Or in the halfpipe...will the pipe wall just keep getting bigger and bigger so people can go higher and flip around more times, subjecting the athlete to worse impact?
Doubtful in general, but possible with special Red Bull insanity constructions. Like they do at Buttermilk sometimes after the Xgames.
Half pipes are lucky to even survive in general. There’s very few since they require so much snowmaking and grooming to make. Like 2-3weeks of grooming and excavating, plus nearly 1 million gallons of water. A true superpipe might take 6 million gallons for snow making.
It can be a tough choice as many people complain.
Okemo has had one for probably 25 years. There was maybe a couple years where we had an alleged superpipe. That’s what they advertised, but I’ve been told it was actually only 20ft instead of 22. Dropping in from the top of that is definitely scary. Dropping in tips going straight down from the top is another level of scary.
I doubt the last few years it’s been over 16ft, mainly because of lousy weather. The thing is, if you’re not getting out of the lip, or doing tricks, the half pipe is probably the safest of all park features. Probably even compared moguls. I used to take anyone competent to make it down that terrain when it wasn’t crowded. Vail has pretty much ended that and it’s dumb.
It’s very self limiting. People have this idea they’re suddenly going to be launched out like Simon Dumont, but that’s just not going to happen. I would say small half pipes like 5-6ft can be more dangerous for the casual user since it’s so easy to get out.