# Superpipe > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Superpipe > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Superpipe.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpipe > Source revision: 1354665085 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Halfpipe structure used in acrobatic sports Side view of a snowpipe Front view of a Snowpipe A **superpipe** is a large [halfpipe](/source/Halfpipe) structure used in [extreme sports](/source/Extreme_sports) such as [snowboarding](/source/Snowboarding), [freestyle skiing](/source/Freestyle_skiing), [skateboarding](/source/Skateboarding), [scooters](/source/Kick_scooter), freestyle [BMX](/source/BMX) and [vert skating](/source/Vert_skating). ## Overview For [winter sports](/source/Winter_sports), the term *superpipe* is used to describe a [halfpipe](/source/Halfpipe) built of snow which has walls 22 ft (6.7 m) high from the flat bottom on both sides. Other features of a superpipe are that the width of the pipe is greater than the height of the walls, and the walls extend to near vertical. In the [FIS](/source/International_Ski_Federation) snowboard world cup rules, the recommended width for 22 ft (6.7 m) walls is 64 ft (20 m).[1][2] The term *superpipe* has evolved over the years as the size of halfpipes has grown. Originally, 18 ft (5.5 m) halfpipes were known as *superpipes*, but during the early 2000s, major competition organizers listened to rider feedback and began constructing 22' halfpipes for competitions. These became known as *superpipes*, and the 18' halfpipes they replaced are now known as standard halfpipes. The 22' wall size has proved very popular with athletes. The length of a superpipe ranges from 400 ft (120 m) to 600 ft (180 m), depending on available terrain and construction funding. All halfpipes require extensive [grooming](/source/Snow_grooming) by specialized equipment. In contrast, a natural snow [halfpipe](/source/Halfpipe) can be cleaned by a normal snow groomer. Because of the high expense of constructing and maintaining them, there are not that many [halfpipes](/source/Halfpipes) in the world, and very few true superpipes. During the 2013–2014 northern-hemisphere winter, only fourteen 22' superpipes existed globally. While 22' superpipes are standard for all major competitions, many ski resorts have halfpipes ranging in size from 12 ft (3.7 m) to 18 ft (5.5 m). 18' is the most popular size globally for halfpipes. At the [1998 Olympics](/source/1998_Winter_Olympics) in [Nagano](/source/Nagano_(city)), Japan, [snowboarding made its debut](/source/Snowboarding_at_the_1998_Winter_Olympics) as an [Olympic event](/source/Snowboarding_at_the_Winter_Olympics) with halfpipe utilizing superpipes for competitions.[3] Halfpipe and [giant slalom](/source/Giant_slalom) served as the original two disciplines. At the [2014 Winter Games](/source/2014_Winter_Olympics), the [freestyle skiing program](/source/Freestyle_skiing_at_the_2014_Winter_Olympics) introduced [superpipe competitions](/source/Half-pipe_skiing) alongside [slopestyle](/source/Slopestyle).[4] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["What is a Superpipe? / SlopeQuest Winter Sports News"](http://www.slopequest.com/news/17.html). Slopequest.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Snowboard Resort Information Sheet 2008](http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/snowboard-resort-information-sheet_new-version-12.11.2008.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110526164117/http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/snowboard-resort-information-sheet_new-version-12.11.2008.pdf) May 26, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Olympic Snowboarding History: Origins, Records, Highlights and Best Moments"](https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/snowboarding-101-olympic-history). *www.nbcolympics.com*. July 14, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Holpuch, Amanda (February 18, 2014). ["American David Wise Wins Gold Medal in First Olympic Freestyle Skiing Event"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/18/american-david-wise-gold-olympic-freestyle-skiing). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved May 17, 2026. v t e Skiing and snowboarding History of skiing Glossary of skiing and snowboarding terms Nordic skiing Competitive Cross-country skiing Paralympic Ski jumping Ski flying Nordic combined Endurance Ski marathon Ski orienteering Ski touring Recreational Cross-country skiing Backcountry skiing Roller skiing Skijoring Alpine skiing Olympic disciplines Slalom Giant slalom Super-G Downhill Combined Other disciplines Extreme skiing Glade skiing Heliskiing Para-alpine skiing Speed skiing Other skiing Biathlon Indoor skiing Night skiing Ski archery Para biathlon Ski mountaineering Telemark skiing Freestyle skiing Aerial skiing Big air Freeriding Freeskiing Half-pipe skiing Mogul Ski ballet Ski cross Slopestyle Snowboarding Alpine Backcountry Big air Freeriding Freestyle Half-pipe Para snowboard Slopestyle Snowboard cross Snowboard racing Technique / learning Carved turn Jump turn Parallel turn Pivot turn Snowplough Stem christie Ski school Ski simulator Skate skiing Equipment Bindings Boots Helmet Monoski Poles Skins Skis List of ski brands Snowboard Pulk Airboard (sled) Bum slider Flexible Flyer Foam slider Saucer sled Toboggan Suit Wax Resort amenities Dry ski slope Half-pipe Superpipe Piste Ski area Ski tunnel Snow grooming Snowmaking Trail Ski lifts Aerial tramway Chairlift detachable Funicular Funifor Funitel Gondola lift bicable tricable Hybrid lift Surface lift Category:Skiing Category:Snowboarding This skateboarding-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Skateboarding-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3ASkateboarding-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Skateboarding-stub) This skiing-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Skiing-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3ASkiing-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Skiing-stub) This snowboarding-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Snowboarding-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3ASnowboarding-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Snowboarding-stub) This winter sports-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Wintersport-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3AWintersport-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Wintersport-stub) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Superpipe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpipe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpipe?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.