Boardroom Banked Returns to the Slopes of Holiday Valley
Boardroom Banked Returns to the Slopes of Holiday Valley
There was a time, specifically in the years prior to the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games, where snowboarding was much less socially accepted than it is today. In those days, snowboarders were rebels and embraced a counterculture attitude that was not appreciated by much of the general public. However, after Nagano, where 19-year-old Ross Powers won the Bronze medal in the Halfpipe competition, people started to embrace the sport in ways that just years prior seemed unrealistic and very unlikely. But as competitive snowboarding became more socially acceptable, some of that counterculture rebellion that snowboarding was known for began to dissipate. For better or for worse, snowboarding was growing up.
One thing that will never change though, is the fact that snowboarding is, at its core, about community. Back when resorts first started allowing snowboarders to ride the lifts, if you saw another snowboarder in the liftline, even if you didn’t know them, you were immediately friends.
Cultivating that sense of community is something that The Boardroom Banked Slalom was created on. Entering its fourth year of existence (it would’ve been the fifth year but for obvious reasons, it took a year off last season) the event has grown in participation and fundraising levels each year. It was created, in part, as a way to ensure that the Western New York snowboard community stayed in touch with one another; so that girls and boys, men and women, people of all ages were able to celebrate the sport they love and have a really fun time doing it!
On March 6th, the staff and friends of The Boardroom Snowboard Shop will transform part of Holiday Valley’s Champagne slope into a banked slalom course with 8 high-octane turns where competitors can test their skills in a timed format to see who the fastest riders on the course are. And while the competition aspect of the event is appealing, this really isn’t about winning and losing. Instead, it's about cultivating a scene and making sure that snowboarding in Western New York continues to thrive.
“We wanted to create a snowboard-only event - by snowboarders, for snowboarders,” Spencer Timkey of The Boardroom said. “In the years prior, we felt like the event scene in western New York was starting to get stale. Rail jams are great, but we wanted to create something that the everyday snowboarder could not just compete in, but have a good time doing it. The Banked went from a throwaway idea to a staple on the WNY event circuit. And while we understand it’s not a banked slalom in the traditional sense — we’re not pretending to be the Legendary Banked at Baker — it’s just a fun event and a great day that welcomes all snowboarders.
There will be four divisions to compete in. Grom (age 15 and under), Men’s, Women’s and OG (age 35+). The fastest riders will win some great prizes and custom trophies but everyone involved will enjoy some fantastic food and drinks while they celebrate all things snowboarding. The Boardroom is raffling off stellar prizes like a 2023 Lib Tech Jamie Lynn ’96, custom prints from legendary Lib Tech team photographer Tim Zimmerman, signed pieces from Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox and much more.
Additionally, proceeds from The Boardroom Banked will go to P.U.N.T. Pediatric Collaborative, a nonprofit that provides families in Western New York facing pediatric cancer with programs that offer financial, practical and emotional support in their time of need. According to Timkey, P.U.N.T. was chosen because of the outstanding work it does. “Our connection with P.U.N.T. stems from our friendship with Maddie Szpaicher, an Ellicottville native and unbelievable person. The work they do is so substantial, and so admirable, that we want to raise as much money for them as we possibly can
Rider participation is capped at 125 so go to The Boardroom’s website, www.boardsandpowder.com, and register today. For more information and registration, head to The Boardroom’s website or Instagram handle @boardroomeville. Day-of registration is not guaranteed so register today! Discounted Holiday Valley lift tickets are available.