Boardroom Banked

There is a big race coming up at Holiday Valley. People look forward to it every year. Winners are celebrated, spectators cheer, and good times is the name of the game. Best part? YOU can try your hand at the course. Yes, you can race! There’s a few things to know if you want to participate. First, it doesn’t matter how old you are, like, at all. Second, remember to have fun at all times, no exceptions, and finally… NO SKIERS ALLOWED!

This isn’t just any race. It's the 7th annual Boardroom Banked. This snowboarder-exclusive banked slalom event has become a Holiday Valley staple and a great day to celebrate snowboarding with The Boardroom, Ellicottville’s very best in snowboard equipment that has been serving Western New York for 40 years. The course itself is catered specifically to snowboarders and is different from a traditional slalom, with banked turns positioned for riders to round the gates most effectively. This year, The Banked is coming back to Lower Champagne and featuring a new division for the youngest of riders.

Spencer Timkey, owner of The Boardroom Snowboard Shop, calls the Boardroom Banked his favorite day of the year. I’d believe him without needing explanation, considering Timkey has been working at the shop since he was a little kid, and has basically lived the sport his entire life. Still, Timkey explains why this day is so special.

“One hundred plus snowboarders coming together for the overall love of standing sideways, and it’s especially cool to see the groms come out and ride the course and get cheered on by all of the older crew. There’s high energy and it’s just a great day to have a snowboard-only event. For snowboarders, by snowboarders,” said Spencer.

Snowboarding has always held its own against skiing in Ellicottville, Spencer explained. The sport itself is only about sixty years old, so it’s understandable why people like Spencer are so committed to celebrating it and maintaining growth. “There’s a certain kindred spirit when you see another person on the hill standing sideways,” he said. “While it’s a sport and lifestyle that celebrates individuality, the community is strong.”

HOW THE BOARDROOM BANKED BEGAN

The event debuted in the 2017-18 season when The Boardroom Snowboard Shop was interested in making an event that every rider could enjoy. “We wanted to create an event that all snowboarders could participate in, from the grandkid to the parent to the grandparent,” said Spencer. Funnily enough, Holiday Valley was slightly apprehensive about hosting a banked slalom event in that first year, according to Spencer.

“To our eternal gratitude, they agreed to it. Our relationship with Holiday Valley is so strong, and that’s what makes this event so successful. The resort is willing to listen to our ideas, and we plan the course/event around what they’re comfortable with,” said Spencer

This year, the race is on Champagne, the black diamond directly off to the right side of the Yodeler Quad. The race has had several homes in the last seven years, including Independence and Yodeler, but Spencer seems to like Champagne the best. “Champagne doesn’t fit the mold for where you’d have a traditional banked slalom, but it’s what works best for both us and the resort. It’s highly visible from the lift/Sundeck, there’s typically a ton of snowpack for us to work with, and there’s enough pitch where riders can take it slow or really get cooking.”

EVENT DETAILS

Bright and early on Sunday, March 2nd is when the celebration begins, with racer check-in at 8:00am. Participants also have the option to check in the night before at the Upstairs bar inside Yodeler lodge from 7:00-8:30pm. The race itself kicks off at 9:30am on Sunday. In order to race, you’ll need to register online. It’s $40 which gets you three runs through the course, lunch, and a Blackstrap facemask. The race benefits the Ellicottville Playground Project which is working to bring an inclusive playground to Ellicottville. The event will be DJ’d by DJ Tyler Swift, who Spencer swears up and down is “hands down the best snowboard event DJ on the East Coast.”

This year, an all new division of racers is coming to the course. The Banked is calling it their “Uber Grom Division!” This is where the smallest of riders, including those still snowboarding on a leash, can rip the bottom two turns of the course for a fee of $15, which directly funds the Ellicottville Playground Project.

The other four divisions are pretty simple: Men’s open, Women’s open, Grom (for riders 15 years old and under), and OGs (for riders 35 and over). When asked which division was the most competitive, Spencer replied, “OG for sure! Those old heads be ripping!”

This year’s Boardroom Banked certainly won’t be one to miss. You can register to race at www.boardsandpowder.com, where you’ll also find further event details. Stay in the know with updates from The Boardroom’s Instagram account, @boardroomeville.

Boardroom Banked

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