JSAW Jam Contest at Hyland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEYjxPamhbs

Gaper Day at Hyland Hills has long been known as the most chaotic day of the season. With schools out for MLK Day, the hill quickly fills up with kids who have endless energy and an itch to push boundaries and break just about every rule that exists on the mountain. The lifts are packed and the park is hectic. Every year, many kids end up getting in trouble with staff or, in some cases, even law enforcement. With so many people out at once, moving fast and feeding off each other’s energy, it becomes incredibly difficult to regulate what is actually going on. Historically, Gaper Day has been more about damage control than community building. This year, however, things looked a little different. JSAW had the opportunity to step in and organize an event that helped channel the chaos into something positive.

This was the first year of the JSAW Jam, and it turned out to be a huge success.

The event was made possible by eight dedicated volunteers who helped run registration, judging, and media throughout the day. In total, 49 skiers and snowboarders showed up to compete for prizes that included skis, snowboards, and other gear. For a freezing cold Monday morning, the turnout was impressive. In addition to the competitors, many spectators showed up to watch, support, and hype up the riders. From the moment the event started, the energy was high and stayed that way all day.

Riders spent the first session lapping two features while judges kept an eye out for style, creativity, and consistency. While the session itself was fairly chaotic, there was a ton of solid riding going down. The variety of tricks, approaches, and personal style made it exciting to watch, and it was clear that people were feeding off the supportive atmosphere. Riders were cheering for each other, offering encouragement, and celebrating just as much as big tricks. After the first round, judges narrowed the field down to the top eight skiers and snowboarders, along with a separate girls’ final.

The finals session brought even more intensity. Riders who advanced stepped it up with bigger tricks and more confidence, while those who didn’t make finals stayed to watch and support. The crowd remained loud, positive, and engaged, turning the park into a space that felt welcoming rather than out of control. Seeing the community come together to create something constructive was a refreshing change of pace from previous Gaper Days at Hyland. Instead of pure chaos, the day became about progression, support, and having fun on snow together.

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