John Bowers
John Bowers
 on 03/03/2019

The 20th year of Dick’s Ditch Classic Banked Slalom has come to close. Record snowfall in February gave us the opportunity to put a new twist on the original course. For the first time ever, the course stated at Sunnyside Traverse and traveled 1,100 feet through lower Dick’s Ditch before ending near the junction of lower Dick’s Ditch and Tram Line. The JH Park and Pipe crew worked for a week setting a new course that included over  70 leg burning turns and jumps. 

Competitors getting ready to drop into the course on Day 1.

On Saturday, over 170 competitors took to the course with the hopes of qualifying to Sunday’s final. Ten race divisions ranging from Groms (ages 11-13) to Pros, both on the ski and snowboard side, tested their grit and stamina.  With sunny skies and mild temps, day 1 gave the athletes perfect conditions to set themselves up for qualifying. Check out day 1 results here. 

1,100″ of vert and over 70 leg burning turns tested the competitor’s endurance.

Day 2 brought overcast skies and a freshly manicured course thanks to the Park and Pipe crew who stayed on the hill long after closing to reshape the turns. Only the top 60% the field qualified for the final heat which meant “Game On” for everyone. 

Pro division rider, Merritt McClelland, with a crowd pleaser.

As the day progressed and skiers/riders from all of the divisions finished their heat, chatter amongst the athletes quickly moved to who would stand on the podium. Unlike the day before, results and standings were kept secret until the awards party later in the afternoon. 

For the first time in 20 years, the course included lower Dicks Ditch.

At the end of the day, athletes gathered above JH Sports in anticipation to find out where they stood in the standings. The coveted Dicks Ditch belt buckles were awarded to first place in each category and top 3 walked away with a prize bag. Full results below.

Check out the full results HERE.

Thank you to all of our racers, sponsors and staff for a successful race. Also a big congratulations to everyone who stepped on the podium. See you next year!