Brundage Mountain Resort is taking its terrain park program in a whole new direction this season, creating a unique experience that riders won’t find anywhere else in SW Idaho.

Brundage is moving its primary terrain park from Kickback to an area right under the BlueBird Quad. This creates easier access, better fall lines, and a high-profile location so those sick tricks can be seen by everyone riding the lift.

But what’s truly unique about this park isn’t the location, it’s the construction. Brundage will be using the natural materials on the mountain to shape the terrain and build the features, thus, the moniker, “Deadwood”.

“We’re using logs and standing and fallen trees to craft features large and small,” said resort spokesperson, April Whitney. “Some of the lines are through natural hits that riders are already jibbing off of. We’re building in extra log structures to enhance that experience and create great flow from top to bottom.”

Brundage will maintain a more traditional rail park on Bear, which creates the first step in a unique progression.

“Most resorts start you on small machine-made features, then move you to medium-sized machine-made features, then larger, machine-made features,” said Whitney. ”But we think exploring a terrain park should be as fun and adventure-filled as exploring off-trail powder lines, and this new progression better fits the character of Brundage Mountain.”

Riders can build skills on the traditional features in the Bear Progression Park, then move into this more organic, Deadwood terrain park experience. That sets them up for success when they head over to Hidden Valley to drop small cliffs and hit those sweet, powdery pillow lines.

Next Stop: Hidden Valley

“What makes Brundage so special to most people are the frequent dumps of natural powder we get here,” said Whitney. “With most terrain parks, a powder dump means it’s time to get the rakes out and undo what Mother Nature has done. With our Shred Park design, all those powder dumps will enhance the terrain park experience rather than ruining it.”

The wooden platforms are designed to capture fresh snow, mimicking pillow lines one would find in the backcountry. These features should also open earlier in the season because it won’t be necessary to push thousands of cubic feet of snow to get them to a usable size.

Riders should pack a sense of adventure with them as they enter the Deadwood Shred Park, as this park will feel decidedly different from what they experience at other nearby resorts.

“We feel this is much more Brundage-esque that our past terrain park efforts,” added Whitney. “In the same way you won’t find a McDonalds or Walmart in McCall, you won’t find the same cooking-cutter terrain features at Brundage Mountain. But you will find a great adventure and some nature-inspired thrills.”

This new park experience will also enhance the opportunities for Brundage Ski & Ride programs.

“Terrain based teaching is a new approach to snowsports,” explains Ski & Ride School Director, Seth Jacobsen. “Runs, trails and features are designed and used to excite, inspire and build skills. This is especially true in kids but also in adults who are looking to add a little extra fun to their lives.”

Meanwhile, Kickback (in the Lakeview Bowl) will return to its full groomerific glory, which should please corduroy cruisers who enjoy carving up that run while taking in the view of Payette Lake.