Just a quick levitation trick to remind everyone that skiers don’t follow the laws of gravity.
It’s not a rail jam without a flip. Rider Rocco Jones hucks a backflip off a rail for a crowd of students at the 2026 CU Hill Jam.
Eldora Mountain’s terrain park groomers were hard at work pushing snow and keeping the course in mint condition between rounds.
Riders stand on top of the ramp getting their mental reps in before the competition.
Red Bull gives a rider wings as he hops on the rail for a board slide during warmup routines.
Even the fashion was on fire. It’s not cool if you don’t look cool doing it.
The atmosphere was electric on the Hill for Boulder Freeride’s annual competition. Students mobbed the intersection at 13th Street and College Avenue, spilling onto roofs when the sidewalks filled up.
It was a non-stop carousel of competitors dropping in and hopping back in line. Riders competed in two groups with separate heats, followed by a 45-minute round for finalists to claim their spot on the podium.
Wipeout. At least snow is softer than the rail.
Boulder Freeride brought in the big guns to Emcee the Hill Jam. Eldora’s “Sammy B” kept the energy high and vibes good for the 3-hour event.
The course had two rails; a flat rail and a DFD — down-flat-down — rail where riders could get a bit more creative with their tricks.
The final rail shot more adventurous riders straight into the air, giving them enough hang time for flips, spins and tail taps.
Boarder Willan Charles lets out a sigh of relief after the last run of the night. Three heats, over three hours and countless rail grinds finally came to an end.
Some pre-show reps on the flat rail.
Choose your own adventure: Two rails, or a straight shot down the middle.
A lot of people consider CU Boulder a football school. The energy at the annual CU Hill Jam might have something to say about that.
Each winter since 2023, CU Boulder Freeride shuts down the streets and brings in the snow, turning 13th Street into a gnarly terrain park for one night only. A field of 30 skiers and snowboarders spin, flip, slide and ragdoll for a cheering — and sometimes wincing — crowd of students. Riders push their limits for glory, or in some cases bone crushing defeat.
Here’s a snapshot of the best night on the Hill every winter.
