The temperature temporarily dropped at the University of Wisconsin’s Memorial Union Terrace on Thursday night for the Hoofers Ski and Snowboard Club’s second annual Rail Jam.
Hoofers had set up a three-story high ramp covered with snow and rails which skiers and snowboarders used to grind, twist and fly through the air.
Groups of observers were decked out with hats, gloves and winter coats and surrounded the structure, eagerly waiting to be impressed by the stunts.
People could see their own breath as they cheered on the amazing athletes and gasped at brutal falls and collisions.
President of Hoofers Ski and Snowboard Club Lisa Daniels said the skiers and snowboarders who participated in the event included UW students, members of the community and a few semi-pro athletes.
UW graduate student Jack Buchanan was one of the many UW students who participated in the event as a snowboarder.
He said he has been snowboarding for seven years and approved of the structure that Hoofers set up, in addition to the energy of the crowd.
“It is a good turnout,” Buchanan said. “People aren’t as rowdy as I thought they would be, though.”
Although the crowd was fairly tame, audience members said they enjoyed the event.
UW junior Vanessa Johnson said she was looking forward to watching the more experienced skiers and snowboarders later on in the night.
She added she was surprised at the quality of the event considering it was free of charge.
“The fact that they spent so much money on a free event made it something I couldn’t pass up,” Johnson said.
Daniels said the club started holding the event for the first time last year. About 600 people attended the event last year and the club was hoping to attract over 800 people this year.
She added the crowd looked a little bigger than last year.
Daniels said she thought the Rail Jam was a success this year because of Hoofers’ efforts and help from Galvanic Design and she hoped the event would become a UW tradition.
“It was a big effort on the part of the (Hoofers) ski and snowboard executive board and the volunteers,” Daniels said. “We are really thankful for them.”
