With clear, blue skies overhead the 2nd Annual Smash Life Banked Slalom went down this past Saturday at Big Sky Resort, Montana. The event; formed after the passing of Montana native and snowboarder extraordinaire Aaron Robinson is held annually in his memory and promotes good times and great vibes – all the while raising money for the Aaron Robinson Plant a Seed Foundation which provides under privileged kids with the opportunity to experience snowboarding. Aaron’s friends coming from far and wide gathered above the course sharing stories and catching-up before sliding into the starting line-up to test their skills on this year’s banks.

The course came together in the days prior to the event through the hard work of the Big Sky terrain park and many invaluable volunteers that purchased lift tickets just to come help shovel. With some of the banks standing overhead they where bigger then last year’s and spaced for speed which created an explosive bottom section that tested courage and quads alike. With eighty-five registered contestants the event started early in the morning and continued into the late afternoon with children, women and legends going first.

The après special for the evening was made up of a raffle, awards ceremony and a screening of Aaron’s original movie concept, Of Life and Love. With the sun long gone the nightlife went off at Scissor Bills Saloon with live music from The Riot Act who played in front of a gallery of goggle tanned faces, slugging down beers and slamming shoulders in a peaceful pit of moshers that kept Aaron’s easy going style alive. For those who couldn’t make the trek to Montana, there will be another Smash Life Slalom on January 19th at Alpental to keep the good times rolling and continue the support of Plant A Seed and a future generation of rippers.

Special Thanks to the Smash Life Sponsors: World Boards, Four Zero Six, Volcom, K2, Never Summer, Bomb Snow, Strobot Studios, Scissor Bills and Shane Stalling.

Men’s Podium:
1. Todd Kirby
2. Jason Robinson
3. Chad Dalman

Women’s Podium:
1. Sarris McComb
2. Tanya Simonsen
3. Galen Bridgewater