The greatly anticipated world class Super Half Pipe opened last Friday at Perisher Blue. Christened the Apple iPod Super Pipe it has walls reaching a mammoth five meters high and a transition area measuring seven meters across, making it, at this time, the biggest half pipe in Australia.

Due to its bigger dimensions and wider transitions, the Apple iPod Super Half Pipe has two key characteristics. It offers skiers and snowboarders a much safer ride, making it easier to learn and for the more experienced, the opportunity for them to execute much bigger airs (meaning amplitude outside the pipe) and therefore the ability to perform more extreme manoeuvres.

It took approximately 8800 cubic metres of snow to build the Pipe and around 110 man hours to make sure its walls are perfectly shaped. Measuring 16 metres from wall to wall and 81 metres in length, it is currently the only one of its kind in Australia.

Adam Gailbraith has been building and shaping half pipes in Australia and North America for 17 consecutive seasons, and currently operates Perisher Blue�s �Snow Turbo Half Pipe Grinder�. Adam will be responsible for the upkeep of the pipe throughout the season, which will be reshaped six days a week. According to Adam, the Apple iPod Super Half Pipe is: � Much taller, wider and steeper than last year�s half pipe, so riders won�t compress into the walls, instead they will flow across the pipe and be able to gain more speed and reach bigger airs�. Adam also believes that the experience he and his team have gained from cutting pipes year round will make sure Perisher Blue�s Super Half Pipe is of superior quality, and will be maintained to the highest standard.

The Apple iPod Super Half Pipe will also be the training ground for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Snowboard Half Pipe Team. One member of the team, Andrew Burton has been competing in Half Pipe internationally for two years, and spent the recent northern winter competing in World Cup events. He believes the Super Half Pipe will be a particularly beneficial addition to the team�s training program. As Andrew states: �Prior to the Super Pipe we had to travel to New Zealand to train, but this means we�ll be able to train and compete here at home. It�s a lot cheaper and it�s always far better to train on home turf�.

It also means Perisher Blue will play host to national and international half pipe competitions this season, including the Fructis Australian Snowboard Challenge 2004 on the third to the fifth of September. This competition is set to be the highlight of the circuit calender, and will be a tremendous event for both athletes and spectators.

The addition of the Apple iPod Super Pipe means that Perisher Blue is now catering extensively for free ride skiers and boarders. Perisher Blue�s Rail Park is already up and running and the Terrain Park in Blue Cow will be operational during the next week. These parks, combined with Perisher Blue�s already wide-ranging terrain, mean that the resort can provide for a much greater variety of skiers and snowboarders.

Media Contact: Dave Kirwan E: dave.kirwan@perisher.com.au T: +61 (0)2 64594419