In Australia, let alone Geelong, we’re not blessed with the year round snow season like in certain winter wonderland countries overseas. But hold that though for a second, as there is now an option to snowboard and ski year round with the opening of PowderPak Parks in Geelong. We had a chat with Trent Haverkamp about what to expect.
Hey Trent, thanks for taking the time to chat with us, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
Ahoy there, I’m doing quite rad thanks. Right now I’m at the ‘snow park’ watching some guys get their gnar on and I’m considering strapping on the boots for a slide and throwing down a few of my own old man hammers. It’s one of the perks of having my own year round facility I can board in!!
First off, are you a big snowboarder? How long have you been doing it for?
I’m a passionate snowboarder and have been doing it for many many moons now. Sadly those moons haven’t really shined down any magical super pro skill beams onto me, but having access to my own PowderPak park has definitely improved and re-kindled my love for park riding though and I plan on continuing to ride for as long as I’m physically possible.
And what made you want to open such a thing as PowderPak Parks in Geelong?
I had visited the other PowderPak Park and thought f@#k it’s such a good idea, I wish there was one closer to Geelong where I could board whenever I wanted. Then it just so happened an opportunity arose to open one here and I thought If I felt that way about the park, I’m sure the other boarders and skiers in the area would too. So I decided to take a punt and quit the desk job to spend the next part of my life constantly in snowboard boots in a warehouse.
Obviously the atmosphere of snowboarding/skiing in a warehouse would be different, but how does the actual surface compare to the real deal?
Without having to turn the warehouse into a giant freezer, PowderPak is arguably the next best thing to actual snow and it’s mostly dry. You warm up quickly and can board or ski in shorts and T-shirt and because it’s indoor you can do it anytime of the year in any weather. PowderPak is now used under all the lift load points in Australian ski resorts, so if the purveyors of the real thing think it’s good enough to use, then I can’t think of a better thumbs up for the surface. We have a sound system blasting tunes and a big ol’ TV to watch the latest snow vids on for a little extra stoke should one require it. You soon forget you’re in a North Geelong warehouse once you start riding, you’re having so much fun or concentrating on progressing your skill set.
And does the layout and surface allow you to do the same kind of tricks you’d do on the slopes?
Yes and more!! Because all the features in the park are moveable, you can change them in seconds and build up combinations of features that you couldn’t/wouldn’t be allowed to do up on the hill. Plus the quick and repetitive nature of riding a PowderPak Park means you can learn tricks a lot quicker than up at the resorts.
Given you’ve been open for a while, what sort of people have been using it and what have they been using it for (training, for fun etc)?
I’ve had first timers who have never stood on a snowboard before all the way through to pro riders coming in to use the park. Mostly it has been for fun but I have had a few riders come in and get in a little sneaky practice before some rail jam competitions. But really whenever you’re strapped in, training or not, you’re having fun!!
Would you recommend those wanting to learn how to snowboard to head down to PowderPak Parks?
Yes but you need to keep in mind that it’s predominately a park setup and due to size restraints I can’t replicate a whole run on a mountain, so learning to turn is a little more difficult BUT you can definitely get your head and body in the right place for standing and sliding sideways – which is the primary part of snowboarding. Plus you can get a head start on your park skills in a cheaper, easier, and more repetitive nature with no intimidation that parks on the hills can sometimes sadly come with.
What’s your advice for first timers at the venue?
Come in with an open mind to learn and be ready for fun!! We have some hire gear should you need it. And remember, unlike the mountains, you can board or ski here any time of the year and any weather!!
Thanks again for the chat, any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers?
Don’t eat yellow snow, be it the real stuff or PowderPak, EVER!!!
Where: 85 Douro St, Geelong
When: Wed-Fri 4-9pm; Sat-Sun 10.30am-6pm
Site: www.pppgeelong.com.au
Number: 03 5277 0320