Popular banked slalom snowboard event returns to Big Sky Resort for fourth year
By Ersin Ozer Explore Big Sky Staff Writer
Big Sky, Mont. – Jan. 10-11
Alpental, Wash. – Jan. 17-18
Registration is currently open for the fourth annual Smash Life! banked slalom event, held at Big Sky Resort for two days, Jan. 10-11.
More than a series of banked slalom snowboard competitions, Smash Life! is a tribute to Montana native and late snowboarder Aaron Robinson. A-Rob was a dear friend and purveyor of stoke to those who knew him, according to event organizer Shane Stalling.
“It’s a celebration of living life and having fun, and snowboarding with your friends,” said Stalling, who added that interested parties should sign up as soon as possible. “It will fill up,” he said.
This gathering is the largest fundraiser for the A-Rob Plant a Seed Project, a Whitefish, Montana-based nonprofit that introduces at-risk and underprivileged youth to the sport of snowboarding. Since its inception in 2012, Smash Life! has contributed more than $20,000 to this cause.
Top riders receive a prequalified “Golden Ticket” to compete in the 2015 Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom, the coveted snowboard race now in its 30th year.
Scissorbills Saloon will host a mid-event party on Saturday night, Jan. 10, at Scissorbills with bands Scavenger and Whippersnapper.
Visit smashlifebankedslalom.com to register, and for further details.
A version of this article was originally published in the winter 2015 issue of Mountain Outlaw magazine.
