Club rides in campus Rail Jam

It may have been almost 50 degrees Friday night in Bloomington, but many skiers and snowboarders had the chance to show off their moves at the IU Ski and Snowboard Club’s Rail Jam.     

The event took place in Dunn Meadow, complete with a disc jockey, rails and small ramps made out of snow.

The Rail Jam is an annual event and this year, the club used it to promote their spring break trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo., which will take place March 11-16.

“It’s just kind of cool to bring snow out here. It’s really awesome that IU lets us do it,” senior Christy Nichols said. “The goal is to have fun. Just because we live in the Midwest doesn’t mean we can’t be skiers and snowboarders.”

An ice rink from Columbus, Ind., provided the snow for the event, and Paoli Peaks provided the rails.

“We don’t get a lot of snow out here. It gives people a chance to show off their skills, even if they’re better than mine,” sophomore David Stewart said.  

The club gave away cups and sold shirts and shot glasses to raise money.

“We’re completely self-sufficient,” Nichols said.

The club also raffled off items, including $150 goggles as the grandest prize.

Twenty-four riders signed waivers to ride the rails at the event, Co-President Brooke Murphy said. The participants were also required to wear helmets. Many riders would go down the hill and throw their helmets to others in line.

“The club is not just a club,” senior Kyle Murphy said. “The people in it are like a family.”

Senior Jenna Disser joined the club this year and learned how to do her first rail the night before Rail Jam.

“It’s always a big event they have, and it’s always well put-on,” Disser said. “They’ve been working on it for a couple months.”

Throughout the night, many of the riders fell off the rails.

“I know how they feel,” Disser said. “I’m still learning.”

Stewart said he wiped out his first time down.

“It hurts to wipe out, but you’re never going to get better if you don’t wipe out every once in a while,” he said. “You can’t be afraid to try something new.”

Bloomington residents showed up as well. Bloomington High School North student Amala Afoaku stopped by after hearing the music and seeing people gathered.

She said it was awesome to watch all the riders and  she was surprised at how many local snowboarders there were.

During the night, people would maintain the makeshift slopes with shovels and re-pack the snow.

The event usually lasts as long as the snow is good and people want to ride, Vice President of Finances Brendan O’Neill said.

Nichols thought the warm weather brought both advantages and disadvantages for the night.

“It makes it more comfortable for everyone, but the snow will melt quicker,” she said. “But it’s nice it’s not freezing out. People will want to stay longer.”

Senior and Co-President Kyle McHugh didn’t think the temperature was a huge problem.

“The weather isn’t great, but where there’s a will, there’s a way,” he said.