Snowsport Scotland and SNO!zone, both partners in the successful ski-scotland consortium, collaborated to provide a unique event with Edinburgh Castle as a spectacular backdrop Friday 10 December from 3pm – 7pm.

The Snowsport Scotland Invitational – SNO!zone Rail Jam on at the Ross Arena in West Prices Street Gardens saw Scotland’s elite freestyle snow athletes – on both skis and snowboards – battle it out for a combined prize fund of £1,000. DJs created a vibrant atmosphere for both athletes and spectators who came along and experienced the event free of charge.

Edinburgh’s Christmas Celebrations also added to the fun, with the German Market and ice rink, and ski-scotland entered into the spirit of the occasion with competitions and promotions.

It was a little surreal as temperatures had only just started to rise again after the unusual cold snap which had seen people skiing the previous weekend on natural snow around Edinburgh including the long Midlothian artificial surface slope, which complete with chairlift is one of the world’s largest artificial surface slopes, but had around 30cm of snow lying on it.

“This type of event has been really successful across the Atlantic at Mammoth Mountain and in New Zealand too,” said David Rutledge on behalf of Snowsport Scotland. “Following last winter’s amazing snow and successful season in the Highlands, we felt it was time to position Scotland on the freestyle snowsports scene.”

SNO!zone, Scotland’s only real snow, year-round snowsports centre, provided a team of sponsored athletes and freestyle equipment for the course, created by their experienced staff who build freestyle parks with real snow every week of the year.

“With Scotland shivering under a blanket of snow, it may seem a bit like coals to Newcastle to bring snow to Edinburgh for this event,” said Heather Negus, Chair of ski-scotland. “However, snow can be very fickle at sea level and in the Central Belt, so there was no guarantees that there would be sufficient good natural snow for this event.”

Spectators (over 18s only) were also invited to the post-Rail Jam party at Freeze Pro Shop, 99 Hanover Street from 6pm to catch up with Scotland’s elite freestyle athletes and celebrate with skiers and snowboarders. For all those who want to get involved or just see more. There was also another freestyle event – the SNO!zone Scottish Lowlander – the following day, Saturday 11 December, at Midlothian Snowsports Centre.

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