Jibfest 2023: A big crowd of students having big fun watching snazzy tricks

February 1, 2023
By Kaylee Sayers '23 and Beth Syverson '23
shirtless wonder

This jumper is all-in, executing a trick shirtless. (photos by Sophie Burt ’26)

Enjoy a photo gallery from Jibfest>>

Saint Michael’s College students and student life staff gathered around the 300s Townhouses last Friday, January 27 for the annual Jibfest jubilee. Occurring later than it normally would due to a lack of snow back in December, the ski and snowboard event was much anticipated among students, particularly the College’s seniors. For many it would be their last Jibfest as a Saint Michael’s Purple Knight.

Campus was abuzz with excitement once the first few inches of snow fell last week, with students knowing that Jibfest would come soon after. In the week leading up to the event, the most common words coming out of students’ mouths were, “Are you going to Jibfest?” After a couple years of restricted and uneasy socialization due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was as if someone lit a spark under Saint Michael’s students.

Frigid temperatures did not dissuade the hundreds of students in attendance, crowded around the ramps set up by ShredMC, the College’s ski and snowboard club. Saint Michael’s Student Life staff set up a fire pit where students could keep warm while they cheered on their peers participating in the event. Food was also provided to students. But the participating skiers and snowboarders really were the main event, as many pumped up the crowd with tricks navigating the ramp and railings. For what amounted to a relatively low stakes competition, many students were not afraid to try flips or other fun moves to get praise from the onlookers. One bold student even stripped off his shirt despite the cold, skiing down the ramp to a cheering crowd (top right photo).

kick up

A skier kicks up some snow off a pipe trick while enthusiastic fans look on.

One of the many students experiencing their first-ever Jibfest, Dana Welch ’26 already can’t wait for next year. “Jibfest is a uniquely Saint Mike’s event,” Welch said. “I have never seen anything like it before. The thought of people skiing in the 300’s field seemed ridiculous before tonight.”

“But everyone cheering on their peers, regardless of knowing them or not, created an electric atmosphere,” she added.

Alexandra Baez Rentas ‘25, experiencing both her second Jibfest and second winter (being a Puerto Rico native), also only had positive things to say about the event. “It’s a night full of skiing and laughter,” she said. “I love how people do random tricks and everyone cheers even if they land or not. I’ve never experienced an event like this, one that so strongly unites the students in this way.”

crowd please

Another crowd pleaser, this by a snowboarder.

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