you ever dream about having your own half pipe? what about one at 12K and with a foam pit? and then when you're board and feel like changing it up a bit with some pow; you can just hop on your heli or sled and head over the hill to silverton. well word is at least shawn white's dreams do come true for about 500k...
Red Bull built Shaun White and friends their own private halfpipe on the backside of Silverton Mountain, in the valley below Storm Peak.
Shaun's Secret Pipe
Yes, Red Bull built Shaun White a $500,000 private halfpipe
February 18, 2009, 4:47 PM
By: Tracy Anderson
It's been a rumor circulating for some time now, but as you can see here, it's no rumor: Red Bull has built Shaun White his own private pipe on the backside of Silverton Mountain, Colorado. Visible from the ski area, Snow Cats and Pipe Augers were hauled into the secluded backcountry area to construct the official sized pipe. Estimated cost? 500k. Word has it they built a foam pit off one of the walls, to give Shaun and friends the chance to try any trick they can dream up.
Crazy?
Sitting at a 12,300 foot elevation, it's the highest pipe ever built. And with an unlimited amount of fresh pow to shape the pipe, just imagine the the edge hold going up those walls.
As you can see from the photo, the pipe sits in the valley, in a potentially dangerous avy zone. So that has to be controlled as well. And that ain't cheap. Not to mention access is only by helicopter or snowmobile.
Ballin...
Via the Denver Post.
link to the story on the espn site:
http://espn.go.com/action/snowboarding/blog?post=3916704looks like to me that the avy zone would make it pretty sketch. in the article's comment section, posts ranged from people claiming they have seen it after visiting silverton to people claiming it's a bunch of bs. in any case, it's a cool story. just have to wait for some video evidence.
edit: i was looking forward to a spirited debate on if this exists or not, but an update to the original denver post article took all the fun away and confirmed the pipe's existence... wow... i was doubting! now, he just needs to get a reality show a la rob dyrdek or nitro circus.
New private pipe for Shaun White @ Silverton?
by Jason Blevins on February 12, 2009
Denver Post
So there were rumors galore during X about how Red Bull had dropped a half a mil on a private superpipe for Shaun White. A secret pipe, tucked into some backcountry haven.
Then someone drops this email in my box today. That’s Velocity Basin, next to Silverton ski area.
White’s Wikipedia page notes that Red Bull began construction this month.
Hoax? Interwebz pranksters? Seems a little off, but then never put it past Red Bull to go off. And they certainly adore Shaun. As well they should. Like him or not - and really, there’s very little to dislike about him personally. He’s a cool cat - he is the most blatantly ripping snowboarder in the pipe.
Still, a pipe at the bottom of what, eight avalanche paths? $500k at Silverton? I’m calling Bee Ess. Pretty nice hoax tho.
UPDATE:
OK, I’ve fired up the BBQ. Anyone know any good recipes for crow? That Superpipe - built by Red Bull with an assist from Oakley - is legit and I’m a surprised bonehead. Word is White’s been in Silverton riding the heli and actually getting into some steep pow. Pipe was finished this week and it’s not just White’s pipe but a private playground for all kinds of Red Bulled and Oakley-gogg’d rippers. Sorry I was such a doubter.
Update Two: Matt Lanning, a local Silverton ripper, took the shot. Check out Matt’s cool website, Basecamp Silverton Thanks Matt, and again, sorry to have doubted.
link to article:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2009/02/12/new-private-pipe-for-shaun-white-silverton/
by SurfnSnowboard » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:48 pm 
Now I lost all desire to make my Cornish hen.
