Returning for its 5th consecutive year, 3rd Rail Jam, a national grassroots snow sport competition coupled with live hip-hop music, art, fashion, technology and culture, today announced the official lineup for the upcoming 2012 events. Created by Timmy Grins and Pat Hession and sponsored by Under Armour, the leader in athletic apparel, 3rd Rail Jam unites some of the nation’s best amateur skiers and riders with local graffiti artists, underground hip-hop artists, DJs and break dance crews.

Stopping at eight premiere slops in California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania, this unique snow and music festival showcases some of the country’s best athletes in the extreme snow sports industry.  Up to 150 athletes can register to compete in the winner-takes-all competition for several thousand dollars in cold hard cash and additional prizes. Competitors will be judged on their style, composure, consistency, use of the course, creativity, tricks and attitude, as well as have the rare chance to see slop-side graffiti art shows, MC battles, hip-hop music and attend non-stop after-hour parties.

“It’s an honor to be involved in such a diverse and evolving event. Not only are we proud to support local communities, but we are also thankful for the opportunity to give these athletes and musicians a platform by which they can introduce themselves to the world,” said Timmy Grins, co-prouder of the 3rd Rail Jam. “Hip-hop and extreme snow sports have many overlapping qualities from their creativity and passion to their daredevil rebellious nature. It is a tremendous accomplishment for us to be among the first to really pair the two together.”

After the unprecedented success of the 2011 3rd Rail Jam event, some of the biggest names in fashion, action sports and technology have jumped on board to stand next to Under Armour as event sponsors, including Kangol, Bern, Beats by Dr. Dre, Grenade and Launch Snowboards. At each stop of the tour, sponsors will have a presence to showcase their latest product lines and conduct giveaways for attendees.

Below is the official 3rd Rail Jam list of tour dates. For more information, or to register for the 3rd Rail events, go to www.3rdrailjam.com.

The official 3rd Rail Jam lineup is as follows:
·        December 31, Sunday River, ME
·        January 7, Mountain Creek, N.J.
·        January 14, 7 Springs, PA
·        January 28, Echo Mountain, CO
·        February 4, Bogus Basin, ID
·        February 8, Mountain High, CA
·        February 18, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboarding, NV
·        February 25, Mt. Hood, OR