Need Advice Setting Up a Rail Jam at my local hill

The closest ski shop to the hill. Maybe skate shops?

piss_boyThe closest ski shop to the hill. Maybe skate shops?

Unfortunately the closest ski shop is on bad terms with the managment of the hill. They tried to host a slopestyle comp last year and got turned away abruptly by the hill.

LiamJones04Unfortunately the closest ski shop is on bad terms with the managment of the hill. They tried to host a slopestyle comp last year and got turned away abruptly by the hill.

Damn that sucks. My hills has had a skate shop sponsor our jam for a few years that might be a good place to ask

piss_boyDamn that sucks. My hills has had a skate shop sponsor our jam for a few years that might be a good place to ask

Will do. I've been reaching out to most local companies that are somewhat involved in skiing in anyway. Just tired of not having any events at my local.

LiamJones04Will do. I've been reaching out to most local companies that are somewhat involved in skiing in anyway. Just tired of not having any events at my local.

Good on ya for trying to set something up

LiamJones04Just talked with my local hills park crew manager about hosting a rail jam this season. He said it was possible with sponsors. Need suggestions/advice on who to reach out to about sponsoring an event. Trying to keep it local (Southern Wi).

**This thread was edited on Nov 8th 2022 at 9:22:29am

**This thread was edited on Nov 8th 2022 at 9:22:45am

This is really cool of you OP. Maybe you could ask both sides what went wrong between mountain and ski shop and try to find a solution to either fix the issue or bury the hatchet for the sake of skiing.


As for sponsors, you really gotta find someone with some skin in the game, so of course a different ski shop would top my list, but Locally owned Food/Beverages? Maybe there’s a place near by that does winter clothes? DM Tom Wallnuts or LJ?

KilaTsunamiThis is really cool of you OP. Maybe you could ask both sides what went wrong between mountain and ski shop and try to find a solution to either fix the issue or bury the hatchet for the sake of skiing.


As for sponsors, you really gotta find someone with some skin in the game, so of course a different ski shop would top my list, but Locally owned Food/Beverages? Maybe there’s a place near by that does winter clothes? DM Tom Wallnuts or LJ?

It blows. Our mountain management is always striving to be inviting to new riders to the scene and then when a big local shop offers to host a slopestyle they basically tell them to get the hell out. And then our mountain proceeds to have their own "big air" event on the iciest day of the year

Couple things. Seems like the shop and hill should be able to figure it out. No reason to be little bitches about a disagreement when your the only businesses in town related to skiing. Should feed off each other not against. Most shops have local reps for brands and can sponsor stuff even if the shop doesn’t want to. Second thing, get snowboarders involved and pair up with a boarder to help you out. Set up a budget, make some prize packs (hopefully the shop or reps can sponsor that at least). I would make a minimum signup as well since you need interest. Something else that’s important is making the features friendly for all abilities. I’m assuming you want to grow interest and start good culture at your local so don’t make some crazy setup only 10% of the riders can hit. You want everyone to be able to give it a shot no matter what skill level they’re at. Give a couple line options 2-3, 3 is ideal. Set it up way in advance, gives everyone time so they know when it’s happening and are more likely to be there. Good luck.

Super cool of you to try and set something up OP. Try your local beverage distribution place. There is generally one in the area that distributes a majority of the beverages(beer and sodas) and maybe even some food to local stores and services. They might be able to turn you onto something along the lines of Miller/Coors for example to get their name out there. Good luck!

You have to start with a plan. Define what you have in mind for the event (format, number of features, judging, prizes, etc.) set realistic goals, and obviously plan for features your hill already has, make it easy for them.
It's much much harder to get cash from sponsors than goods, so you should probably aim for some lift tickets, skis, gift cards, etc. as prizes, not $$.
Then go to your hill with that plan and see see if they're fine with the format and setting up all the features for you (including a tent for the judges, tables, chairs, audio, etc. I assume they have that type of furniture stashed somewhere), and possibly even participate in the prizes (free lift tickets, free burger or some shit like that). Also make sure you have logistical questions laid out so expectations are set from the beginning (will all participants need a lift ticket, or can they get to the course for free on the day of the event, liability issues, etc.) Make sure to include a marketing plan in there, how are you going to attract people to the event (probably social media and maybe a few posters around town, and ask if they're willing to help you advertise the event too)
Once you have their commitment it's up to you to make it happen by finding the sponsors and making it all come together. Basically once the hill has agree to setting everything up, the big piece will be finding prizes, so like people have said go to ski shops, skate shops, reach out to online retailers as well, they might be interested, restaurants, etc. basically any small business in the area might be willing to give you something in return for some exposure. And if some ski shops turn you down, you can also ask them for the contacts of some of their ski reps so you can reach out to these brands directly, worth a shot! If you can score a pair of skis you basically have your top prize.
Btw you should have zero problem getting monster or red bull on the hill to hand out free drinks, in my experience energy drink companies are always interested, they probably won't give you any money tho, but just having them hand out drinks helps with the atmosphere of the event. Same with having a food stand, if you can find a restaurant willing to set up shop for the event, that's always nice.
As for judges, if there are some somewhat notorious local skiers in your area I'd start there, (and use their reach to attract people too), and then maybe coaches if there's any at your hill, etc.
Lastly, see if you have some friends willing to help out, it can be a lot of things to juggle, so if you have some people you can delegate tasks to, it'll make it much easier for you.

