DECEMBER 17, 2009 ISSUE
Fresh Fridays Series Returns to Appalachian Ski Mountain Friday
A local skier goes 50/50 on Appalachian Ski Mountain’s Rainbow Rail during a recent event. Photo submitted
The Appalachian Terrain Park (ATP) has been drawing huge crowds to their signature event, Fresh Fridays, since the event first began in 2006. Most of their success is due to the tireless effort of their design and build team who has been pushing the limits of the North Carolina terrain park scene over the last few years with cutting-edge custom designs.
During last year's Fresh Friday series, ATP offered participants to the events a chance to be among the first to ride on a variety of features like the Red Bull wall ride, a 73-foot-long rail slide, and the region's first channel gap—a massive jump that allowed riders the chance to launch big airs with intimidating consequences. The result of all of this hard work has made ATP look more and more like the Winter X Games as groups of skiers and snowboarders line the mountain waiting for their opportunity to attempt the latest tricks for a chance to win big prizes.
The success of the park is due largely in part to the constant changes in features, jumps and rails within the terrain park.
“Fresh Fridays really inspire the crew to get creative with feature setups, and provide all of our guests with dynamic, ever-changing park layouts,” said Drew Stanley, Appalachian Terrain Park manager.
This year, ATP crewmembers are excited about some new designs for the 2009-2010 season. Over the summer, Grayson Gordon, the full-time, year-round terrain park supervisor and in-house welder, produced more than 12 new rails and boxes that will be used for many of the Fresh Fridays. The layout of the park for the events is determined roughly one to two weeks in advance with input from the entire ATP crew.
For the first Fresh Friday, which takes place this Friday, December 18, Stanley and the crew are working to incorporate a Christmas theme to help visitors to the mountain get into the spirit of the season.
“We will set up a Christmas tree bonk for riders, and introduce one of our new lift tower jibs that has been painted to look like a candy cane,” Stanley said. “We want riders to break out their tacky Christmas Sweaters, Santa suits, etc. to come ride in.”
Entry to the first Fresh Friday is free with the purchase of a lift ticket. Registration will take place from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the registration desk on the upper level of the lodge. The shred session will last from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the awards taking place nearby the setup immediately after the jam ends.
One of the biggest drawing points to these events is often the amount of prizes that are given out to event participants. Every year sponsors of the events provide thousands of dollars worth of merchandise that is given away as prizes.
“We're fortunate to work with several companies who provide tons of prizes for both our Fresh Friday and Shred for the Cup series events,” Stanley said. “Fresh Fridays normally has lots of product to give out including goggles, gloves, clothing, backpacks, headphones, videos and more. And as always, lots of Red Bull to give away for our “Wings Award.” We award prizes to standouts throughout the session, as well as raffle off tons of these prizes to all participants.”
But for Stanley, the events are more about providing a great way for friends to come together and have a good time.
“I guess the main reason I love the Fresh Fridays events so much is because they focus on what skiing/snowboarding should be about—fun. It’s not a serious competition, more like a session with friends. The prizes are a plus, and the changing, never-before-seen features are the icing on the cake.”
In addition to the themed events, Stanley is also excited about a number of other activities and events planned for this winter.
“We definitely have a stacked season this winter—we will be bringing back Ladies Park Nights, as well as our signature Shred for the Cup series,” said Stanley.
In addition to the Fresh Friday series and a variety of other events that are helping to progress the possibilities of these sports in the High Country, Appalachian Ski Mountain has also designed and completed a new board park specifically suited for beginners.
“We have added this new terrain park to provide entry-level park riders an opportunity to develop their skills in a non-intimidating environment with other park riders of the same skill level,” Stanley said. “We are currently fabricating several new and unique features specifically designed for the riders using this new terrain park.”
The new slope is approximately the same width as the Appal Jam Terrain Park, and about as long as Candied Appal. The new slope will be used exclusively as a beginner progression park.
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