Breckenridge has always been a mecca for riders looking for a quality and consistent pipe and park. With the addition of the 22 foot halfpipe this season, even more athletes, pros and up and comers have made Breck their home base, traveling from all over the world to test their skills and progress on the pristine and perfect 22 foot transitions. This week, I asked some of these familiar faces why they choose to ride at Breckenridge and what they thought of the pipe. Here is what they had to say.
Linn HaugTrondheim, Norway. Burton pro rider and Norwegian Olympian. "I try to spend as much time as I can in Breck every season for one simple reason: Breck always has the best and well shaped halfpipe throughout the whole season. It's a sick spot to get back in the game before the season kicks in, and to work on new stuff in the spring time!"
Tom WillmottHead Coach New Zealand snowboard team "We come to Breckenridge to ride pipe because it is one of the best halfpipes in the world. The shaping has been absolutely fantastic, and we have really enjoyed boosting some big airs at Breckenridge"
Rebecca Sinclair Wanaka, New Zealand. New Zealand national team "I have been riding at Breck for most of the season and the halfpipe has been really good. I've had heaps of fun and can't wait to come back next year."
Mitchell Brown Wanaka, New Zealand. New Zealand national team"The Breckenridge halfpipe is perfect, I can't really say anything bad about it. It's been a great training facility for spring and it's been great to learn tricks in. I will definitely be back."
Rana Okada Ohstu, Japan. Burton pro rider, Japanese Olympian"I am here because the halfpipe is always so good and there is no more snow in Japan."
Chris Clark Breckenridge, Colo. Coach for ISTC Freestyle (International Snowboard Training Cooperative) "We have the team ride at Breck, because we know it's going to be good. Time and time again, it's going to be cut, it's going to be cut to perfection. You do not have to worry about what figuring out what the pipe is doing or how it is designed, you know it is going to be done to perfection every time."
Katie TsuyukiSquamish, BC, Canada. Competitor and pro-rider "I choose to ride at Breckenridge because it's a world class pipe. There are also lots of sunny days here too, but most of all it's because of all the nice cuts on the pipe. High quality training is really important because out of a whole day of riding you might only get a total of 7 minutes in the pipe, so you might as well make it count." Katie also organized a bowling night for the whole international pipe crew, check the out the video here and her website too.
Shuri Terada Takahama-Shi, Aichi, Japan. Professional skier"I come to Breckenridge because we do not have a 22 foot halfpipe in Japan, and the Breckenridge halfpipe is everyday perfect."
Ben Boyd Vail, Colo. Snowboard coach for elite athletes ranging from Breck team riders JJ Thomas and Brett Esser to Australian Jr Team"We love coming to Breck. It's the most perfect 22 foot pipe in the world, the parks are unreal and the feedback we are able give is awesome and always taken on board. Being able to rock out to these kind of facilities everyday is perfect and leads to a lot of progression from all of our athletes, and can't ask for anything more than that."
Steve FisherBreckenridge, Colo. Breck team rider, 2 time X Games Gold Medalist "I love the Breck pipe because it always is going to be perfect, literally every day in the spring is as pristine as a Dew Tour or X Games pipe. You come here and this thing is ready to go, ready to learn tricks, ready to harness all that you can on any given day. All you have to do is make sure that the sun is shining and it usually is and get ready to huck."
Even though I have enjoyed all my travels, there is nothing I love more than coming home to ride the best park and pipe in the world. I've had an amazing time riding with so many awesome and inspiring people this season here in Breckenridge and meeting great friends along the way.
-Leslie Glenn