Youth skiers and snowboarders send it at Grom Con

Grom Con Vol. 1 had Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Gnome Zone terrain park buzzing with youth skiers and snowboarders showing off their skills and creativity in a rail-jam style competition Saturday, Jan. 4. 

Hosted by Revelstoke Snowboard Club, riders aged five to 12 had multiple runs at the park to wow judges with tricks off the kicker, box, rail and pipe featured in the introductory terrain park. 

While riders trekked back up the hill to the start line they stopped to cheer on the next competitor and offer high fives for anyone who attempted a run. 

As riders got more comfortable with the crowd of peers and adult spectators and started to get a feel for the park, jumps got bigger and tricks bolder. Whether it was skiers taking on the kicker backwards, riders partnering up in groups of two to four to try some combined tricks or boarders getting enough air to grab a tail edge.

Teighan Grimsdell and Everley Morgan were one of the pairs to take on the park as a duo, the two snowboarders showing off clean jumps from the kicker side by side during multiple runs. 

Grimsdell learned about the Grom Con through her older brothers, who competed over the years. Inviting her friend Morgan to join in was the obvious next step.

“Everyone’s showing off their tricks and having a good time,” Morgan told Revelstoke Mountaineer, noting that riders wanted to see the best runs from each other instead of focusing solely on the competition. 

Grimsdell was able to land a 360 jump during earlier runs and noted that free practice time before the competition had given her the confidence to really show off in the park.

After a combined hour of competition time, with a break in the middle for riders and spectators to grab a hot dog or two, Grom Con judges tallied up the scores and prizes were awarded for age categories and whether skiing or snowboarding, including new snow jackets, helmets and gift cards. Once winners were awarded prizes, every rider had a chance to collect some gear, swag or gift cards donated by Grom Con sponsors Society Snow and Skate, Village Idiot and more.

The next Grom Con will be held Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Gnome Zone. Riders five to 12 can register with [email protected] and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration is $20 and includes a hot dog lunch and prizes for all competitors.