Another year, another Jibfest. November 20 saw yet another successful Jibfest hosted by the ShredMC club here at Saint Michael's College. Despite the low temperatures and frigid air, hundreds of students turned out for this once-a-year rail jam tradition and the results were sublime. All the skiers and snowboarders who participated were superb, whether they stayed on the rails or not.
For this event, where the main point is to get students excited for the upcoming winter season, ShredMC constructed a mini terrain park on the field by SMC Townhouses 301-337 (often referred to as the 3s Field) using rails and scaffolding. They also brought in a large supply of snow from local ice rinks so participants wouldn't scratch up their skis and boards too much. The crowd was interactive, cheering when a particularly impressive trick was performed or gasping when a rider fell off the rail. There was an ambulance on hand by the 3s Field, but luckily its services were not needed.
Snow brought in from local Vermont skating rinks
ShredMC is a club at Saint Michael's for all skiers and snowboarders. Through the club, you can get discounted season pass tickets for various mountains in New England such as Stowe, Sugarbush and Jay Peak to name a few. Sometimes they'll host movie nights where club members can watch motion pictures filmed by riders for riders.
"Students get involved with ShredMC to take part in the snow-sports community, and to share the joyful experience on and off the mountain with fellow students," said senior Nate Taylor about the growing club.
Jibfest 2015
The idea for Jibfest came about a few years ago by Saint Michael's alum and former ShredMC president, Mark Cernosia. The event that used to be two rails and a few sets of scaffolding has since grown to one that includes sponsors, fundraisers, and rail and ramp donations by local mountains. Taylor added that Cernosia made an appearance at this past Jibfest and was impressed to see how the small idea to have people ski and ride on the off-season has grown to be the large event that it now is.
Jibfest is a great event for any Saint Michael's student, whether they ski or board or not. If you didn't go this past year, make sure you go next year! Every Saint Michael's student ought to have "Attend Jibfest" on their Before Graduating Bucket List. And once you attend one, you might even get the rail bug and participate in the subsequent ones. The slopes are yours; make your runs count.
