SNOWBOARD RESORT INFORMATION SHEET HALFPIPE

SNOWBOARD RESORT INFORMATION SHEET HALFPIPE

FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP HALF-PIPE DIMENSIONS 3 4 6 1 2 8 7 5 9 10 DESCRIPTION RECOMMENDED (18 FT PIPE) RECOMMENDED (22 FT PIPE) 1 Length of half-pipe 100-150 m 120-165 m 2 Slope angle 16-17 17.5-18.5 3 Width (crown to crown) 17.5-18 m 19.5 m 4 Width of decks 6-7.5 m 6-7.5 m 5 Height (floor to crown) 18 ft (5.4 m) 22 ft (6.5 m) 6 Height of vertical 0.2 m 0.2 m 7 Drop-in ramp length 15 m 15 m 8 Drop-in ramp width 10 m 10 m 9 Drop-in ramp height at least 5.5 m at least 5.5 m 10 Distance from ramp to pipe at least 9 m at least 9 m 2

IN GROUND BASE DIMENSIONS 4 7 1 6 5 8 2 3 9 10 11 1 12 2 Important Note! Building in-ground walls is optional, and it will save a considerable amount of snow-making. Be aware that the ground will cause the snow to melt faster, and if the base isn t deep enough the dirt walls will appear prematurely. DESCRIPTION RECOMMENDED (18 FT PIPE) RECOMMENDED (22 FT PIPE) 1 Length of half-pipe 100-150 m 120-165 m 2 Height 5 m 6 m 3 Slope angle 16-17 17.5-18.5 4 Distance from ramp to pipe at least 9 m at least 9 m 5 Drop-in ramp angle 25 25 6 Angle from ramp to pipe 8 8 7 Drop-in ramp width 10 m 10 m 8 Drop-in ramp height at least 5.5 m at least 5.5 m 9 Width (crown to crown) 24 m 26 m 10 Width of decks at least 5 m at least 5 m 11 Width of floor 14 m 16 m 12 Dirt wall angle at least 45 at least 45 3

SNOW DEPTH 5 4 3 2 1 DESCRIPTION RECOMMENDED 1 Base snow on bottom (before cut) at least 1 m 2 Snow depth on floor of pipe at least 1 m 3 Base snow on walls at least 4.5 m 4 Snow depth on walls 3.5 m 5 Snow depth on decks 1.5 m 4

HALF-PIPE BASE PREPARATION SNOW MAKING 1. 2. Reserve an area above the half pipe to produce an amount of snow in several 3-4m piles. Let the piles of snow set for a couple of days before pushing into the pipe. Important Note! DO NOT push the snow into the pipe immediately after snow making. To get the best snow quality, the snow needs to be pushed by groomers to avoid different snow layers and soft spots in the pipe. This operation will contribute to get the best snow consistency in the pipe. SNOW PUSHING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Start pushing the snow onto the decks. The snow will be mixed, condensing it. The snow will naturally fall into the floor of the pipe. Frequently drive on the decks to compact the snow. Make sure the decks are at the same angle as the floor of the pipe. Keep pushing snow onto the decks until the height needed for the walls is reached. Make sure the decks are straight with the floor of the pipe, and are flat and even in all directions. Use a laser level to make sure the walls and deck are level with each other. Important Note! Make sure the snow walls and deck are straight with the in-ground dirt walls. Snow deck and walls before the pipe is stepped 5

HALF-PIPE BASE PREPARATION (Optional) 83 A FINAL DIMENSIONS 1. 2. 3. Put one pole at the top of the pipe wall and one at the bottom. Take a strong, thin rope and tighten it between the poles. This will be the crown line. Make sure it is in line with the in-ground wall. (Optional): to assist in cutting a straight line, use a chain saw and shovel to cut along the rope. The chain saw should be around 83. Additional poles can be set up along the rope instead for experienced groomers during the stepping process. Measure 17 m for an 18 foot pipe, or 19.5 m for a 22 foot pipe, and repeat the process for the other wall. Remove ropes when done. 6

