In early January, we introduced the Ticket to Tailgate contest, through which one lucky winner would receive a hefty cash sum, good towards a trip to Flow Tailgate Alaska. It worked as follows: We called upon skiers to submit their best backcountry edit to our Ticket to Tailgate Vimeo group by the February 28 deadline. After submissions had been collected, we asked that the public vote for their favorite video. The Freeskier staff voted as well, and after some heated deliberation it was decided that Bozeman’s own Randy Evans (22) would take the cake.
Congratulations, Randy, you’re in for quite the trip, with $5,000 in your pocket towards a trip to AK, courtesy of the fine folks at Alaskan Brewing Company, Tailgate Alaska and Clif Bar. Going down March 29 through April 7, and now in its sixth year, Flow Tailgate Alaska is recognized as one of the most rockin’ events on the calendar. Its location, near Thompson Pass, provides direct big-mountain access. When skiers and boarders take a break from ripping, base camp provides regular snow-safety classes, beacon searches and snowmobile riding and sled maintenance clinics.
In his edit, shot mostly on location in Montana and British Columbia, Randy showcases the ability to shred steep, technical lines and adds a few impressive stunts for good measure—including a double backy and a mid pillow-line backflip. Randy’s performance had our staff in agreement: he’s certainly ready to try his skills on the slopes of skiing’s ultimate proving grounds.
“I was really surprised when I got the email saying I won the contest,” said Randy. “After it took Axel [Peterson] and I until an hour before the deadline to get the video uploaded, and then seeing how sick all the other edits were, I didn’t think we had a chance.” Randy’s thoughts on going to Alaska? “To be honest,” he explained, “the idea that we’re actually going to AK is still soaking in. I’ve never been so pumped!”
So, bon voyage, Randy. Be sure to send us a postcard from Valdez. A rad edit from the hill would also suffice…
