Halfpipe

Snowboard & Freeski Development Coaches E-Learning Competition Formats Halfpipe

Halfpipe Format

To understand the format of a halfpipe contest.

Halfpipe contests are one of the oldest forms of competitive snowboarding and has become big in the freekiing world more recently. These days, very few resorts around the world maintain a halfpipe but those who do, usually host contests too.

Age Divisions

In New Zealand, the only halfpipe event is held at the NZ Junior Nationals. The age divisions here are:

Under 8s, Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s, Under 18s
Athletes must be under the age specified above and not turn that age within the same calendar year as the event.

Environment

Size of Pipe

At the NZ Junior Nationals, the younger divisions are usually held in the mini pipe. This is typically between 4-5m high and long enough for 6-9 hits.

U16s and U18s are usually held in the super pipe, which is 6-7m high and long enough for 5-8 hits.

As halfpipes require a lot of snow and maintenance, there are seasons when there is only the super pipe available or the pipes are shorter than usual.

Transition

The transition of the pipe is the area on the wall between the flat bottom and the vert. In the super pipe this transition is quite long, giving lots of time for the athlete to prepare for their trick.

In the mini pipe this transition is much quicker, meaning rider has to adjust quickly to manage the change in pressure and position before performing their trick.

Transitions on the sunny wall are often more affected than on the shady wall.

Vert

The vert is the vertical portion of the wall. In the super pipe this is at least 1m, meaning riders need to maintain their speed and line to air out of it.

In the mini pipe, the vert is much shorter meaning less speed is required but there is also less time to make movements during the takeoff.

Formats

Standard Halfpipe Format

Most halfpipe events provide the athletes with two judged runs. Scores are out of 100. The best score is taken as their final score. Scores are not combined. If the rider doesn’t complete the course, or misses their run, they are given a DNF by the judges (“did not finish”).

Every hit is taken into account. If the athlete only performs tricks on their frontside wall, this is also considered by the judges.

The start order for athletes can vary at the junior level but are often simply done in the order in which athletes sign up to the event, or are generated randomly. This changes for FIS level and other international events.

Jam Session Format

In a jam session format, riders are given a specified time period in which they can take as many runs as they choose to (depending on the starter and keeping the course safe). In this format, you often see riders dropping in from halfway up the pipe and hiking for one or two hits.

Athletes are given an overall performance score for the whole jam session, meaning the more variety of tricks and consistency in landings, the better. Scores are out of 100.

International Formats

Most FIS and other international halfpipe events use a qualifying system. This puts riders into two larger fields, with the top six typically proceeding into a finals. This format allows for a wider pool or talent and the top riders to conserve their tricks for the finals. Riders are often seeded coming into the event, based on their previous results.

The number of runs given depends on the event but is typically two. Scores are always out of 100, with the best score counting.

Watch the highlights video of the 2019 Snow Sports NZ Junior Freestyle Nationals Halfpipe…

Competing in Halfpipe

A good halfpipe competitor will be able to show tricks on both their backside and frontside walls, a variety of grabs and inverts or off-axis spins, including switch takeoffs/landings.

In most halfpipe contests, riders are judged on; progression, amplitude, variety, execution and difficulty.

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