Snowboard & Freeski Development Coaches E-Learning

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Big Air & Rail Jams

Snowboard & Freeski Development Coaches E-Learning Competition Formats Big Air & Rail Jams

Big Air and Rail Jam Formats

To understand the format of big air and rail jam contests.

Big airs and rail jams are typically held on one single feature (although rails jams sometimes include two options).

There are a number of different formats for this, but all of them are about demonstrating progression.

Age Divisions

There are no set age divisions for these events. Most will have a junior division of some sort.

Big Air
Exactly as it sounds, this is a single MASSIVE jump. Big air jumps are usually 20-30m in length, from lip to knuckle. They have very long approaches to ensure riders can generate enough speed, as well as long landings so the riders can send it deep without being afraid of over-shooting. It is very rare to see riders under the age of 14 compete in these events.

Most big air events provide the athletes with a set number of hits, typically two or three. Scores for each hit are out of 100, with the best score counting.

Some big air events use more of a progression format, where the athletes are given as any as five hits. Here, the top two or three scores may be used to average between to create a final score out of 100. The other two or three runs would be discounted.

Rail Jams
These are jam session style events, with preset time frames. They are often held away from resorts, in local towns, and have manmade drop ins.

In a jam session format, riders are given a specified time period in which they can take as many runs as they choose to (depending on the starter and keeping the course safe).

Athletes are given an overall performance score for the whole jam session, meaning the more variety of tricks, and consistency in landings, the better. Scores are out of 100.

Rider Tiarn Collins
Photo: Jossi Walls Invitational, by Keith Stubbs
The video above is a Rail Jam at Turoa to give you a setup example.
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Competing in Bir Air and Rail Jams

Strong competitors will be able to show both backside and frontside spins, a variety of grabs and a range of jib tricks, including switch takeoffs/landings.

In most big air and rail jam contests, riders are judged on; progression, amplitude, variety, execution and difficulty.

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