Chasing the snow at Seven Spring's urban terrain park

Many of the top American snowboarders chased the snow to Somerset County Thursday for the opening of Seven Springs Mountain Resort's terrain park, The Streets.

People stood for hours at the bottom of The Streets to watch professional snowboarders perfect their latest tricks off rails, ledges, gaps and walls, all built with the look and feel of riding in a city.


Brian Dwyer, 22, drove from Pittsburgh just to ride and said it was a bonus to be there for the opening of the first terrain park of its kind in the world. He has snowboarded since he was 5 and has traveled as far west as Colorado and up and down the East Coast chasing snow.

"There is just nothing like this anywhere," he said. "It is one of the coolest things I've seen in snowboarding."

A variety of features accommodate different levels of snowboarding expertise in the urban terrain park.

"Just having the level and variety of terrain park features allows snowboarders to progress at their own speed," Seven Springs action sports director Joel Rerko said.

Seven Springs partnered with Forum Snowboards, Forum Team riders Pat Moore and Nic Sauvé and Snow Park Technologies to create The Streets.

Everything came together and functions the way the creative team envisioned, said resort communications manager Anna Weltz.

"It is all about progression in the sport," Dwyer said. "It is all about trying to be better than the last ride. It takes confidence and commitment. You've got to know your limits. You've got to respect those who are better than you are."

Forum Pro Team member Stevie Bell liked that the park is built to push limits. The Salt Lake City, Utah, professional snowboarder said he enjoyed riding in the park. But even more, he was looking forward to showcasing his sport to young snowboarders once the park opened to the public Thursday afternoon.

"The kids here don't have to chase snow. It is in their backyard," he said.

Julie Donovan, marketing director for the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, agreed.

"What a fabulous opportunity for the local kids. One of them might be the next Shaun White," she said.

She attended the event with the bureau's marketing team to prepare for next winter's campaign. White is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe competition.

"I want to ride a lot harder after watching these guys," Dwyer said.