End of winter thrill seekers rode the rails at Eldora Mountain Resort during the 7th Annual Timbers Classic Rail Jam on Saturday, March 18.

A completely casual and fun competition held next to Timbers Lodge at Eldora’s base area. Registration was limited to 60 skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. The carefully laid out course presented steel rails of varying heights for contestants to choose from in accordance to their abilities. Categories included: Men’s and Women’s Youth (14 years old and younger) Ski or Snowboard, Men’s and Women’s Open Ski or Snowboard, and Men’s and Women’s Elite Ski or Snowboard.

Tee Pee cranked tunes from the Red Bull DJ truck to get the crowd and entrants pumped for the event. Red Bull energy drinks were complimentary.

Following sufficient time to warm up and get a feel for the obstacles, the youth were first down the course. The lower rails were the most popular among this group, but two higher rails in the middle were also engaged upon by some of the older kids with more experience. Several of the competitors stood out as future superstars.

In the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions, the air got bigger and the tricks more difficult. Lip slides, bunny hops, tail presses, lip 270 ins, and Ollie outs were among the maneuvers performed. Seen frequently, one of the tricks with an intimidating name was the “disaster” wherein the rider jumps a gap before landing on the rail.

Degree of difficulty rose exponentially when the Elite’s turn came. Flips were in some of the skiers’ repertoire along with every other imaginable contorted maneuver. Helmets were a requirement at all levels. One of the skiers lost control and landed on his face. Quickly attended to and thankfully not seriously injured, his day was over and the snow rash on the bridge of his nose, brow, and forehead was worn as a badge of courage.

Past participants at Eldora competitions, Adam and Austin O’Melia’s friendly rivalry played out further during the afternoon. Younger brother Austin’s 550 out got the judges’ attention and a second-place finish. In another family connection, Youth skier Gabe Schuler won Honorable Mention to go along with her big brother Alessandro’s Open Ski victory.

First place finishers in the Men’s and Women’s Open and Elite classes won a pair of Colorado-made Meier skis with bindings. Some of the other prizes included Anon goggles and Burton backpacks filled with socks, hats, mini speakers, and water bottles.

Final Results

Youth Snowboard

1st – Dylan Brown

2nd– Summit Lynch

Youth Ski

1st – Freddie Hess

2nd – Dylan Haynes

3rd – Eli Aldana

Honorable Mention – Gabe Schuler

Youth Ski (W)

1st – Niamh Dedecker

Open Snowboard (M)

1st – Jessie Warner

2nd – Whitaker Ohde

3rd – Evan Hinsta

Open Snowboard (W)

1st – Alex Kochner

2nd – Mrs. Rippinest Chavez

Open Ski (M)

1st – Alessandro Schuler

2nd – Luca Juszczyk

3rd – Ramssey Francois

Open Ski (W)

1st – Lydia Serbinin

Elite Snowboard (M)

1st – Tajvan Littlejohn

2nd – Chase Green

3rd – Arlen Riggs

Elite Snowboard (W)

1st – Allissa Bricourt

Elite Ski

1st – Phillip O’Sullivan

2nd – Austin O’Melia

3rd – Keston Downing