General Information

Ben Lynch - Rider Photo- Dave Lehl 

Team Information

Team Criteria

Team Sponsors

How to Sign-up!

WPST Responsibility Code

Snowboard Speak
*According to Transworld Snowboarding

• General Terms
• Straight-Air Grabs
• Slopestyle Invert
• Halfpipe General
• Halfpipe Grabs
• Halfpipe Handplants
• Halfpipe Inverts

  WPST Trick List
  (Need Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Team Information

The Winter Park Snowboard Team (WPST) was founded in 1996 to provide local and Front Range riders with a structured program to develop personal riding ability, creativity, and style.  Since then, the team has grown ten-fold and has become one of the premier teams in the nation. 

The WPST is a program for riders looking to improve their technical skills, as well hone their competitive strategies in local, regional, and national competitions.  Potential team members are expected to ride at a high level before joining the team (Team Criteria).  

Riders are expected to start in the Winter Park Development Snowboard Team BEFORE joining WPST.  Development Team Coaches will recommend riders to WPST when they are prepared.

Parents please read the parent information page too! 

Dan Shaw - Rider Photo- Dave Lehl

Riders looking to improve their skills in order to attain the Team Criteria should begin with one of Winter Park's other snowboarding programs such as the Park Sharks or Winter Park Development Snowboard Team.

For more information on all Competition Center programs please visit www.wpcompcenter.com .  OR call (970) 726-1590.

19 and Older Riders!

WPST is open to riders of all ages!  The same criteria used for our younger riders will be used to assess and select 'senior team' riders.  Teams will ultimately be a combination of all age groups based on the below criteria.   Riders with any questions or concerns-contact Head Coach James Mammele.

Program Options**

WPST will offers 3 options including a one, two, and three day program.

Team Criteria

Traditionally Competition Center programs have been separated on the basis of age and skiing/riding level. In an effort to maximize athlete training time, training intensity, and coaches' effectiveness, WPST will be separated into definitive training groups. The groups will allow every athlete to get the most out of their season. The WPST will be broken down into groups depending on the following criteria:
 

• Level of riding ability
• Desire to compete in local and regional events
• Desire to train on specific snowboarding techniques
• Desire to be an active and participating member of a TEAM

As in the past, we will be competing in the Winter Park Amateur Snowboard Series, Copper Mountain series, and USASA National Championships (riders who qualify). Athletes choosing to compete at Copper Mountain will be expected to arrange their own transportation. Entry fees and discounted lift tickets will be an additional cost to the competitors at each event. Athletes are NOT required to compete in any events, however, it is recommended that athletes take part in a few Winter Park events.

Below is a brief description of what is expected by each Team and its members.

National Team 

The National Team is a physically and mentally demanding program.  Riders on this team are challenging themselves and their teammates to improve their riding and competitive skills.  Most riding sessions are focused on improving specific high-end technical skills, creativity, and style.

Crazy-eye Killer - Rider Photo- Jay Stewart

Level of riding ability-
Minimum riding requirements-

• Strong and dynamic carving ability in all snow conditions and terrain

• Unnoticeable difference in forward and switch riding

• Can perform freeride jibbing tricks at freeride speed

• Can hit medium jumps switch

• Capable of multiple variations of straight-air grabs (using both front and back hands)

• Can perform all 4 rotations

• Stomp 90% of 180's on medium to large tabletop jumps

• Stomp 80% of 360's on medium to large tabletop jumps

• Desire to attempt off-axis and corked spins

Desire to compete in local, regional and national events-

• Athletes must demonstrate the desire and willingness to compete in both local and regional events.  Traveling to National Championships is always optional.

• Athletes must have their own transportation to the events.

Desire to train on specific snowboarding techniques-

• Athletes must demonstrate the desire to train, develop, and improve their existing technique and skills. This includes training on both fundamental and innovative techniques.

• Emphasis will be placed on developing the weaknesses of a rider's technical ability, not merely developing strong areas.

Desire to be an active and participating member of a TEAM-

• Athletes must demonstrate their willingness to be part of a TEAM. This includes supporting teammates and other fellow riders on and off the mountain.

• Team members are expected to help in the building and maintenance of The WPST Training Area.

