The sixth annual Rayz Rail Jam will take over the parking lot at the Bulkley Valley Pool this Saturday. Registration starts at 3 p.m., with the competition beginning at 5 p.m. New for this year is a 9 and under age group, along with 10 to 13, 14 to 17 and 18+ categories.
“It’s really grown in popularity,” said organizer and Rayz owner Jason Krauskopf. “It’s one of the biggest winter events around.”
Last year a few hundred spectators came out to watch the action, many of them people that normally would stay away from the Rayz Rail Park on Hudson Bay Mountain.“It’s a way to bring what we’re doing up on the hill down into the town,” said Krauskopf.
The contest involves skiers and snowboarders using built features to perform tricks and impress the judges, who rate each athlete on complexity, consistency and style.
“It’s like a form of art. How you put your run together is a way of expressing yourself,” said Krauskopf.The Rail Jam will be run in a jam format, with no waiting in between riders and skiers. There will also be food and burn barrels to keep spectators warm.
Meanwhile, on Hudson Bay Mountain, Rayz, Camp of Champions and the Bulkley Valley Credit Union are bringing in a giant airbag for the weekend. For an extra $20 on top of a lift ticket, young and old rippers can launch themselves off a giant kicker without the normal consequences.
Krauskopf tried out the airbag at the Camp of Champions in Whistler last summer, and decided he had to give northern B.C. skiers and snowboarders the chance to try it out.
“It’s a training tool that’s never been available before,” he said. “It’s the first time anything like this has been brought up here.”
The air bag sessions will run all day Saturday and Sunday.