SIX OF THE BEST SNOWBOARDING PARKS

Mammoth, California

This Californian beast has the best conditions for park life: sun, progressive management, and heavy Pacific snow deeper than anything in the Rockies or the Alps. No wonder the place is so popular with British pros.

Mammoth opens in November and keeps rocking until late May or June. Fortunately, us mortals don’t have to compete with high fliers. The resort has four meticulously groomed parks and four pipes, with jumps and jibs to suit everyone from the tiniest beginners to resident superstars.

Details: Day pass from £26.50, www.mammothmountain.com.

Whistler, British Columbia

WHISTLER’S greatest advantage is its natural terrain. With fresh snow, the entire resort is a playground, littered with the natural drops and hits that preceded manmade imitations.

But as befits this phenomenally successful all-rounder, the artificial substitutes are none too shabby: beginner and intermediate areas on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountain, boardercross course, little and large pipes and the Higher Level park, where a helmet and a waiver are prerequisites for entry. New this year is a night-only superpipe, scheduled to open for the FIS World Championships, January 15-23.

Details: Day pass from £36, www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Park City, Utah

UTAH has long been known for perfect powder. Since the 2002 Olympics, Park City — appropriately enough — has been getting just as much attention for its parks.

Besides the famous superpipe, the resort maintains a beginner, intermediate and pro-sized park, patronised by one of the most high profile groups of pro-boarders.

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