New World-Class Terrain Park Training Facility Opens in Lake Tahoe

Sugar Bowl Launches Premier Terrain Park Training Facility in Lake Tahoe

Sugar Bowl's 85-year legacy as a leading snow sports destination takes a bold step forward with the launch of Sugar Bowl Parks | CA, a comprehensive terrain park facility designed for freestyle progression. The new park system delivers professional-grade training facilities for skiers and riders, creating a clear path from beginner development to elite-level performance on the national and international stage.

“Our vision is to offer a full-size progression facility that can bring young freestyle athletes onto the world stage” said Bridget Legnavsky, CEO of Sugar Bowl

Progressive Training Design

Sugar Bowl Parks focuses on methodical skill development. Each feature is purposefully designed to help athletes advance their abilities from local competitions to global events. This California-based training ground goes beyond standard jumps and rails, offering a comprehensive facility for athletes to reach their competitive potential.

The Full Training Facility Includes:

• Golden Eagle: Advanced jump lines and rails (40', 50', 60')
• Peregrine Ridge: Intermediate jump lines and rails (25', 30', 35')
• The Condor: Big Air (70')

Skogan Sprang, Freeski Sport Director for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team, emphasises the importance of terrain park investment:

Lake Tahoe has such a rich history of producing incredible free skiers and snowboarders. As an athlete who grew up in Lake Tahoe during the golden era of park skiing—when top-tier parks were at every resort here and across the country—there's nothing I want more than to see Tahoe back on the map as a hotspot for park skiing. For the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team to continue excelling at the Olympic, World Cup, and X Games levels, we need more resorts investing in world-class parks and pipes. This will not only help our athletes progress but also inspire the next generation of young skiers to get involved and have fun.

The new terrain park will be located in the centre of this map besides the Christmas Tree lift. Credit: Sugar Bowl Resort

Strategic Location

The new park occupies a prime spot at Christmas Tree, at the base of Mount Lincoln. The Christmas Tree Express Lift provides quick access, while the natural terrain offers optimal angles for freestyle development.

Expert Design Team

Sugar Bowl's partnership with industry veterans Charles Beckinsale and Steve Petrie brings proven expertise to the project. Park Manager Mike Shipani and Head Designer Brandon Dodds contribute over 40 years of combined terrain park experience. Dodds notes: "I've been in terrain parks for 26 years and I've done a lot of high performance camps and training. I'm really looking forward to bringing kids here and providing a place for them to progress their skills."

Building on Athletic Heritage

Since 1939, Sugar Bowl has set standards in snowsports competition, from the historic Silver Belt Classic to today's modern freeride events. Sugar Bowl Parks represents the latest chapter in this story, reinforcing the resort's dedication to athlete development. Through ski racing at the Hannes Schroll Speed Venue, big mountain competitions in the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series, and new terrain park events, Sugar Bowl continues to advance snowsports progression.