• Team members will also be expected to help the terrain park crew prepare before local events.

Regional Team

The Regional Team is designed for riders that are still learning high-end snowboarding skills. Specific training and freeriding will be used to accomplish rider goals. Regional riders can 'move up' to the National Team if the coaches & rider feel it is appropriate.

Matt Kennedy - Rider Photo - Dave Lehl
Minimum riding requirements-

• Solid carving ability in most snow conditions and terrain

• Strong switch riding

• Capable of many variations of straight-air grabs (using both front and back hands)

• Comfortable attempting180's on small and medium tabletop jumps

• Desire to begin attempting 360's on small tabletop jumps

Desire to compete in local and select regional events-

• Athletes must demonstrate the desire and willingness to compete in primarily local events and potentially some regional events

• Athletes must have their own transportation to the events

Desire to train on specific snowboarding techniques-

• Athletes must demonstrate the desire to train to develop and improve upon their existing technique. This primarily will focus on training fundamental rather than innovative techniques.

Desire to be an active and participating member of a TEAM-

• Athletes must demonstrate their willingness to be part of a TEAM. This includes supporting teammates and other fellow riders on and off the mountain.

• Team members are expected to help maintain The WPST Training Area.

• Team members will also be expected to help the terrain park crew prepare before local events.

Local Team 

The Local Team provides riders with the opportunity to learn technique and style while freeriding. Skills will be taught to improve overall riding ability and riders will be introduced to more specific freestyle technique.

Level of riding ability-
Minimum riding requirements-

• Strong carving in most snow conditions and terrain

• Comfortable riding switch

• Have a variety of straight-air jumps with grabs

• Desire to begin attrempting180's on small tabletop jumps

Desire to compete in local and regional events-

• Athletes are not expected to compete unless they choose to.

Desire to train on specific snowboarding techniques-

• Athletes demonstrate the desire to learn and focus on fundamental techniques through freeriding.

Desire to be an active and participating member of a TEAM-

• Athletes must demonstrate their willingness to be part of a TEAM. This includes supporting teammates and other fellow riders on and off the mountain.

• Team members are expected to help maintain The WPST Training Area.

Team Sponsors

Benefits riders receive from WPST sponsors are a privilege, not a right!  Benefits can be taken away at any time if coaches deem it appropriate.  Deadlines for ordering product are fixed and the responsibility to make all deadlines is left to the riders.  Riders, not parents, are expected to manage these responsibilities.  2005 Team sponsors and benefits will be announced late fall / early winter.

WPST Stores-

This year, WPST has multiple stores that want to hook you up.  Stop in and let them know you are part of WPST! They will give you great deals on gear!

&

WPST Goggles and Eyewear-

Bolle is returning this season with force! Bolle will be providing selected Team riders with goggles and eyewear. They even have some for smaller faces too. Oh yeah, can you say replacement lenses? Bolle can...with clear, yellow, orange and vermillon...for every condition. Word!

WPST Outerwear-

686 Enterprises will be well represented this year at Winter Park Resort! 686 is back for its 4th year with team providing great deals on outwear and other gear. A big THANKS goes out to Gags for his fantastic service.

Team riders will have 2 different occasions to order their new gear.  Take a look at the schedule to find out the ordering deadlines.

WPST is part of PowerBar's Team Elite!  We will have plenty of tasty goods to choose from all season.  A nice pile of stuff should be around to help us promote PowerBar as well!
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WPST Responsibility Code

• Show courtesy and respect to others--on and off the hill.

• Be aware of how you are acting & riding and how it may effect others.

• Stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid people & objects. 

• Remember the 15 foot rule! People ahead (downhill) of you have the right of way.  It is your responsibility to avoid them by at least 15 feet.  

• Stop in smart spots!  Not where you obstruct a trail, or in a blind spot. 

• Look uphill & yield to others when starting downhill or merging into a trail. 

• Prevent runaway snowboards. 

• Respect all posted signs and warnings. 

• Do not poach!

• We are the leaders of the spirit and culture @ WP, so respect that responsibility!!!

Snowboard Speak

General Terms

Backside Rotation- A rotation in which your back the first thing to cross the vector in which you're traveling. i.e. clockwise for a regular-footer, and counter-clockwise for a goofy-footer.

