Take Your Skills Over to the Darkside

Cranmore’s Terrain Parks Now Ranked #3 in the East

Cranmore's Darkside Terrain Park Download hi-res version.

NORTH CONWAY, NH – Cranmore’s terrain parks have long been known by locals to be the best in Mount Washington Valley. But now the secret is out and Cranmore’s signature Darkside Terrain Park is now ranked #3 in the East by readers of Snoweast magazine.

With training and tutelage from industry leader Snow Park Technologies (the people who design for the X Games and Vans Cup at Tahoe), Cranmore’s park crew build three customized terrain parks each winter -- parks that now are recognized as among the best in the region.

Lucky Loop [Beginner’s Luck Trail]

The Lowdown:  Features a small and medium box and a small and medium flat rail.

Geared For: The absolute newbie. With jibs no higher than one to two feet off the ground, the risk (and fear) of trying new techniques is minimal.

Inside Scoop: The park is serviced on the weekends and vacations by the Lucky Loop Handle Tow, bringing you directly back to the park—no need to repeatedly load and unload the South Chair to ride back down Beginner’s Luck. 

Other Side [South Slope]

The Lowdown: This small- to medium-sized park is equipped with one 10-foot jump, another 15-foot jump, a few boxes, a mini wall ride, and small gaps.

Geared For: The superstar waiting for his turn to shine. Get comfy on these features and you’ll be tearing it up with the big boys in no time.

Inside Scoop: Locals’ slang term for the Other Side is the “Mini-shred,” so if someone asks you along, they just want you to come practice some skills on this South Slope park.

Darkside Terrain Park [Zip Trail]

The Lowdown:  With more than 30 jibs and medium to large elements, highlights include a wall ride, stair set, battleship box, C-Box, and both a down-flat-down rail and box. 

Geared For: The devoted shredder ready to lay down another front-side 900.

Inside Scoop: There are two lines through Darkside, one designed for more advanced slope-style and another with easier jibs and smaller jumps for those not chasing after Shaun White. 

Not only are Cranmore’s parks legendary. The Darkside crew also puts on events to challenge the most experienced park shredders. And new for this year, the Darkside is living up to its name with the addition of night time events under the lights. The Darkside Series takes place on select evenings throughout the season.

Check out these annual favorite events, showcasing skier and rider talents at their best. 

12/27 Monster Mash The first official park event of the year for competitors to earn points that will be carried throughout the three-event series.

1/9, 2/6, 3/13 Darkside Series The Darkside’s first-ever night-time terrain park event series, held under the lights in the signature park.

1/17, 2/14 Jibsaw Massacre Skiers and riders earn points for runs through a specially chosen course.

2/20 Pink Ribbon Jibbin’ For breast cancer awareness, skiers and riders get a chance to slide a custom element made just for this event.

3/28 Cranarchy The all-day season-ending event offers an informal jam session and free barbeque for skiers and riders.

Find out more about the park events at Cranmore.com/darkside. You can also add Cranmore as a friend on myspace.com and facebook.com; or follow them on twitter.com.