Inside AP: The Technology Behind AbsolutPark
The Technology Behind AbsolutPark
Lifts, Snow Groomers, Shaping and Snowmaking – What Goes Into a Snowpark
Reading time: 3 minutes (approx. 180 sec.) | Flachauwinkl, Salzburg
More than 100 obstacles across 1.5 kilometres of park terrain don’t build themselves. Behind the daily operation of AbsolutPark is a combination of high-performance infrastructure, specialised snowpark machinery and an experienced team. From its dedicated chairlift and purpose-built PistenBully snow groomers to snowmaking and daily shaping, the technical setup plays a key role in how the snowpark is built, maintained and developed throughout the season.
1
Dedicated Park Lift:
Absolut Shuttle
3
PistenBully ParkPro machines
20+
Snowmaking machines at AbsolutPark
17
11 Shapers & 6 Groomers at AbsolutPark
The Absolut Shuttle
Dedicated Park Chairlift
The Absolut Shuttle is AbsolutPark’s dedicated park chairlift, providing direct access to the different park lines. The detachable six-seater chairlift takes riders from the ChillHouse directly to the upper section of the park, making it ideally suited to the demands of daily snowpark operations.
Manufactured by Doppelmayr, the lift was built in 2006 and covers a distance of approximately 1.025 metres with a vertical rise of 273 metres. With a operating speed of 5,0 m/s and a maximum capacity of 2.400 people per hour, the Absolut Shuttle is designed to transport riders efficiently. A total of 51 chairs circulate on the lift, each accommodating six passengers.
Direct lift access is particularly important for a snowpark. Short distances between runs and the next lift ride mean more laps and more time spent riding the features.
Key Facts
Lift name: Absolut Shuttle
Lift manufacturer: Doppelmayr
Year of construction: 2006
Lift type: 6-CLD/B (detachable six-seater chairlift with weather protection bubbles)
Operating speed: 5,0 m/s
Maximum capacity: 2.400 Persons/h
Number of chairs: 51
Drive system: Top station - Doppelmayr Direct Drive (DDD)
Bottom station altitude: 1.645 m
Top station altitude: 1.918 m
Vertical rise: 273 m
The Fleet
PistenBully machines for snowpark construction
A total of 10 Kässbohrer snow groomers operate across Shuttleberg Flachauwinkl-Kleinarl. 3 are specifically dedicated to AbsolutPark.
The park fleet includes:
2 × PistenBully 400 ParkPro
1 × PistenBully 600 Polar ParkPro Winch (special edition)
1 × Zaugg Pipedesigner 13 ft
1 × Kässbohrer Pipe Magician
The ParkPro models differ from conventional snow groomers primarily through their specialised equipment for snowpark construction. The PistenBully 400 ParkPro was specifically developed for building and maintaining snowparks. ParkPro-specific attachments, such as the ProBlade and ProFlex tiller, allow the crew to shape and reshape jumps, jibs, pipes and other park features.
The PistenBully 600 Polar ParkPro Winch is used for more demanding tasks, including shaping landings on features such as the Pro Line. With 520 hp, this larger model was also specifically designed for the construction and maintenance of large snowparks. The ProBlade, ProFlex tiller and ProMount quick-change system enable the crew to carry out a range of shaping tasks across different park features.
When working on large jumps and complex shapes, precise snow distribution, accurate contours and consistent shapes are essential. Specialised ParkPro equipment gives the crew greater flexibility and control than conventional snow-grooming setups.
Specialised Machines for Specialised Shapes
Shaping a halfpipe requires a different approach than grooming a conventional piste or shaping a snowpark feature. The transitions, walls and radius need to be shaped and maintained as consistently as possible along the entire length of the pipe.
AbsolutPark uses specialised pipe-shaping machines for this work. The Zaugg Pipedesigner 13 ft and the Kässbohrer Pipe Magician are purpose-built to shape and maintain halfpipes.
A halfpipe is not simply built once and left as it is. Snow conditions, weather and daily riding gradually affect its surface. Regular reshaping is therefore an essential part of snowpark operations.
Markus Deutinger
Technical data - Engine
400 ParkPro
- Type: Cummins L 9
- Number of cylinders: 6
- Displacement: 8.900 cm3
- Power in accordance ECE: 320 kW / 435 HP
- Max. torque: 1.846 Nm @ 1.500 rpm
600 Polar ParkPro
- Type: Cummins X 12
- Number of cylinders: 6
- Displacement: 11.800 cm3
- Power in accordance ECE: 382 kW / 520 HP
- Max. torque: 2.375 Nm @ 1.200 rpm
Snowmaking
The Foundation of Snowpark Operations
Before any obstacle can be shaped, there needs to be enough snow. Across Shuttleberg Flachauwinkl-Kleinarl, more than 200 snowmaking machines are available, with around 20 dedicated to the AbsolutPark area.
Snowmaking plays a particularly important role when building the park at the start of the season and when weather conditions change. The snow produced can be distributed strategically wherever additional snow is needed to build or maintain park features.
For a snowpark, it is not just the amount of snow that matters. Its distribution and how it is shaped afterwards are equally important. The combination of snowmaking, snow groomers and the shape crew is what brings the park’s obstacles and lines to life.
