Tux's "Blue Run“ Halfpipe: New, Round Design for Maximum Freestyle Fun

Austria

18/March/2026

The halfpipe has existed almost as long as snowboarding itself. With the Fun Pipe, a new design is now emerging with a clear goal: to make the halfpipe more accessible and attractive again for a broader community. The pilot project will launch in May at Hintertux Glacier. There, the existing halfpipe in the Betterpark Hintertux will be converted into a Fun Pipe, marking the first use of the newly developed 13-feet Pipe Designer by Zaugg.

The Idea Behind the Fun Pipe: The Fun Pipe is the “blue run” of halfpipe - accessible and safe for riders while also being maintenance-friendly for resorts. Its dimensions are deliberately moderate compared to a superpipe: the Fun Pipe is around 120 meters long, with 3.5-meter-high walls and a 14% inclination. The new rounded bottom creates smoother flow while riding, similar to the feeling of surfing waves. The lower walls and curved base make riding safer and allow beginners to build confidence quickly. At the same time, there is still plenty of space for creativity and progression - meaning even professional riders will have fun here. The Fun Pipe is open to everyone: snowboarders and skiers, beginners and advanced riders, regardless of age.

More Than Just a Pipe: The Fun Pipe is not just another park feature. It aims to create a place where the original culture of the sport can thrive again: riding together, pushing and supporting each other, and simply enjoying movement. It’s a step back to the roots of the sport, while also offering a modern interpretation of the halfpipe. The project was initiated by Stefan Plattner (MTNpool / Rock A Rail), who is known worldwide for his innovative halfpipes and street-style setups. “My vision is clear: simplify the construction and maintenance of mini-pipes for resort operators while making them more accessible for riders, sparking new enthusiasm for halfpipe riding and eventually bringing more Fun Pipes to resorts around the world.” Alongside Hintertux Glacier, PistenBully and Zaugg are partners in the 2026 pilot project.

Fun Pipe Hintertux Glacier - May 2026: The Betterpark Hintertux is a key destination for freestylers in spring. The park will reopen on 18 April. Throughout May, the new Fun Pipe will be in operation for the first time at Betterpark Hintertux and will be open to everyone. The Fun Pipe Camps, featuring the Opening Weekend (1–3 May) and the Closing Weekend (23–25 May), held under the patronage of Nitro Snowboards, will bring together the community and anyone interested in the project. To wrap up the season, visitors can expect coaching sessions, shared riding sessions, and various activations, including appearances by well-known figures from the scene. A highlight will be the Fun Pipe Games, featuring fun competitions in the pipe for all generations.

When the Pipe Was the Heart of the Scene: In the early years of snowboarding, the halfpipe was much more than just a discipline - it was the premier discipline and the heart of the scene. The halfpipe served as the social hub of the community.

From Scene Meeting Point to Professional Arena: It remains the premier discipline today. However, over time, halfpipes naturally became bigger, more technical, and more exclusive, while new freestyle disciplines emerged. Today, only a small number of superpipes exist worldwide, used primarily by professional riders. Although these facilities are technically open to everyone, they are difficult for many riders to master. In addition, many regions lack pipes altogether. As a result, many freestyle riders have few opportunities to learn or regularly ride halfpipes.

The Fun Pipe aims to bring halfpipe riding closer again to the broader freestyle community - with maximum riding fun.