Blindside- A term given to any rotation where the snowboarder has oriented themselves "blind" to their takeoff or landing and must stretch to look over their shoulder. Such a technique usually increases the difficulty. (e.g. A backside alley-oop air in the halfpipe is often harder than a frontside alley-oop air because it is blindside).

Boned- A term used to explain the emphasis of style in a trick. In other words, if someone "boned out a method" they would grab hard and create an emphasis of the maneuver such that his/her legs or arms may appear extended or stretched to a maximum degree. To "Bone" means to straighten one or both legs.

Boost- A term used to describe catching air off of a jump. e.g. "He boosted ten feet out of the halfpipe."

Corkscrew- A term used to describe a very fast and tightly performed rotation, either free riding or in the halfpipe. A term used to describe any rotation which is off-axis.

Double Grab-  Doing two separate tricks while in the air. One goes off of a jump, grabs the board one way, then grabs it in another way, then lands.

Double Handed Grab- Simultaneously grabbing the snowboard with both hands while in the air.

Fakie- A term for riding backwards. See also Switchstance.

540 Air (a.k.a. five)- The snowboarder rotates 540 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 540 degrees, and lands riding forward.

Frontside Rotation- Rotating the direction your front heel points.

Half-Cab- Cannot be performed in the halfpipe. It is the freeriding version of the Caballerial in which one rotates 180 degrees from fakie to forward off of a straight jump. See Caballerial and Gay Twist.

Invert- A trick where the head is beneath the level of the board and the snowboarder balances on one or two hands.

Inverted Aerial- A maneuver where the snowboarder becomes airborne and upside down at any given moment.

Late- A term used to describe incorporating something into a trick just before its' completion and landing, i.e. a Method to Late 180 would mean doing a method air and at the last possible second rotating 180 degrees and landing fakie.

900 Air (a.k.a. nine)- The snowboarder rotates 900 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 900 degrees, and lands riding forward.

Nollie- Much like an Ollie only you spring off of your nose instead of your tail. See Ollie.

Nollie Frontflip- Springing off of the nose while going off of a jump and leaning forward, allows you to do a frontflip.

Nose Bonk- To hit an object with the nose of the snowboard.

180 Air- The snowboarder rotates 180 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 180 degrees, and lands riding forward.

Revert- To switch from riding fakie to forward, or from forward to fakie, usually while the snowboard is still touching the ground.

Rewind- A term used to describe any maneuver where a rotation is initiated, stopped, and its' momentum reversed.

720 Air (a.k.a. seven)- The snowboarder rotates 720 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 720 degrees, and lands riding fakie. Of course, it may also be performed switchstance by riding fakie and landing riding forward.

Stalled- When a maneuver is performed such that the point of emphasis in the maneuver is held or "stalled" for an extended period of time. Usually the best time to take a picture.

Staircase- A series of ledges where one jumps down from one to the next. For example, a staircase could be on a naturally occurring cliff jump or on a manmade BoarderCross course.

Stinky- Riding with the legs spread open, (knees apart).

Stomp- A term used to describe making a good landing. e.g. "He stomped that McTwist."

Switchstance (Switch)- The term for performing a trick while riding fakie (backwards). It is important to note that it's a specific term given to a maneuver which is performed exactly like riding forwards. The only difference is the rider is going backwards, hence the term "switched stance". Thus, any trick may be performed switchstance.

Tail Poke- Any maneuver where you bone your rear leg and "poke" the tail of the snowboard in a direction away from your body, usually while grabbing.

360 Air (a.k.a. three)- The snowboarder rotates 360 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 360 degrees, and lands riding fakie. This trick may also be performed by riding fakie and landing riding forwards; in which case it is called a Caballerial. See Caballerial

Tuck knee- A technique where one knee is bent and the ankle bent sideways in order to touch the knee to the snowboard between the bindings. (e.g.. Tuck Knee Indy Air).

Straight Air Grabs

Canadian Bacon Air- The rear hand reaches behind the rear leg to grab the toe edge between the bindings while the rear leg is boned.

Chicken Salad Air- The rear hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while the front leg is boned. Also, the wrist is rotated inward to complete the grab.

