Ah , the problem with weather. Sometimes it can be great, and sometimes, like today, it can completely ruin the day. Saturday was all set for the Slopestyle semis and finals, but alas, the wind would not let us continue. Galeforce winds blew up the sloepstyle course, and after about 3 hours of waiting, the event had to call it and cancel the event. But what to do with all the prize money and champagne to spray? The organizers decided to hold a rail jam, with all the semi-finalists, at the bottom of the mountain on a triple feature stair set.

With 60-some riders lined up to show their skills, the crowd was not disappointed. The small drop in — and sheer number of competitors — left a lengthy wait for the rail sliders, but the show went off without a hitch. And after almost two hours of jam session-ing the feature, JF Houle stood atop the podium for the men, and Ashley Battersby for the women. Rounding out the men's podium was Tom Wallisch in 2nd and Samuel Favret in 3rd, and rounding out the women's podium was Katie Summerhayes in 2nd and Kaya Turski in 3rd. JF Houle spent most of the session throwing butter 270 and 450s to 270 and 450s out of the down bar. Tom Wallisch dropped a multitude of tricks, including a 450 on pretzel 450 outs on the down box, 270 pretzel on the down bar and a number of switch up maneuvers. Samuel Favret was 270ing and switching up like it was nobody's business.

Ashley Battersby utilized the old 270 on, 270 off to take the win, while Katie Summerhayes and Kaya Turski were switching up and 270ing off like it was no big deal (Katie also uphill 450ed off like a pro, too). There was no definitely no shortage of 270s or switch ups today. Big ups today go to a number of riders. Alex Schlopy transfered from the down-flat-down to the down rail, a feat once thought impossible. Gus Kenworthy was switching up multiple times on every feature. Joe Cheesebelly Schuster was lip 450ing to 270 off. James Woods looked impressive, almost succesfully misty flipping off the down-flat-down. Jossi Wells took an original approach, riding down the stairs, ollie-ing onto the down rail and switching up before stomping. Tim McChesney didn't blink and eye when it came to destroying the DFD. Bene Mayr, in addition to pretzeling everything, decided to throw a front flip. Kim Boberg smoothly slid a switchup, without leaving the rail. The list could go on and on, unfortunately, you had to be in Laax to witness the rail carnage first hand.

While the slopestyle event cancellation put a damper on the day, the rail jam rescued it a bit. And despite the weather, man prevailed and managed to hold the first ever European Freeski Open Rail Jam. Currently the snow is falling and hopes are high for the Superpipe competition to continue tomorrow.Stay tuned.