This past Saturday Queen Street in downtown Rossland B.C. was the royal grounds of the third annual Ontic Rail Jam Competition, “the Game.” Friday evening the City of Rossland snow tractor, sponsored Ontic riders, friends and volunteers busily covered the concrete pavement with mounds of snow. In frame with The Games pinball theme 6 rails and a quarter pipe were set up for Saturday’s competitors.

An array of talent, fluorescent suits, skinny jeans and hard falls was displayed through the duration of the competition. A pack of over 20 male skiers, 15 male snowboarders and 7 female snowboarders were serenaded through the day by several different live DJs. The competitors did not fail to disappoint the onlooking crowds, Elvis a male skier front flipped off the lip of a rail jump, “possibly the world’s smallest front flip” as a spectator exclaimed. The showing and spirit from the girls snowboarders was phenomenal, several hard falls were graced with laugher and smiles. The outstanding male snowboarder was 9 year old Liam Stevens, who aggressively and smoothly slid every rail in sight.

The competitors were urged on by spectators jammed onto ether side of the venue, some even went to great highs by perching upon a local apartment rooftop while other enjoyed the view from the beer garden located directly across main street. One viewer dared to be to close to the bottom quarter pipe and was hit by skiing male contestant.

Crowds gathered into the beer gardens as the sun disappeared and crowds and competitors awaited awards. The abundance of prizes for the winners had the organizers puzzled about how to divide the merchandise, so uncannily, they started throwing out over 100 prizes to the awaiting crowd. The swarm of people danced to the live DJ and huddled around portable heaters until the Game’s winners were crowned. The Royal champions were:
Men Skiers ages 11-15:
1. Cam Schuster
2. Alex Berg
3. Jeff Amantea

Men Skiers ages 16-18:
1. Marshall Talbot
2. Dane Tudor
3. Bailey Mitchell

Men Snowboarders ages under 11:
1. Liam Stevens

Men Snowboarders ages 11-15:
1. Villy Bouchard
2. Jake Breakwell
3. Gerry Rebelate

Men Snowboarders ages 16-18:
1. Tron
2. Jay Britton
3. Barry Manillow

Women Snowboarders (open):
1. Karyn Lowther
2. Christine Vendershaaf
3. Lindsay Scott
4. Ali Banting

This event is rumored to be Bigger and Better next year; event coordinator Jeff Parker from Ontic clothing is pondering the idea of competitors being physically slung into the pinball themed course.