Skiers, snowboarders take to homemade slopes

The fresh powder couldn't have come at a better time.

Saturday evening in the parking lot at 13th and P streets, a crowd gathered to watch Lincoln's very first Big Red Rail Jam.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore Brandon Wachal said the several hours of shoveling snow in preparation for the event was well worth it.

"It's like the best day ever," Wachal said. "We're snowboarding in Lincoln."

Thirty-four riders from the Nebraska Ski and Snowboard Club and surrounding areas competed. Organizers made a 15-foot scaffolding for advanced skiers and snowboarders and a 6-foot drop-in ramp for beginners. However, a wench that pulled riders onto an 18-foot flat box was the most popular.

The competitors voted UNL mechanical engineering major Allan Wickard's the best ski trick down the advanced setup.

Wickard said the members in the club helped him get the win, by pushing each other to improve.

"I have gone all around the Midwest with the Ski Club trying to represent the University of Nebraska in a good way," Wickard said.  "Last year was the very first time that I had ever tried to do any tricks, any rails or jumps. Now I've done eight competitions."

UNL senior education major Bob Monaco competed for the first time since being out for an injury. He said he's back, though, and hasn't really practiced.

"There's no preparation really needed," Monaco said. "We just go out there and have fun."

Wachal pulled off a front side board slide going backward on the flat rail.

The mountains don't need to be here to be able to learn tricks, he said.

"Colorado is only eight hours away, and there's Mt. Crescent only an hour away," he said. "We go out whenever we want."

Fisher agreed: "You don't need a 14,000-foot mountain to have a good time."

danaahrens@dailynebraskan.com