The Katal Landing Pad is the next-generation safety device that allows skiers and snowboarders to
try out challenging maneuvers
Measuring 50 feet wide by 90 feet long, the 5-foot-thick pad covers
the entire surface area of a jump after the takeoff,
allowing users to attempt new tricks without the consequences of
crashing on an icy landing. Unlike traditional foam pits used for
jumping, the Katal Landing Pad allows users to simulate more closely an
actual jump landing.
The multi-chambered inflatable structure, featuring a patented
air-release mechanism, was conceptualized by Aaron Coret in 2005 after
he broke his neck in a snowboarding accident and was left a
quadriplegic. Coret teamed up with best friend and fellow engineer
Steve Slen to build the pad as a way to allow
skiers and snowboarders to progress in a safe environment.