Urban Jib Movement Brings Top-Notch Freeride Athletes To Compete In Ski Town, U.S.A.®

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO� On select Friday nights in December and January, Steamboat Ski Area will present SOBE Friday Night Jib-Jams, a high-energy competition combining music, action sports, top-ranked athletes and prize giveaways in the heart of Gondola Square. This three-event series further enriches Steamboat’s line-up of youth-oriented events, which includes events such as the SOBE Mavericks Superpipe Challenge and a Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search qualifying event.

The competition portion will consist of invited athletes, including professional skiers and snowboarders and members of the Mavericks Freeride Team at Steamboat. A handful of invitations will also be given out to select local and/or visiting amateur athletes the organizing committee identifies as contenders. Contestants will ride the rail as many times as they can during the competition, while being judged by their fellow competitors on style, trick difficulty and overall impression.

"Steamboat is thrilled to be organizing and hosting an event as progressive as the SOBE Friday Night Jib-Jams,� said Doug La Placa, director of marketing for Steamboat. "It’s a testament to Steamboat’s commitment to the new school of snowriders and our dedication to providing exciting family entertainment.�

The competition venue will consist of a fabricated in-run that will be covered in snow, connecting the Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School building to the rails that will be positioned on the snow-covered pavers of Gondola Square. Each contestant will serve as a peer judge to fellow competitors on determining top prizewinners. Prizes for "best trick,� "worst crash,� and "most style,� among others will also be awarded throughout the event.

"We couldn't be more excited about the SOBE Friday Night Jib-Jams at Steamboat,� said Brian Stephenson, senior marketing manager at SOBE. "There is nothing better than spending Friday night in Gondola Square, listening to good music, hanging with your friends and watching a sick rail contest. This is an exciting and creative new contest format that we are proud to be a part of."

Each of the three rail jams will introduce and highlight a new state-of-the-art rail, which will be moved permanently to the SOBE Terrain Park at Steamboat following the competition. Steamboat local K.R. "Cactus� Nemec, a 21-year snowboarding veteran, owner of Cactofab, a design and fabrication company, and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club coach will design the three rails. The featured rails include: Down Flat Down Rail, which starts out at a steep incline, then levels out before sloping downward again; Rainbonana Rail, a 40-foot rail design that connects a rainbow and banana shape; and Supersnake Rail, which is shaped like an S, with high banks built into the curves.

Friday Night Jib-Jams Schedule:

Friday, December 17, 2004 6 pm-8 pm

Friday, December 31, 2004 6 pm-8 pm

Friday, January 07, 2005 6 pm-8 pm

For more information on the SOBE Friday Night Jib-Jams at Steamboat, visit http://www.steamboat.com.