the air and setting up for…
• Landing!