Rauscher Photography
Key Facts
Water: 70 % from 3 snowmaking reservoirs
Reservoirs: 100 % meltwater
Streams: 30 % sourced from streams at Shuttleberg under strict hydroecological requirements
Snowmaking: Efficient use of water and energy
Cooling systems: Atmospheric cooling systems with no artificial refrigerants
Electricity: 100% green electricity (Salzburg AG)
Snowmaking equipment manufacturers:
- DemacLenko – South Tyrol, Italy
- TechnoAlpin – South Tyrol, Italy
- Bächler – Emmenbrücke, Switzerland
- Supersnow – Maniowy, Poland
The Shape Crew
17 Shaper & Groomer
Technology alone doesn’t make a snowpark work. At AbsolutPark, a team of 17 shapers and groomers works every day to maintain and develop the different park areas.
Their work goes beyond standard piste grooming. Depending on the area, tasks include distributing snow, shaping take-offs and landings, maintaining transitions, reshaping features and working on the halfpipe.
The machines provide the technical capabilities, but experience, a trained eye and close teamwork are what make the difference in the final shape of each feature.
Technology Meets Freestyle
A snowpark like AbsolutPark is much more than a collection of rails, boxes and jumps. Every feature is backed by planning, snow management, specialised machinery and daily hands-on work.
The Absolut Shuttle provides quick access to the park, the specialised PistenBully ParkPro snow groomers handle much of the construction and maintenance, the pipe-shaping machines enable precise halfpipe shaping, and the 17-person Shape Crew turns these technical capabilities into a fully functioning snowpark.
All of this creates the foundation for what matters most in the park: more great runs, creative lines and consistently rideable sessions.
Facts at a Glance
- Lift: Absolut Shuttle – six-seater chairlift
- PistenBully machines at Shuttleberg: 10
- PistenBully machines at AbsolutPark: 3
- Pipe-shaping machines: Zaugg Pipedesigner 13 ft & Kässbohrer Pipe Magician
- Shape Crew: 17 Shapers & Groomers
- Snowmaking machines at Shuttleberg: More than 200
- Snowmaking machines at AbsolutPark: Around 20
Information current as of: Winter season 2026/27
Sources: AbsolutPark / AbsolutPark Media Crew; Shuttleberg / Operations Manager, PistenBully
Last updated: 13 October 2026
Markus Deutinger, Daniel Maurer, Markus Fischer, Rauscher Photography, PistenBully
FAQ
What equipment is used to build and maintain AbsolutPark?
AbsolutPark uses specialised PistenBully ParkPro snow groomers, pipe-shaping machines and other snowpark shaping equipment. Three of the ten snow groomers operating across Shuttleberg are dedicated to AbsolutPark.
Which snow groomers are used at AbsolutPark?
The AbsolutPark fleet includes two PistenBully 400 Polar ParkPro Solo snow groomers and one PistenBully 600 Polar ParkPro Winch. These machines are specially equipped for snowpark construction and maintenance.
How is the halfpipe at AbsolutPark shaped?
Specialised machines are used to shape and maintain the halfpipe: a Zaugg Pipedesigner 13 ft and a Kässbohrer Pipe Magician. They allow the crew to precisely shape and maintain the pipe’s walls and transitions.
How many shapers work at AbsolutPark?
The team consists of 17 shapers and groomers. Their work includes snow distribution, maintaining park areas, shaping jumps and landings, maintaining transitions and regularly reshaping features.
How does snowmaking work at AbsolutPark?
Snow production relies on the efficient interaction of water, air, pressure and temperature. This helps make the most efficient use of the available water for snow production.
Where does the water for snowmaking come from?
Around 70% of the water used for snowmaking comes from three reservoirs filled exclusively with meltwater. The remaining 30% is drawn directly from streams at Shuttleberg under strict hydroecological requirements.
How does AbsolutPark save energy during snowmaking?
One key factor is optimising the balance of water, air, pressure and temperature at the snowmaking machines. Atmospheric cooling systems that require very little energy and use no artificial refrigerants also help reduce energy consumption.
How do you get to AbsolutPark by lift?
The Absolut Shuttle is AbsolutPark’s dedicated park chairlift. This detachable six-seater chairlift operates at speeds of up to 5 m/s and has a maximum transport capacity of 2.400 passengers per hour.
Why is a dedicated lift important for a snowpark?
Direct lift access makes it quick and easy to repeat runs. Riders can lap different lines and features in a short amount of time and make the most of their sessions.
What makes AbsolutPark’s technical setup special?
AbsolutPark combines a dedicated park chairlift, specialised snowpark machinery, pipe-shaping equipment, a dedicated shaping team and its own snowmaking infrastructure. Together, these resources support the ongoing construction, maintenance and development of the snowpark throughout the season.
Plan your trip!
Plan your stay at AbsolutPark Flachauwinkl conveniently online. Find accommodation in the region, reserve your equipment through Rent Your Ride, and book suitable lessons at our snowboard and ski school. All available options are clearly organised in one place, making it quick and easy to plan your trip to AbsolutPark.
Inside AP: Rail Line & Halfpipe
The Rail Line at AbsolutPark offers a diverse selection of rails and features for experienced snowboarders and freeskiers. A variety of obstacles provides plenty of opportunities for technical tricks, creative combinations and individual lines.