Slopestyle and Rail Jam competition this weekend at Silver Mountain

KELLOGG — This weekend Silver Mountain Resort will be playing host to the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association Slopestyle and Rail Jam this weekend.

An exciting event for both competitors and spectators alike, athletes ski or snowboard down a course including a variety of obstacles including rails, jumps and other terrain park features.

The USASA hosts competitions like this all over the country, this particular event falling purview of the Inland Northwest Series.

Silver Mountain marketing coordinator Gus Colburn is happy to see the event at Silver Mountain once again, citing the relative user-friendliness of Silver Mountain’s terrain park which makes the event one that riders of all skill levels can try their hand at.

“This is a great event for kids to get their feet wet and compete in a judged terrain park event without having to commit to big-time features,” Colburn said. “Our event is unique because it takes place in our Noah’s Terrain Park, which has smaller and less intimidating features than the full park.”

Former amateur surf coach Chuck Allen incorporated the United States Amateur Snowboarding Association in July 1988, and in 2011 the USASA started offering events to Freeskiers in Skier Cross, Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Rail Jam competitions.

The USASA now offers events in halfpipe, slopestyle, slalom, giant slalom, boardercross and rail jam.

Riders must be USASA members to register and compete, but fortunately the USASA offers special one-day memberships to give people the ability to try the competition out before making a full commitment.

The slopestyle competition takes place on Feb. 1, followed by a rail jam on Feb. 2.

Registration is open on the USASA.org and memberships are available at registration.

For more information, visit USASA.org or call Silver Mountain at 866-344-2675.