Wachusett Ski Area to host big-time snowboarding event
December 2004 -
This month, take a break from shoveling your walk and head out to Wachusett Mountain for a fun and exciting way to enjoy winter in New England. On December 18, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area will host one of the biggest snowboarding events to ever hit the region. The East Coast Invitational Rail Jam will showcase some of the best snowboarders around, offering one of the largest purses ever for the winner of the competition.
“We have wanted to do something like this for a number of years — to host a world-class snowboard event at Wachusett,” says David Crowley, one of the owners and general manager of Wachusett.
Snowboarding is the fastest growing sport in the world. Ever since the sport’s debut in the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the sport has exploded. According to American Sports Data, Inc, snowboarding participation has increased 44 percent since the mid-1990s and now boasts over 7.2 million participants. More and more, people are beginning to enjoy the unique aspects of the sport.
“It’s a different kind of competition,” says Crowley. “Snowboarding is a unique blend of competition and artistry. It’s hard to understand this culture. The kind of atmosphere the riders bring with their sport is something very special.”
One of the unusual things about this event will be that the riders will judge themselves in the competition.
“One of the hardest things for an event venue is trying to find judges to officiate the event,” says Crowley. He adds that this event will also eliminate the problem of choosing judges who are clueless about the sport and it’s exact rules. “There is a certain respect between the peers in this sport. They know who the best is. It’s alpha male — everyone backs away when someone does well.”
Wachusett is expecting to have some top prospects in the competition. The Rail Jam will be the only New England qualifier for the prestigious Honda Sessions in Vail, Colorado and will fall in the time frame of when most of the riders are home for the holidays. Wachusett will also be offering an unusual grand prize of $12,500. Crowley says that the going rate is around $10,000 for the average competition, but thanks to Salomon Snowboards, co-sponsors of the event, Wachusett will be able to offer more.
The ski area’s staff started construction on the rails in October and are working straight through until the event. They have even started to make snow, but with early winter storms and cool temperatures in November, hopefully coverage won’t be a problem.
Wachusett Mountain is no stranger to running large events. It has hosted professional ski racing and other events, but this is the largest event since 1999. Crowley says that this will be a different kind of happening, with live music and activities for all spectators. In addition to the day-long snowboard celebration, there will be demos, music, DJs and a mountainside party.
“It will be exciting to watch, to participate in and to cheer for,” he says. “It will be a fun way to kick off the season.”
The Rail Jam will be open to everyone. The qualifying round will take place on December 17. The event will cap off a busy weekend for Wachusett, who also will host the 10th anniversary of the Wachusett Brewery on December 16. For more information, go to www.wachusett.com.