The new Slopestyle course has opened in Perisher Blue, and with it the only Wall Ride in the Southern Hemisphere.

These additions to Perisher Blue�s already extensive and varied terrain makes it the premier destination for skiers and snowboarders who are into freestyle or �new school� skiing and riding.

The slopestyle course, located on Perisher Blue�s Front Valley, contains three tabletop jumps and is soon to be fitted with two rails. Skiers and snowboarders will start at the top of the course and travel down to the bottom, hitting these features as they go and attempting different tricks from each.

The size and shape of the jumps in a course such as this is important as it pertains directly to the amount of air time skiers and riders can achieve, and therefore the kinds of tricks they can complete. Currently the course contains two 20 metre table top jumps and one 10 metre. According to Adam Gailbraith: �Having a course of this standard and jumps of this size is like bringing the Northern Hemisphere to Australia, it means the resort is serious about providing the right kind of terrain for this kind of riding�. Adam is a senior groomer with Perisher Blue who divides his time between Australia and Squaw Valley in the USA.

At the bottom of the course is the Wall Ride. Wall Rides have become popular in Europe and the USA as they provide an urban element to skiing and snowboarding, bringing both sports closer to skate boarding. The wall itself is five metres high and 10 metres wide. Snow is pushed approximately half way up the wall with �gap jumps� either side. These jumps propel riders upwards and across so they can grind the rail at the top and perform �stalls� or �presses�. It is spectacular to watch and provides riders with yet another feature to conquer and experiment with.

Perisher Blue is also committed to the safety of skiers and riders using the course and the wall. This season the resort will be implementing �Smart Style�, an internationally recognised terrain park rating system. The system uses easy to read signage to warn riders of how difficult features may be and also how to use them correctly.

The Slopestyle course is competition standard and will be used for the Playstation 2 Duel X Rails competition on the 27th and 28th of August, as well as the Fructis Australian Snowboard Challenge on the 4th of September.

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