Perisher Blue has just ordered a new �Snow Turbo Half Pipe Grinder� (HPG) for Australia's first ever real Super Half Pipe

The Turbo Grinder is set to arrive direct from Finland in October & could be operational before the end of this season.

The HPG will be specially fitted to one of Perisher Blue�s Bombardier snow groomers. Its� mangan steel, bi-lateral blades will cut snow and ice, lifting it to the top and out of the half pipe, filling, plastering, compressing, sweeping and finishing until the walls are smooth for a perfectly shaped surface.

Perisher Blue has been known to build and retain its� half pipe first and longer than any other Australian resort. It is also widely regarded as having the best pipe in the country. The inclusion of a Super Pipe will ensure riders the very best of the best.

Perisher Blue�s agreement with the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) to be the home resort for the Australian Olympic Snowboard half pipe program will be boosted by the introduction of the new Super Pipe. The Australian Team, as well as up and coming stars, will now be able to train in world class facilities.

Gary Grant GM of Marketing and Resort Services at Perisher Blue is looking forward to the new addition to the resort. �We now have the OWIA programs for the Mogul Skiing Olympic Teams, the NSW Institute of Sports and the Australian Olympic Half Pipe Snowboard Teams, the Super Pipe set new standards and will make Perisher Blue the leading training resort for our winter representative athletes�.

The Super Pipe will have walls 4.5 metres high with a transition radius of about 5.2 metres. This is a much bigger transition area, making it a safer landing platform for everyday skier and boarder use and allows experts the opportunity to generate more speed to launch huge maneouvers off the lip and above the pipe.

As a result, the Super Pipe will enable a higher level of experience for everyone and allow competitions to be of international standard in a safer environment. It is Perisher Blue�s plan to eventually host International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup half pipe competitions on the Super Pipe.

The grand plan is for Smiggin Holes to become the base for the Super Pipe. Additional snowmaking and the wide open terrain at Smiggins will be the ideal location for a world class Super Pipe.

The HPG can also be used for the construction of international standard terrain parks. It can be adjusted to make great spines, banks, quarter pipes and berms for skier & boarder cross enthusiasts.

With the implementation of the HPG, Perisher Blue is set to be thrust onto the international stage as a destination for the world�s best snow riders. Who knows, we may even see Australia�s next gold medalist!