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On Hill Air Bag in Utica!

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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
Hey guys, exciting news. Val Bialas Sports Center in Utica, NY (aka, the Parkway) is getting an on hill air bag in a few weeks. Come and check it out and try out all of those crazy aerials you've been dying to throw.

It's a smaller hill in the middle of the city, but they've been putting in lots of time, money and effort into expanding it into a credible ski area. Tickets are $17 for use of just the park which actually is shaping up to be pretty decent in terms of size, quantity and quality of features. Probably worth it for the bag in my opinion.

Check it out here, http://utica.skibigval.com/

We're still waiting on the bag to ship in, I'll be sure to post again when it arrives.
Jan 4 2011 7:16PM
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SnowRidgeParks
Posts: 2146 - Karma: 88
WIld news for a central NY ski area! Stoked to hear it, this is what we like to see!
Jan 4 2011 9:24PM
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jfoley019
Posts: 929 - Karma: 95
no shit, that is pretty rad.  I haven't skied the parkway in like 15 years. 
Jan 6 2011 8:57AM
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That_Afterbang=]
Posts: 140 - Karma: 10
Would you guys think that it would be worth a 3 hour drive? My home mountain is HV.
Jan 24 2011 5:13PM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4685 - Karma: 3,407
i would also be interested in this. im from a similar area, probably a bit farther though
Jan 24 2011 8:41PM
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That_Afterbang=]
Posts: 140 - Karma: 10
I looked at the actual resort and there is one lift and 3 runs. This air bag has to be sooo crowded.
Jan 24 2011 9:24PM
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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
Well, its not a resort, rather a recently revived ski hill in the middle of the city. Utica is a pretty poor city and this is their last shot at getting this ski hill off the ground and making profits again.

I was at a competition that was held by our local board shop and there was less than 50 people there, including the 15-20 that were staff from the board shop. From previous times riding there, there is no reason why you should even have to wait in line for more than 3 kids on the bag.

It will all come down to another update for all of you guys once the bag does come in, hopefully within 3 weeks. I'll let you know whether of not coming out is a good idea.
Jan 25 2011 4:44PM
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That_Afterbang=]
Posts: 140 - Karma: 10
word. thanks for the reply.
Jan 26 2011 10:58AM
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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
UPDATE:

The air bag was passing through customs in China on the 25th of January, they hope to have it by this upcoming Saturday. I'm looking into this and will let you know how it turns out
Feb 7 2011 12:25PM
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Deluge
Posts: 4398 - Karma: 767
I want to hit this!
Feb 8 2011 7:29PM
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jas665
Posts: 77 - Karma: 42
any recent update on this?? i'm so stoked to hit this thing keep us posted. i've never been to val bialas but as long as you guys have a solid jump for it and keep the park fresh you're gona get major central ny business
Feb 13 2011 6:04PM
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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
Alright. I went today for a slope style competition, they gave me some unfortunate news.

I asked the owner (I just learned its a private business this weekend, too) about the airbag being "Stuck in customs."

He replied to me with a "Well, the bag has been paid for and it's in customs. They want an extra $650 and we're not sure who's going to pay for it."

I guess they're disputing with the company they bought it from who to cover the customs tax. He then told me that they're going to have it settled this week and are hoping to have it (hopefully) for this spring.

So...its going to be a while :/
Feb 13 2011 8:53PM
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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
UPDATE: Good news! Here is a post from the Park Manager's Facebook page.

Ryan Rys
Air bag comes in Monday cannot wait to try some stupid stuff on my snowboard

So, if its coming in this Monday, they'll have it set up by next weekend. I know they've been blowing snow lately, but the weather may not let them stay open much longer because they have a terrible base. I'm not sure as to how many weekends they will be able to stay open, so I'll keep you posted on this frequently.

I'll have to check with Ryan to see when it will be available to hit and then I'll post back here
Mar 2 2011 4:23PM
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jas665
Posts: 77 - Karma: 42
word. super stoked
Mar 3 2011 1:28PM
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