HALF-PIPE BASE PREPARATION - STEPPING THE PIPE 1 2 3 4 STEPPING THE PIPE 1. Cut away 1m of snow downwards, staying away from the crown line by 0.5m. 2. Continue making steps downward, each step should be around 20-30 cm, and 30 cm deep. 3. Start making the steps gradually bigger towards the bottom. 4. Make sure the floor of the pipe has a deep enough base, and measure the walls. Important Note! The better the steps fit into the shape of the final half-pipe walls the easier the final grooming will be. Make sure the steps aren t too wide or too deep as the Zaugg Pipe Monster will fill in the empty areas with loose snow, causing soft spots in the final pipe. DO NOT push out too much snow! Make sure to keep the steps in a straight line with the wall. 7

CUTTING THE TRANSITION WITH THE ZAUGG PIPE MONSTER Make sure the Zaugg Pipe Monster is in the correct vert position using the vertical inclinometer (Vert Gauge) located inside the cab of the cat configured to run the Zaugg. The correct vert is between 83 and 88. 6700 (22 ft) 5500 (18 ft) 8

SLOPE CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES CHOOSING A SITE 1. Slope variables: the half-pipe site should be a consistant angle between 17-19. No trees or rocks should be in the pipe site. The construction of in-ground walls will save about one third of the snow required, but may present complications if the base is not deep enough, and the ground will cause the snow to melt faster during spring conditions. 2. East or west: when the half-pipe is oriented in these directions, one wall is exposed to the sun fully while the other is in a shadow. The sunny wall will become too soft and must be reshaped constantly, while the shadow side will remain hard and icy. The sunny wall will melt faster causing the decks to become uneven after a few warm days. 3. South: a south facing half-pipe is practical. The sun will affect both walls during the day and melt at a consistent rate. Generally a south facing wall is warmer, has better visibility and is more hospitable to the public. 4. North: a north facing half-pipe has the best longevity, the sun rarely affects the walls. The snow does not melt as fast and the walls stay very hard. North facing locations with snow making give the best conditions to construct a good half-pipe. Generally the north is colder with bad visibility and isn t hospitable for the public. It is recommended to install lights, build near trees or use colored lines in the snow to improve visibility. 5. Altitude: altitude is important when planning a half-pipe. Without snow making it is unwise to build at an altitude which cannot guarantee permanent snow throughout the season. In general between 1800m and 2200m is the best location for a winter pipe. The higher altitudes have a tendency for bad weather and therefore more work. SNOW CONDITIONS 1. Dry uncompressed power snow is not good for basic construction, as it does not bond together. The snow must be moved into piles close to the half-pipe and left to set. When the weather is warmer the piles can be moved and used in the construction. Powder snow will compress to 1/4 the original quantity. 2. Wet new snow is good for construction and will bond together well. The snow can be pushed directly on to the decks and compressed. Wet snow has good consistency but it will compress to 1/3 the original quantity. 3. Man made snow is expensive and hard to work with. The snow is better made above the site and pushed into the construction area. This will help bond the snow together and stop ice layers and air pockets. This type of snow has the best longevity and after a few warm days will set for a good solid base. Expect man made snow to compress to 3/4 the original volume. 4. Snow and ice is the most difficult to shape. Ice is very durable and does not bond with normal snow very well. If the snow is dry and at high altitude, it will always break away from the ice. The best way to utilize ice or icy snow is to keep it to the outside of the decks and away from the transition. 5. Summer snow is soft and sugary. The crystals have been sun baked and over worked. At altitude there is a chance of new snow in summer which can be mixed with the old snow to bond together. Construction with this snow is difficult and usually undertaken in the morning. 6. Blowing snow with a snow blower is useful. If you have many different snow types and layers in the wall, run the snow through a snow blower and the friction will mix the snow and bond it together. Zaugg offers twin and lateral snow blowers for use with snowcat groomer vehicles. 7. Salted or brown snow should not be used under any circumstance for construction of the half-pipe. The foreign particles will melt the snow 10 times faster than normal. 9

Holzmatt CH-3537 Eggiwil Switzerland Phone: +41 34 4918111 Email: info@zaugg-ag.ch www.zaugg-ag.ch www.zauggamerica.com