The Butterbean Memorial Rail Jam, Cardrona.
Mountainwatch | Press Release
On Saturday the 8th of July, Cardrona hosted the inaugural ‘Butterbean Memorial Rail Jam.’ The day started with a memorial for Sam Finnemore, aka Butterbean, where family and friends shared memories at a pre-dawn service. Cardrona unveiled the mountain’s newest feature, ‘Butterbean Rock,’ a tribute to Sam and his 14 years growing up snowboarding there.
The rock sits at the bottom of Big Bucks park with a metal replica of Sam’s snowboard perched up on top. “For him to see us hitting the jumps above is super special,” Cool Wakushima.
Heading over to McDougall’s, the Cardrona park crew set up a flat down, down bar, shark fin and flat tube. The jam was all about having a go, it wasn’t about spinning the hardest, but rather stylish riding, giving it your best shot and having a great day on the hill. Your hosts Zephyr Lovelock and Laura Wotton set challenges for cash and prizes from sponsors Burton, Cheapskates, Volcom and Pit Viper. It was a laid-back day, hiking rails with your mates.
The jam session went next level with the high jump. Taking off from the shark fin, gapping a 1.5m+ bar and landing to flat. There were plenty of bails and a handful of makes. Spectators watched on from the sidelines and it was “the best vibe I’ve ever felt at Cardrona,” according to local, Laura Wotton.
DJ P.Digsss was spinning the decks at the jam, getting the people moving and punk rock band Cheap Thrills kickstarted the evening in the base area. Professional snowboarder Cool Wakushima shared that, “Everything about the day really encapsulated who Sam was.”
By popular request, we’re looking forward to celebrating the life of Sam each year with the Butterbean Rail Jam inked into the Cardrona events calendar annually. Next year is set to grow with talks of a BBQ and a bigger set up. Be there for an all-time day riding rails and hanging with mates.
