Terrain parks are a great way to get out on the slopes and learn new tricks but what mountain has the best park to reach your full potential?Mount Ellen has the most to offer from the park to all mountains to the mini and big park that offer big round tubes,  big jumps, skinny rails, and small jumps. 

But how did parks get popular? Mike McDaniel, a snowboarder and event organizer as well as Sean McMahon were part of making the first commercial snowboard and ski park featuring jumps, and half pipes in California during  the 90’s.  

The first commercial park in Bear valley California was made for creative expression and to challenge people. Jumps, rails, and boxes allow people to learn tricks and develop more skills instead of just riding around

A good terrain park can make a difference, and Mt. Ellen’s is the best in the area.” 

Mount Ellen has events like The Big Kicker to start off the season with a community celebration, and encourages people of all levels to try new trick, whether if it’s a 180 or a 270 on a rail and push their limits to an extent. The event has music, food, and tents that are collaboration partners.

Mount Ellen in the past has offered an event  like the cowbell party, usually around when Ellen opens and in which someone tries to hit a cowbell with the cork of the champagne and if they hit it they get a few drinks on the house.  It’s a chance for the local community to come together and celebrate the start of the winter and appreciate the mountain and community.

 “Most of my friends and the valley kids go to Sugarbush because it’s closer to them and the park is really  good and maintained, ” said Noah Zumberge when  asked what is his home mountain is. 

Because the Sugarbush parks crew has an Instagram page to keep fans updated, you can see what they are designing, and watch their stories to see when they have events and see what they’re building. Sometimes you also find  in their stories on social media that if they’re planning on making a crazy feature with multiple in one. The crew uses use a sketch app and design what it would look like and make sure measurements and everything works and bring it into real life. 

Mount Ellen draws crowds and locals through events and competitions like the Big kicker that features live music, food, drinks, and  a rail jam created by the Sugarbush Parks Crew. This allows people of all ages and beginning to expert to meet and share experiences and push to learn new tricks. 

When Commonground reached out to Noah Zumberge about what resort in Vermont has the best and most to offer in their terrain park, he said “ I think Mount Ellen has the most to offer because their park crew does a great job at creating features for people of all skills and levels.”

And just like a Skatepark a park also allows people of all ages, beginning or intermediate to meet, connect, learn, and share experiences.