Campus Rail Jam Tour Finals

Words by Keenan Jones
Photos by Drew Diehl (for the full photo gallery click here!)

It's all or nothing.  After five months and over 15,000 miles traveled, the crew made it to the City of Roses, Portland, Oregon for the fourth annual Ford Campus Rail Jam Tour Finals. 60 of the top skiers and snowboarders from around the nation found their way to Pioneer Square with hopes of snagging a piece of the $5,000 cash purse, heaps of gear, and bragging rights for a year.

Riders arrived to a clear bluebird day, but to no one's surprise the unpredictable spring weather of Oregon rolled in and rain started falling…hard! For the thousands of people who showed up, the rain didn’t discourage the excitement. Copious amounts of free beverages provided by Vitamin Water and Widmer and ridiculous riding made even the skeptics stay to enjoy the event.  Ponchos were handed out keeping people nice and dry and Team Banzai started spinning to kick thing off.

Blood, sweat…

…and beers!

The skiers couldn't have been more entertaining. Banger after banger made judging nearly impossible. Pete Arneson made the down flat-down look like child’s play, landing him in third place. Second place was awarded to Utah’s own Khai Krepela, who received $600 in cash to help get him through the summer in Govy. And it was young gun Conner Bennett who was awarded the 2011 Ford Campus Rail Jam Tour crown, receiving $1,000 in cash, a pair of Pabst x K2 skis and some First Drop Outerwear. Congratulations to all of the skiers...you absolutely killed it!

And that’s how to the cookie crumbles. The 2011 Ford Campus Rail Jam Tour was once again an amazing success. Many thanks to Ford, K2, First Drop Outerwear, Roxy and Vitamin Water for making this one heck of a year, along with all of the riders for coming out and shredding hard. The boys at Galvanic are already planning for next year, so until next time...stay classy!