r: Riley Nickerson p: Jon Glass After showering and chillin’ for a hot minute from a long, swampy day on the hill checking out slopestyle, Friday night meant the return of the rail jam event to the US Open. After a few year break and even a Facebook page dedicated to bringing it back, it was on and poppin’ for an unforgettable night of jibbing madness. Snow Park Tech created one of the most insane and creative setups I’ve ever seen live. A lot of people said it reminded them of the defunct Honda Vail Sessions. In a world of bland rail jam setups it was definitely entertaining to watch the handful of male and female shreds during the 90 minute jam session do their thing. p: Jon Glass The location at the base of Stratton made it easy access for any and everyone wanting to check it out. While it was a slush fest making the short hike to the show, the result was well worth it. The two sets of bleachers filled up quickly and it was standing room only as far as the eye could see. The jam was soon underway and it wasn’t long before the riders were throwing down their best tricks trying for a piece at the 10 G’s. It was a free for all, as rider after rider (sometimes five at once) went for it on the array of features. The creativity and skill level were all-time and it was cool to watch the riders at work trying to figure out how to impress the judges. As beats blared from the DJ tower, the crowd got rowdier and rowdier as time passed. I witnessed more than a few peeps get pulled aside and kicked out for throwing snowballs and causing a ruckus. Chas Guldemond boosting out of the QP p: Jon Glass Tim Humphries waiting to drop in p: Jon Glass Meanwhile, the heat continued as Charles Reid, Forest Bailey, Kael Hill, Johnny Lazz, Chas Guldemond, Chris Rotax, Tim Humphries, Jamie Anderson, Chanelle Sladics, and many more worked their asses off hiking and dropping in like robots. From the hip to poll tower, the wall ride to down rail, and the up/flat box to dance floor, among many other combination’s, it was difficult to keep track of who was truly ruling the course. Luckily there was a leader board updated every five to ten minutes making it easy to follow the haps. As time ticked on the crowd counted down the last ten seconds on the clock. The night had been free of any serious slams or crashes until…five, four, three, boom! Jamie Anderson and Johnny Lazz slammed into one another during their last hits. Jamie laid motionless on the ground as Johnny stood there confused about what had occurred. Jamie’s head had met Johnny’s shoulder with no give and the medical staff ran to her attention as did many riders on the scene. After what seemed like an eternity of silence and a crowd of people kneeling over her, a sled board was brought over and the scene wasn’t looking good. A few minutes later however, Jamie was helped up and she waved a little shaken but standing as the crowd clapped and cheered. That could have been a real bad ending but the result was a happy one as Jamie was soon called to the top of the podium for her check. Charles Reid is like a monkey in the QP p: Jon Glass Amp Best Trick winner Luke Haddock for a fast plant on the sketchy QP p: Jon Glass Here are the offical scores: Men’s Rail Jam Final Results 1. Charles Reid (CAN): $10,000 2. Tim Humphreys (USA): $5,000 3. Shaun Murphy (USA): $2,500 AMP Energy Best Trick: Luke Haddock – Fast plant on the quarterpipe Women’s Rail Jam Final Results 1. Jamie Anderson (USA): $10,000 2. Sarka Pancochova (CZE): $5,000 3. Chanelle Sladics (USA): $2,500 AMP Energy Best Trick: Sarka Pancochova – Backside 540 over the lift tower feature Right after the awards rapper Rahzel and JS-1 hit the outdoor stage playing for the wild crowd filled with underage college kids and tweens. Our crew decided to get the hell outta there and bounce to the Amp’d party with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Good thing because I later heard Rahzel and JS-1 stopped their set after some idiot threw a snowball (of course) knocking over the DJ’s computer on the stage. I’m surprised the Volvo posted up outside didn’t get flipped over like the Toyota did at the Breckenridge Dew Tour. Really people, I know you can’t handle your alcohol, but show some respect. AMP Energy Part Pics: Bill Lockwood and Greg Comollo Why so serious!? Arriving at Grizzlies in the Stratton village it was a happy sight for us VIP’s who refuse to wait in line. We cruised right in as the place was yet to fill up and made our way directly to the bar. With our first drink still in hand DJ Jazzy Jeff (yes thee Jazzy Jeff from “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”) took to the stage with his hype man backing the beats. The dance party was on as weird creeper guys tried to make legitimate conversation on the loud dance floor. Denied. Frends crew Jack Mitrani, Mason Aguirre and Keir Dillon Mason and The Cow Mikkel Bang and Nike 6.0 Team Manager Dave Driscoll Steezin.tv’s Bob Tickleson and Roger Dixwell Jake Carpenter Looks like a solid reach around. Sweet! Back to the bar then meandering around it seemed a few famous faces had showed up. Shaun White was seen for a millisecond as Hannah Teter, Jack Mitrani, Scotty Lago, Mason Aguirre, and Louie Vito roamed the spot. Some time later a crew who had come from the Burton penthouse were flipping out at the bar, trying to drink as much as they could as quickly as possible. A group of about 15 had been stuck in the elevator for almost 45 minutes (which could or could not have been exaggerated)-taking into account the building was only four stories high, but anyway slopestyle winner Mikkel Bang and Burton Team Manager, Zack Dalton had photos and videos to prove it. I would have definitely passed out and/or flipped out. Glad you guys made it out alive! Snowboards Jon Glass & Tawnya Schultz w/ Burton peeps Hillary Hirt and Mikey Fullington Tawnya and Hillary Janice Nickloff and Abby Young from Burton and photog Craig Wetherby Left: ??? Right: Nixon’s Brandon Halberstadt Laura Austin! Check this chicks shit out, mad nasty designer/photographer… laustindesign.com Backflip madness! Some beer skills for sure No Regrets, a solid saying to live by Donna and Jake Carpenter Jazzy Jeff brought out some killer dance moves Leslie and Amy from Fuse Marketing. Props to these two ladies for throwing a smashing party! So, that pretty much sums up the first full day and night of the Burton US Open. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes scoop and crazy antics from halfpipe finals and the last night of party. To be continued…. Thanks to Amp Energy for inviting us to the party, Burton for doing what they do, and of course the riders who continue to up the ante again and again. www.ampenergy.com www.opensnowboarding.com