Jake Blauvelt has sacrificed many aspects of his life to entertain us throughout his storied snowboarding career, but it gave him opportunities very few have access to, and with that rare experience, he has decided to pay it forward to the snowboard and snowskate community of Vermont with Blauvelt’s Banks. The beloved event, now in its third year, is truly an amazing and unique banked slalom with an important core purpose. On a weekend once a year at Jake’s home resort, tucked away in the Green Mountains of Vermont, a few hundred participants (280 this year) eagerly gather at Bolton Valley to shred the hand-shaped banked course built by a crew of legends with a lot of sweat, pain, love, and selflessness. That hard work, combined with an abundance of good vibes, great people, lack of crowds, and lots of clean and fresh air, creates an environment that cannot be replicated. In the modern age we live in, we are given opportunities to view literally anything we can think of, for better or worse. But to experience this event live, as a spectator, is awesome, and even better, to physically negotiate the banked slalom course is life changing. It can bring on anxiety, excitement, focus, pure joy, laughter, disappointment–the feelings that are only experienced in that way when standing sideways. After the race wrapped up, I was able to catch up with Jake and get some deeper insight into the purpose and reasoning that helps make up Blauvelt’s Banks. – The Medic
What was the inspiration in starting Blauvelt’s Banks?
Jake Blauvelt: I always loved racing in Banked Slaloms and realized there weren’t many in my area of Vermont, so we decided to organize one for a good cause. Banked slaloms always seems to bring together great people and I wanted to feel that stoke at an independently owned resort that is close to my heart, Bolton Valley.
What is the event’s core purpose?
Its core purpose is to gather the shred community and raise money for the Waterbury Skatepark Project.
Where do you envision Blauvelt’s Banks going in the future?
I envision it getting bigger and better every year, with imported riders from around the world coming to race and spread the stoke. We hope the make the course challenging and fun every year, and to keep improving on how much money we can raise for the community.
Are there any roadblocks and or impediments from actualizing your vision?
The only roadblocks, as of now, are organizing logistics so the event can run smoothly as possible for sponsors and competitors. Luckily I have the best events coordinating team, Throwing Star Collective, to help me organize and make sure the event runs as smoothly as possible.
How can people help support the cause?
People can help support the cause by donating to the Waterbury Skatepark, and signing up for next year’s race when registration opens in 2024! [editor’s note: for more information and to donate to the skatepark] If the opportunity ever affords itself, make the trip to the Blauvelt’s Banks. Make sure to register early, then book a room at The Inn at Bolton Valley. If you have to fly, the Burlington International Airport is only a short thirty-minute drive to the hill. Another option is the Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, which is about two hours away.
BLAUVELT’S BANKS 2023 RESULTS
Grom Boys (12 and under)
1st – Brooks Witham
2nd – Mark Warren
3rd – Oliver Goodrich
Grom Girls (12 and under)
1st – Sydney Howard
2nd – Ava Foster
3rd – Adelle Batdorf
AM Women
1st – Iris Tucker
2nd – Elizabeth Thompson
3rd – Carly Harrington
AM Men
1st – Avery Bard
2nd – Brad Boyer
3rd – Owen Goodrich
Legends Women (45+)
1st – Piquete Dipiazza
2nd – Amy Herrimann
3rd – Jamie McVeigh
Legends Men (45+)
1st – Mike Baker
2nd – Nathaniel Mathes
3rd – Bill Lockwood
Open Snowskate
1st – Ryan Waldbillig
2nd – Dan Rolfe
3rd – Justin Wells
Open/Pro Women
1st – Noelle Edwards
2nd – Hannah Merson
3rd – Kayla Henry
Open/Pro Men
1st – Shayne Pospisil
2nd – Danny Davis
3rd – Noah Avallone
