It’s hard to imagine a pile of snow, let alone 10 tons of snow on a 70 degree September day in Summit County, Colorado, but the first rail jam of the season kicked off at Keystone Resort with just that. The Keystone park crew built three rideable features for local skiers and snowboarders to have a jam session to kick off the upcoming season.
It was an easy decision to take a break from unpacking and organizing and head to Keystone to check out the event. Just a 5 minute walk through the base to get to the rail jam packed with people watching the action. At the base, spectators could watch the rail jam, get goodies from the sponsor tents and watch the downhill mountain bikers come rushing through.
I arrived just in time to watch the end of the preliminary rounds and watch the women’s and men’s finals. The awards at the end offered up a handful of prizes like a seasons pass, GoPro and outerwear.
Today’s setup was two down rails (one with a donkey dick) with a stairset and a pole jam. There was enough snow to drop in, hit the features and then hopefully land back in the snow. Barrels of hay lined the snow in case momentum carried the competitors past the snow.
While sitting near the rail jam, I got to watch some pretty good crashes on the snow and the occasional mountain biker crash on the trail. Definitely action-packed for the afternoon.
The best part of today was getting back in a winter state of mind, seeing the passion and dedication that rail riders have and being able to hang out with part of the team I’ll be working with at Keystone. Now just waiting on the snow!
Jessica
September 16, 2012 at 5:40 amThat looked fun! I almost took a detour off my road trip to AK to go check this out since I was driving by there… I am kicking myself in the ass for not checking it out now!
Doug
September 16, 2012 at 8:44 amGreat review! I’m really looking forward to following your adventures in your new home. I am really hoping to get to CO this year. Just moved to the South from the Northeast, so there will be some traveling in my future for sure!
Gregg
September 16, 2012 at 2:39 pmI didn’t realize you were in Keystone already or I would have said hi! Super fun event: great photos.
Shay
September 16, 2012 at 5:38 pmAh funny you were driving by Jessica! It would have been a good pit stop.
Shay
September 16, 2012 at 5:43 pmThanks Doug! Hope you make it out to CO this year! Summit County was my second home when I lived in Steamboat so it’s good to return.
Shay
September 16, 2012 at 5:43 pmIn the area but was still unpacking so I only made it for the finals competition. Glad the rest of the team got to meet you!
Gregg
September 17, 2012 at 6:44 amAh, that would explain it, we actually hit the road before the finals. Hope the move went well, good luck getting settled in.
Fotiphoto
September 18, 2012 at 6:58 pmI had a great time at this event! I happen to be in a few of these shots! Photobomb! with a camera!
I have a great sequence of a frontside to backside board slide to a 180 out. Im thinking making a gif of it!