2003/04 Season at Mountain Creek

“Dirty Jersey” has a little more to offer than most people might assume. As the hometown hill of the Kass brothers (Danny, Olympic Silver Medallist), Mountain Creek turns out some noticeable talent and is beginning to take the stage on American competition circuits.

I moved to New Jersey in December of 2003, right about the time they received their first significant snowfall. With only 65-80 inches (1.65-2.00 meters) of annual snowfall, the Creek definitely relies heavily on snowmaking to push their season. And with a moderate 1200 foot vertical (360 meter) some might wonder, “Does anything happen in Jersey?” Well my friends, if you tuned in to see the Grand Prix of Snowboarding this past season you’d see the finals held on the newly cut 500 foot long, 18 foot Super-Pipe with television grade lighting in none other than the north of Dirty Jersey.

Smack in the center of the hill above the main lodge, the pipe is definitely located to be spectator friendly and to be placed on a pedestal if you will. But while the Super-Pipe is the cou de gras of the season, the park crew and Jib Lab are also churning things up farther on the mountain. Every year the Jib Lab pushes the limits of the riders with obstacles seen by pros at the top mountains; double down kinks, c-boxes, step-up rails, and rainbows. And the park crew does a good job of cutting up the mix with well-placed tables step-downs and hips. But I won’t lead you on, Mountain Creek is definitely jibber driven.Owning over 52 different railslides, the Creek comes to bat with some creative designs and use of those on the hill. Not confident on the steel yet? Take a spin through the EZ slide courses with wider, lower rails built to help riders gain confidence. Then you can step it up.As mentioned the snowfall leaves something to be desired, which also limits freeriding and inhibits pushing the freestyle when it’s ice biscuit landings.

But take what you can get as a saying goes out here, Only the Strong Survive. I suggest beating the crowds and busted up grooming by riding midweek before 2:00. The pipe is fresh and the corduroy still holding before it gets sun baked. With close proximity to NYC, it can get crowded on Holidays and weekends, but roll with the punches and play the game. Trust me if you’re rollin’ through New Jersey and stop by Mountain Creek on a good morning, you won’t go home disappointed. I still wouldn’t make it a destination trip, but if you’re passing trough, stop by and I’ll take a run with you . . . I’ll be the one getting broke off on the up-box.

For more details check out:
www.mountaincreek.com

Thanks to Chad Bareither who wrotes taht article for funnyhills.com