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[Kicking Horse]

Denver - Forget snow. Forget the mountains. The most thrilling snowboard ride in Colorado is coming to downtown Denver at Six Flags Elitch Gardens.

In May 2004, Halfpipe becomes the newest addition to the collection of coasters and rides at Six Flags Elitch Gardens. Guests can spin countless 360s on a gigantic snowboard on their way to the rim of a 10-story tall halfpipe. And there's no need for snow!

Like the snow-covered halfpipes on mountain slopes, the Halfpipe at Six Flags Elitch Gardens promises to provide the same thrill and excitement of extreme winter adventures -- but without the cold temperatures. Resting securely on the Halfpipe coaster track is a 39-by-10-foot-long snowboard on which there are two separate, freely-rotating circular cars. Each car carries eight riders facing outward, and spins on its axis as the board carves its way up and down the enormous 230-foot long, 100-foot high halfpipe. The Halfpipe is absolutely the only ride of its kind in North America.

"You don't need snow to snowboard in Denver anymore," said Tara Tongco, Six Flags Elitch Gardens spokesperson. "Now you can board right in the middle of downtown Denver, on the tallest halfpipe around, with 16 of your wildest, bravest friends. The Halfpipe is the perfect addition to Six Flags Elitch Gardens. It's a tribute to the thrill of extreme snow sports and an outrageous experience that can't be found anywhere else in the country."

The Halfpipe will reside in the south end of the park, near the Boomerang coaster. Those who want to keep up with the weekly progress of ride construction can visit the Six Flags Elitch Gardens web site at www.sixflags.com/parks/elitchgardens. Photos and updates will be posted as the Halfpipe is constructed.

And with a 2004 season pass, thrill-seekers can ride the Halfpipe as much as they desire. Season passes are now on sale for the lowest price of the season at Front Range King Soopers stores or online at sixflags.com. New for 2004 -- Season pass holders can purchase season pass parking for $20!

"Last year we heard many Guests say to us that they wished we had season parking," Tongco said. "We listened. Now you can buy a season parking pass and visit as many times as you want, for one low price."

Six Flags Elitch Gardens opens for the 2004 season with weekend operation beginning April 24. Daily summer operations begin May 18. Six Flags Elitch Gardens is located in downtown Denver off I-25 at exit 212A. For more information on dates, prices, and hours of operation, visit sixflags.com or call (303) 595-4386.

About Six Flags, Inc.
SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. © 2004.

Photography by Daniel Schoppen.

Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company. Through its subsidiaries, it owns and operates a total of 39 parks in North America and Europe. Six Flags parks serve 35 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly held corporation with corporate offices in New York City and Oklahoma City. The Company's stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol: PKS.

Contact Info
Tara Tongco
Public Relations Manager
(303) 572-4522
ttongco@sftp.com

[Kicking Horse]

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[Kicking Horse]

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[KZ]

Very interesting. Whats the point? Its like the gian ships that go upside down, but probably a lot more expensive.

[hyak.net]

Speaking of snowboarding in the summer, it was snowing all day on Chinook Pass saturday. The roads were only slush when I drove over on my way to Yakima for the weekend. I think they ended up with around 5" new on top of aprox 8'-12' of snow. Still good boarding to do there if you like to hike.. On the way back there was still a few inches of the new stuff left with partly cloudy skies and some skiers/boarders on the slopes...

[KZ]

The sonora pass is still loaded with snow. There are some easy hikes right off the freeway. Also just east of yosemite at the tioga entrance, several bowls still have some good snow. Its out there, just requires some work.

[Kicking Horse]

idk what the point is. But once i renew my pass i'll ride it and get some more pics.

[liftmech]

My little brother has been skiing Chinook ever since it opened this spring- he said he's been up 4 or 5 times and has skiied both Naches and Yakima peaks.
Independence Pass (closer to home for me) isn't as good as it could be, but I'll take it. A-basin closes 13 June so I'll be heading up at least one more time for lift-served sliding.

[Kicking Horse]

I will be there on FRIDAY. :)

hope i don't get sick on it.....

[Kicking Horse]

Well the damn thing was closed all day. So i did not get to ride it. But it looks to be fun. I will be down there next week and i hope that i will get to ride it then. :)

[jibij]

You got my hopes up. I thought they installed a whole snowflex park at Elich Gardens. I wish I had a snowflex system at my place. I would be out there right now hiking the pipe. :)

[KZ]

Hey, there is still plenty of snow to be had, it just recquires some work. Ive got some good amounts only 3 hours away, just the family isnt really into hiking. The season is over only when you say it is becasue it can go very deep.

[Whistler]

...or you can go to Blackcomb and go skiing until late august (t-bars are open through the summer)

[KZ]

yea whatever. Thats pretty far for me

[Kicking Horse]

other then the brakes not releasing or applying it's a fun ride :)

[floridaskier]

That really sucks. It seems like things in Colorado break down alot more than they ever do here

[Kicking Horse]

it's a new ride. so i would expect some problems with it.

[Kicking Horse]

Well hopey they have allt eh bugs worked out of it now. I'm going down again today. I hope i will remember to grab my cam

[Kicking Horse]

it was closed yesterday due to NO BRAKES and something with the motor.

[poloxskier]

If A Basin gets another good snow year like they did a number of years back they could stay open through the summer. They stayed open until August 17. I skied the day before I had to go back to school then skied there about a month and a half later and that was before they installed snowmaking!

The half pipe ride was only the second installed worldwide so they were bound to have some problems. Six flags also claims to have more maintnance in Denver because of the cold winters and hot summers.