Crail Air- The rear hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot while the rear leg is boned.

Crossbone Method Air- A Method Air where the back leg is boned. See Method Air.

Crooked Cop Air- Free riding version of the mosquito air. See Mosquito Air.

Flying Squirrel Air- Bending at the knees and grabbing the heel edge of the snowboard with both hands; the front hand near the front foot, and the rear hand near the rear foot.

Iguana Air- The rear hand grabs the toe edge near the tail. Made famous by Damian Sanders.

Indy Air- A true "Indy Air" is performed backside with the rear hand grabbing between the bindings on the toe edge while the rear leg is boned. Done correctly the board will be even over high than the riders head.

Japan Air- The front hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot(mute), both knees are bent, the rear leg boned, and the board is pulled to the level of the head. Lien Air The front hand grabs the heel edge and the body leans out over the nose. Named after skateboarder Neil Blender. (Lien is Neil spelled backwards).

Lien Method Air- A cross between a Method and a Lien.

Melonchollie Air- The front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge in-between the bindings while the front leg is boned.

Method Air- The front hand grabs the heel edge, both knees are bent, and the board is pulled to level of the head.

Mute Air- The front hand grabs the toe edge either between the toes or in front of the front foot.

Nose Grab Air- The front hand grabs the nose of the snowboard.

Nose Poke Air- Any maneuver where you bone your front leg and "poke" the nose of the snowboard in a direction away from your body usually while grabbing, i.e. Indy Nose Poke Air.

Nuclear Air- The rear hand reaches across the front of the body and grabs the heel edge in front of the front foot.

Palmer Air- A kind of method where the grab is near the nose, the board is pulled across the front of the body, and the nose is pointed downward. Named after Shaun Palmer.

Roast Beef Air- The rear hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while the rear leg is boned.

Rocket Air- The front hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot (mute) and the back leg is boned while the board points perpendicular to the ground.

Seatbelt Air- The front hand reaches across the body and grabs the tail while the front leg is boned.

Shifty Air- A grabless trick where the upper torso and lower body are twisted in opposite directions and then returned to normal. Usually the front leg is boned.

Slob Air- The front hand grabs mute, the back leg is boned, and the board is kept parallel with the ground.

Spaghetti Air- The rear hand reaches between the legs and behind the front leg to grab the toe edge in front of the front foot while the back leg is boned.

Stalefish Air- The rear hand grabs the heel edge behind the rear leg and in between the bindings while the rear leg is boned.

Stalemasky Air- The front hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while the front leg is boned.

Stiffy Air- Any maneuver in which both legs are boned and a grab is incorporated, i.e. Mute Stiffy.

Suitcase Air- A maneuver similar to the Method Air; only once the knees are bent, the front hand reaches under the base of the snowboard to grab the toe edge.

Swiss Cheese Air- The rear hand reaches between the legs behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge in front of the front foot while the back leg is boned.

Tail Grab Air- The rear hand grabs the tail of the snowboard.

Taipan Air- The front hand reaches behind the front foot and grabs the toe edge between the bindings. The front knee is then bent to touch the board tuck knee style.

Slopestyle Inverts

Misty Flip- An inverted backside 540 performed off of a straight jump. It is the straight jump version of the McTwist. Therefore the approach is riding forward and the landing is fakie.

Rodeo Flip- An inverted frontside 540. Off of a straight jump, it feels like doing a backflip and landing riding fakie. In the halfpipe, it is more like performing a 540 degree rotation which is inverted and off-axis.

Halfpipe General

Air-to-Fakie- Any trick in the halfpipe where the wall is approached riding forwards, no rotation is made, and the snowboarder lands riding backwards.

Alley-oop- A term used to describe any maneuver in the halfpipe where one rotates 180 or more degrees in an uphill direction; that is, rotating backside on the frontside wall or rotating frontside on the backside wall.

Caballerial (Cab)- A halfpipe trick which begins fakie, spins 360 degrees, and lands riding forward. Named after skateboarding guru, Steve Caballero. See also Gay Twist and Half-Cab.