Just a few top of mind things, I'm sure others will have more to share, good luck!

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask, but is this the Rock? If so, I'm local as well and willing to help arrange something.

LiamJones04Just talked with my local hills park crew manager about hosting a rail jam this season. He said it was possible with sponsors. Need suggestions/advice on who to reach out to about sponsoring an event. Trying to keep it local (Southern Wi).

**This thread was edited on Nov 8th 2022 at 9:22:29am

**This thread was edited on Nov 8th 2022 at 9:22:45am

The referenced post has been removed.

Wisconsin and breweries: yes
Wisconsin and weed shops: lol I wish

It'd be dope if it was there or at tyrol

SkiFasSmokeGrassNot sure if I'm allowed to ask, but is this the Rock? If so, I'm local as well and willing to help arrange something.

Can’t participate much, but i’m cheering for you! Tryna make the same thing happen this year where i work

Find out if the resort has strategic partners. One they could help support. Two the resort could get in trouble with their contract if you go against it. Just go in to as many places as you can to see what contributions they are willing to give. Hit up your local florist even lol. You could make up sponsorship tiers like gold silver bronze. Make sure you make it worth their while though. Get a video of the jam and send each sponsor a video of their product placement and the announcer saying ‘welcome to the finals round brought to you by our gold sponsorship member Kroger’ plan out how you will utilize their skrilla and how you will market for them and then start asking for some support. The more prepared you appear to be the more likely they will fork over some sponsorahip dough

SkiFasSmokeGrassNot sure if I'm allowed to ask, but is this the Rock? If so, I'm local as well and willing to help arrange something.

This is actually switz. The rock does a good job putting on their own events switz could use a hand.

OFF3PIt'd be dope if it was there or at tyrol

Trying to make this happen at switz nothing agaisnt tyrol, switz is just in my backyard.

Na that's cool I live only an hour from switz I'd pull up

LiamJones04Trying to make this happen at switz nothing agaisnt tyrol, switz is just in my backyard.

PsychicMigrationCouple things. Seems like the shop and hill should be able to figure it out. No reason to be little bitches about a disagreement when your the only businesses in town related to skiing. Should feed off each other not against. Most shops have local reps for brands and can sponsor stuff even if the shop doesn’t want to. Second thing, get snowboarders involved and pair up with a boarder to help you out. Set up a budget, make some prize packs (hopefully the shop or reps can sponsor that at least). I would make a minimum signup as well since you need interest. Something else that’s important is making the features friendly for all abilities. I’m assuming you want to grow interest and start good culture at your local so don’t make some crazy setup only 10% of the riders can hit. You want everyone to be able to give it a shot no matter what skill level they’re at. Give a couple line options 2-3, 3 is ideal. Set it up way in advance, gives everyone time so they know when it’s happening and are more likely to be there. Good luck.

Yep get a snowboarder friend too. Major major major key

malchikYep get a snowboarder friend too. Major major major key

got some thankfully they’re helping me hold it down.

Use LinkedIn to find the contacts of Marketing Managers for brands. Typically they cant give use cash, but giving you skis/goggles/outerwear/etc will help you make prize packs and do a raffle for cash.

LiamJones04got some thankfully they’re helping me hold it down.

This yo man's? 😭

OFF3P

This yo man's? 😭

No way mans pulls up a pic of boosty club. Unfortunately boosty club was telling little kids to kill themselves at switz. Not really the type of people I’d want at an event. The snowboarders i know are younger and less controversial.

malchikYep get a snowboarder friend too. Major major major key

This is big. Def a good move to include half the guys in the park

Also if the local hill is super down for it, make some promo banners or flyers and see if you can put them up around the hill

Fair enough lol

LiamJones04No way mans pulls up a pic of boosty club. Unfortunately boosty club was telling little kids to kill themselves at switz. Not really the type of people I’d want at an event. The snowboarders i know are younger and less controversial.

Update To Thread!!!
Just got my first confirmed sponsorship of the event from honey wax wax company. Continuing to reach out to other brands and companies. I’ll keep you guys updated once i get an event outlined i’ll post it here

Whats the name of the ski area you’re trying to do this at?

partyandBSWhats the name of the ski area you’re trying to do this at?

Little Switzerland, Slinger Wi.

If you are able to contact any brand reps for your area I would start there, I know the Midwest has an organization that keeps track of reps for different brands around the region.

LiamJones04Just talked with my local hills park crew manager about hosting a rail jam this season. He said it was possible with sponsors. Need suggestions/advice on who to reach out to about sponsoring an event. Trying to keep it local (Southern Wi).

**This thread was edited on Nov 8th 2022 at 9:22:29am

**This thread was edited on Nov 8th 2022 at 9:22:45am

Yooo I snowboard here, would love to join if you manage to figure out sponsors. In Milwaukee we have lots of local skate shops like sky high and phase 2