On Saturday, March 23, skiers and snowboarders turned out for the always popular and ever exciting Timbers Classic Rail Jam at Eldora Mountain for the eighth year in a row. Limited to 75 entrants, all ages and skill levels were welcome. The participants had an hour and a half to warm up on the course before the competition began at 11:30 a.m. The Red Bull DJ truck cranked tunes and free energy drinks were provided before and during the event.

Z-rails, A-frames, and down tubes were among the obstacles that contestants in the Youth Ski and Youth Snowboard divisions had to negotiate. Lip switches, front swaps, Japan grabs, and 270 outs were a few of the tricks performed.

In the Ski and Snowboard Open divisions, the stunts got gnarlier with bigger air. Men and women ran the course repeatedly, greasing the rails and laying down their best tricks. Allie Staffen was the only woman in the Ski class which, in the end, was good for first place and pair of Line skis.

A rake break got the course ready for the Elite Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard competitions.

Front swap 270s, hot dog cross walks, tame dog outs, and front flips were just some of the maneuvers seen. Skier Austin O’Melia, who placed second among Elites last year, ripped 630-ons with stratospheric air.

Two weeks prior, Lauren Gretz took first place and $500 home snowboarding at the Level 1 Ladies Rail Jam, also held at Eldora. This time around she won the Women’s Elite Snowboard division and a new Burton board.

An impressive assortment of skis, snowboards, and swag bags the likes of which may never have been seen before were awarded to the top three finishers in each category. One lucky recipient received a backpack with great prizes inside, including a pair of insulated snow boots.

Final Results

Youth Ski (Boys)

1st – Eamon Abby

2nd – Johan Telkamp

3rd – Flynn Osmundson

Youth Ski (Girls)

1st – Niamh Dedecker

2nd – Charlotte Etcheverry

Youth Snowboard (Boys)

1st– Bodie Fox

2nd – Dylan Brown

Youth Snowboard (Girls)

1st – Logan Hanley

Open Ski (Men)

1st – Ethan Abby

2nd – Zander Burnett

3rd – Lucas Steinberher

Open Ski (Women)

1st – Allie Staffen

Open Snowboard (Men)

1st – Iono Windell

2nd – Whitaker Ohde

3rd – Evan Hinsta

Elite Ski (Men)

1st – Evan Wischmeyer

2nd – Johan Telkamp

3rd – Austin O’Melia

Honorable Mention – Will Houskamp

Elite Snowboard (Men)

1st – Hunter Valentine

2nd – Cole Branter

3rd – Dimitri Moreno

Elite Snowboard (Women)

1st – Lauren Gretz