Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Big Sky Resort is working on inching the third year of their Friday night Best Trick competition on Mar. 13 up a notch for spectators. The Best Trick event, which evolved from a quarterpipe competition, is now a big air invitational for skiers and snowboarders.

The evening starts in the Family Fun Zone from 4-6 p.m. with a kids' rail jam with prizes. The big air competition takes over under the lights at 6 p.m. on the Ambush Headwall. The after-party around 7:30 p.m. moves into Whiskey Jack's for live music.

Competitors participate by invitation only to ensure the best of the best vying for the cash purse. "We invite local and regional pros to compete," special events coordinator Chad Jones told OnTheSnow.com.

About 20 competitors - a combination of half snowboarders and half skiers - throw their best tricks from the large step over gap jump. The competitors are judged on the trick they perform, its style, its amplitude, and its landing.

The free event draws spectators for the show and the outdoor party atmosphere. "We have a DJ spinning tunes during it," added Jones. This year, the event may also hold a few spectator surprises, including the possibility of a mountain biker also hitting big air.