Dogfunk.com Newsletter Articles

In response to Transworld Snowboarding's 06/07 Resort Poll, we decided to do a little terrain park research of our own. We scoured the web and made various anonymous phone calls to find out what the best resorts are doing to up the ante. From Utah to Vermont, these resorts continue to duke it out for the king of the park crown.

Check out what these winners (and hopefuls) have in store for you this year. Keep in mind that features change throughout the season, so this is just the beginning.

Park City Mountain Resort – Utah – Ranking: #1

Park City Mountain Resort won the readers' poll for three years running, and for good reason: four terrain parks for every ability, a world class Superpipe and great flow. Some of snowboarding's biggest names—including Shaun White, and Marc Frank Montoya—call PC their home park. Many others like Dogfunk's own Bode Merrill are poised to take the freestyle world by storm. PCMR added more jumps and jibs, and kept the favorites—huge rails, a 50-footer, and a sweet 40-foot picnic table.

Dogfunk's own Bode Merrill

Mammoth Mountain – California – Ranking: #2

Mammoth Mountain is trying its damnedest to reclaim the #1 spot. This year look out for the Unbound Main Park's Boneyard Bonanza, which has all new 60-foot and 80-foot jumps. The South Park has a new stereo system so you don't have to worry about thrashing your iPod. Meanwhile, the family fun park has more small-scale rails and boxes to learn on.

Winter Park – Colorado – Ranking: #10

For the 06/07 season, Winter Park has focused on flow. After you grease that cab 5, you'll stay in the zone with logical feature placement. They've widened their take offs, added rails, and threw in a couple more of their signature Replicates, which are replicas of famous CO street rails. All of WP's terrain parks benefit from improvements this year—so everyone from beginners to experts will dig the new jumps and jibs.

Boyne Mountain – Michigan – Ranking: N/A

We had to find a park for all you flatlanders and with North America's longest superpipe, we figured Boyne Mountain would do the trick. There are two expert parks at this Michigan resort with multiple hits and tons of rails. There are also a couple parks for entry-level jibbers—with lots of rollers, fun boxes, and rails.

Stratton – Vermont – Ranking: N/A

While Stratton didn't make this year's list, this East Coast resort is doing its best to get in there for next season. They based this year's park layout on meticulous research compiled by their Ski and Snowboard School. They analyzed the way riders learn new tricks and maneuvers to make it easier to land technical tricks and optimize flow. Once you have your skills dialed, dip into one of the East Coast's best superpipes.

Whether you're a local at one of these resorts or are planning a winter getaway, don't look like a chump. For shits and giggles, check out these freestyle setups. There's plenty more where this stuff came from.

• For the ladies:
• Board: Arbor Push – super light, poppy, sick bamboo topsheet
• Bindings: K2 Cinch – ultra-fast entry system, cush straps, comfy fit
• Boots: ThirtyTwo Timbas – street style, custom fit, no pressure points
• Apparel:
• Volcom Venture Jacket – waterproof suede, need we say more?
• Burton Cargo Elite Pants – low-rise, baggy fit, check out the plaid
• Anon Majestic Goggles – women's fit, rad patterns, great clarity
• Celtek Clair Gloves – waterproof leather, low-profile, sick design
• For the dudes:
• Board: Rome Artifact – under $400, a jib-maestro's weapon
• Bindings: Burton CO2 – ridiculously light, ergonomic highback, super sick
• Boots: DC Scout – BOA lacing system, look and feel like skate shoes
• Apparel:
• Analog Foreman Jacket – totally unique, waterproof, iPod pocket
• 686 ACE Rincon Pants – tons of pockets, park fit, included tool
• RED Hi-Fi Audex Helmet – DJ-quality earphones, low-profile
• Von Zipper Feenom Goggle - fog-free, prevents gaper gap