ShredMC kicks off winter season with 17th Annual Jibfest

A stoked St. Mike’s community gathered in the 300s field on Friday, November 17, for the 17th Annual ShredMC Jibfest sponsored by Burton Snowboards and Jay Peak. The skiing and snowboarding competition is held on the Saint Michael’s College campus and features rails, boxes, and two-story scaffolding for competitors to drop in.

About 30 St. Mike’s students competed in the event with the hopes of walking away with a bundle of prizes donated by local companies, including snowboards from Burton and Rome. Jay Peak had a tent where they sold special discount season passes exclusively for students. Volunteers grilled up burgers for the excited fans while they cheered on their classmates.

Riders said this years’ Jibfest was the best they had seen in years. For you skiers and snowboarders out there, the set up included a two-story drop in ramp covered in snow with a flat-up rail, an A-frame rail, and a 23-foot long PVC tube. Riders spun, slid, and sometimes slammed on these features to impress a panel of judges. After the six best skiers and six best snowboarders battled it out in the finals, the judges announced the podium. First place for skiing went to Sean Flynn ’20, second place went to Matt Stackhouse ’21, and third place went to Donnie Fahringer ’18. First place for snowboarding went to Joey Luca ’18, second place went to Patrick Morrissey ’18, and third place went to Tyler Prime ’19.

Volunteers from ShredMC and the St. Mike’s student body helped to build the set up for the contest two weeks prior to the event. The scaffolding and drop in ramps were assembled is the 300s field the night before the contest, the snow and rails were delivered by Jay Peak the day of the event, and the whole thing was taken down immediately following the awards ceremony.

ShredMC, the St. Mike’s Ski and Snowboard Club, has been planning this event since last year. “Jibfest keeps getting bigger and better every year and I can’t wait to see the set up progress in years to come”, said ShredMC President, Patrick Morrissey ‘18. “We’re really grateful that the school allows us to put on this event year after year.”

Check in to the Saint Michael’s College website throughout this winter season to see ShredMC riders in action. The Jibfest recap video will be available on the club’s website soon.