Courtesy Snow Park Technologies
The Snow Park Technologies crew battled a slew of challenges while filming Mountain Movers, but Thursday’s season finale is “Judgment Day.”
In the final episode of the Mountain Movers series, “Judgment Day,” the SPT crew is forced to split into two teams in an effort to build a progressive training venue for Oakley’s top athletes. SPT owner Chris Gunnarson lets go of the reigns and challenges the teams to create innovative setups at both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows in North Lake Tahoe.
The catch ... they can only use existing rail features from Alpine and Squaw’s parks, and they only have five days to design and complete the build before the Oakley athletes show up to ultimately decide which setup they prefer.
“Every single project we do as a company, we treat like a team effort, but on this particular project, because of the timing and the way we set it up, I truly have no idea what these guys are planning,” said Gunnarson. “For me to completely let go of the reigns is definitely hard. But, in a lot of ways, this is an important test to see how our crew can handle being totally on their own without me getting super involved.”
The Squaw Valley team — led by Chris Castaneda, Kurt Eppler and Tyrone Coyne — decides to build a massive jump, specifically geared to advance the pros’ skills and allow them to master the triple cork, one of the most progressive tricks in snowboarding. The crew working at Alpine Meadows – Corley Howard, Andrew Erath and Sean Picard – design an urban-style snowboard park with advanced features and obstacles that will offer athletes the flexibility to never ride the same line twice.
The Oakley team riders and Gunny himself will judge these custom builds, based on design innovation, progression and how well they help the riders train. With a tight deadline, weather issues and rising tensions between crew members, this fun idea proves to be no easy ride.
“Judgment Day” will air Thursday at 8 p.m. on The National Geographic Channel.