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Tuesday, June 3

Powder/Axis Superpark 5 at Timberline

By powdermag.com
powder_superpark5

Perfect weather, new venue, and a smaller group of the world's best park skiers create the ultimate Superpark formula

Look for complete coverage in this winter's issues of Powder and Axis

Check Powdermag.com for new footage and photos being posted daily

Within days of Superpark's debut at Timberline Ski Area on Mt. Hood, Oregon, it became obvious that this was the perfect match: A field of 30 elite athletes, scaled down from 100. A park constructed by the Timberline crew-one of the most respected and esteemed in the snow world-overseen by cinematographer Kris Ostness and professional skier Eric Pollard. A summer camp atmosphere at Camp Windells, complete with skate ramps, a communal breakfast every morning, and even the occasional kegger. Event director Keith Carlsen perhaps summed it up best on day two: "This is the first time in Superpark history where we've been able to create a sense of community. With everyone staying at Windells, riders are able to hang out together on and off of the hill and enjoy themselves rather than hiding in condos playing video games."

The atmosphere at the Shamrock Motel, ground zero for Windells Ski and Snowboard Camps, transitioned to Timberline Ski Area, where the top athletes in skiing fed off each other's advice and energy to produce some of the best park footage to date. Vets like Jon Olsson and Candide Thovex shined, while new-comers such as Mike Wilson, Liam Downey, and Shoya Okazaki served notice to the 20-somethings that the future is here. Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Matt Sterbenz, meanwhile, showed that while their skiing is not limited to the park, their skills in that department are on par with the best of them. Injuries were limited to the unfortunate broken and cut thumbs belonging to Peter Olenick and Pep Fujas, respectively.

"This year's Superpark jumps aren't as stupidly enormous as year's past," said 16-year-old, three-year Superpark vet Mike Wilson. "The creators scaled it down and gave it a more technical riding feel and a much smoother flow so you can take it from the very first jump to the very last."

The weather cooperated as well, providing a string of sunny days almost unheard of in the perennially wet mountains of Oregon. In five days, the sun shined everyday but one; rain-the biggest concern with a move to Oregon-was all but non-existent.

Complaints from a notoriously vocal demographic of pro skiers were few and far between. "There could have been some bigger jumps," said Candide Thovex. "But maybe that is not for everyone." The only other downfall seemed to be that there was not enough time for everyone to accomplish their goals. "Extend Superpark!" Late-comer David Crichton decried on the final day.

AXIS editor and freelance photographer Matt Levinthal-who spends his entire winter shooting progressive skiing in parks and the backcountry-summed up the Superpark experience with a bold statement: "Having so many of the top riders, photographers and filmers living, eating, and riding together in one place without the limitations of a competition produced the most creative and productive session I've witnessed."

Complete coverage of Superpark 5 will appear in Powder and Axis magazines this winter. Keep an eye out for the release of the second Superpark DVD this fall, brought to you by POWDER, AXIS, Timberline Ski Area, and Salomon North America, available for order in the magazines or on Powdermag.com

POWDER AND AXIS MAGAZINES WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A HUGE THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL AND HARD-WORKING PEOPLE BEHIND SUPERPARK'S SPONSORS: TIMBERLINE SKI AREA, WINDELLS CAMP, & SALOMON NORTH AMERICA.

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