Disaster- A halfpipe lip trick where one lands with the coping perpendicular to the snowboard. Originated in skateboarding when skaters would land on the coping and allow their skateboard trucks (axle) to hang-up. With no trucks it's really not a disaster, but we'll call it that anyway.

50/50- To slide with the board parallel to the coping. See also Grind.

Gay Twist- A Caballerial which includes a grab. See Caballerial.

Lip Trick- Any trick performed on or near the lip of the wall of the halfpipe.

Pop Tart- Airing from fakie to forward in the halfpipe without rotation.

Smith Grind- A lip trick where one slides with the coping perpendicular to the snowboard, the front leg is boned, and the nose is oriented below the coping while the tail is above. This is another skate trick that doesn't really make sense in snowboarding.

Halfpipe Grabs

Backside Air- Any air performed on the backside wall of the halfpipe.

Fresh Fish Air- The backside version of the Stale Fish. See Stale Fish.

Frontside Air- A true Frontside Air is performed on the toeside wall of a halfpipe with a grab to the toeside edge between the feet. A frontside air can be any air performed on the toeside wall of the halfpipe.

Mosquito Air- A halfpipe trick in which the front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge between the bindings. The front knee is then bent to touch the board tuck knee style.

Halfpipe Handplants

Andrecht- A rear handed backside handplant with a front handed grab.

BFM- See Elguerial

Elgeurial (BFM)- An invert where the halfpipe wall is approached fakie, the rear hand is planted, a 360 degree backside rotation is made, and the rider lands going forward.

Eggplant- A one handed 180 degree backside rotated invert in which the front hand is planted on the lip of the halfpipe wall.

Handplant (Backside)- A 180 degree handplant in which both hands or the rear hand may be planted on the lip of the wall and the rotation is backside.

Handplant (Frontside)- A 180 degree handplant in which the front hand is planted on the lip of the wall and the rotation is frontside.

Handplant (Layback)- A 180 degree handplant in which the rear hand is planted on the lip of the wall behind the take off point and the rotation is frontside.

Ho Ho- An old-school general term given to any two handed handplant.

J-Tear- An invert where the athlete rotates roughly 540 degrees in a frontside direction while planting one or both hands on the lip of the wall. Invented by Mike Jacoby.

McEgg- An invert where the athlete plants the front hand on the wall, rotates 540 degrees in a backside direction, and lands riding forward.

Miller Flip- An invert where the halfpipe wall is approached riding forward, the front hand is planted, a 360 degree frontside rotation is made, and the rider lands riding fakie.

Phillips 66- An invert where the athlete approaches the halfpipe wall riding fakie, plants the rear hand on the lip of the wall while doing a "front flip" and lands in the transition riding forward. Named after skateboarder Jeff Phillips.

Sad Plant- A term used to describe any handplant where the front leg is boned for style.

Stale Egg- An eggplant with a stalefish grab. See Eggplant and Stalefish.

Halfpipe Inverts

Burger Flip- A halfpipe trick in which the rider performs a switch 180 to late McTwist. One approaches the backside wall riding fakie, rotates 180 degrees in the air, and then reenters the pipe while doing a McTwist. Invented by Todd Richards.

Crippler Air- An inverted aerial where the snowboarder performs a 180 degree flip. In other words, the athlete approaches a halfpipe wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates 90 degrees, flips over in the air, rotates another 90 degrees, and lands riding forward.

Eggflip- An Eggplant where the athlete chooses to flip over in order to re-enter the pipe instead of rotating 180 degrees. Thus, this trick is performed forward to fakie......or switchstance (fakie to forward).

Haakon Flip- An inverted switch 720. A halfpipe trick in which the rider approaches the backside wall riding fakie and rotates in the backside direction while going upside down. Invented by Terje Haakonsen.

Inverted 180- See Crippler

Inverted 540- See McTwist

Inverted 720 (720 McTwist)- An inverted aerial where the snowboarder performs a 720 degree rotational flip. In other words, the snowboarder approaches the wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates 720 degrees in a backside direction while performing a front flip, and lands riding fakie.

McTwist- An inverted aerial where the athlete performs a 540 degree rotational flip. In other words, the athlete approaches the halfpipe wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates 540 degrees in a backside direction while performing a front flip, and lands riding forward. Named after skateboarder Mike McGill.