3rd rail jam! from 3rd Rail Jam on Vimeo.

After two successful and exciting dates at Mountain Creek in New Jersey and Ski Beech in North Carolina, the 3rd Rail now turns its’ attention to Boreal in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Quickly becoming what is widely considered as one of the premier rail jams in the country, “The 3rd Rail” effortlessly combines hip-hop and snowboarding in an adrenaline filled one night smash. It is a complete lifestyle event featuring: a “Winner Take All” rail jam, the world’s first ever mic battle on snow “The Battle Below Zero”, walls and women being painted by some of the biggest names in graffiti, (the aft mentioned as part of the “Graf on Model” fashion show one of the highlights of the notorious 3rd Rail afterparties), and of course non stop hip hop music in the form of live performances and DJs.

The tour kicked off at Mountain Creek where nearly 150 of the best riders in the New York City region threw down for prize packages valued at over $3G’s for each category. As near blizzard like conditions fell on a crowd of several thousand the Vicsous Styles graffiti crew pieced a 10 foot by 36 foot dedication to the late Biggie Smalls. The 3rd Rail is the illest. Simultaneous to the painting and on snow acrobatics “The Battle Below Zero”took place in the Under Armour Bunker. The first ever mic battle on snow showcased 8 seasoned MC’s hailing from DC, Baltimore, Philly, NYC, and NJ.. The crowd packed tight to witness Kay-M, (current 106th and Park Battle Champ) claim sub zero supremacy.

As the rail jam finalized the night only got more hectic and the crowd moved towards the resort for an outdoor performance by Dezmatic and Philly’s own, Jedi Mind Tricks. Right before JMT took the stage, an exclusive clip from “Notorious” was played on a giant 15 foot screen. The energy heightened when DJ Sicknis dropped the “Juicy” instrumental and the CROWD delivered Biggie’s rhymes.

The next stop was the highest point in the southeast, Beech Mountain, NC on Feb. 7th. With the sun blazing and the temps peaking at 65 degrees at a mile high, the dirty south earned its reputation. Setting the tone was a surprise guest appearance from graf legend POSE 2 of the famed FX Crew who painted an incredible eye bending burner alongside homies RAIN and NOSE.

Beech ‘s park crew cooked up a southern jam that was just as slope style as it was rail oriented and had kids catching major aeriels. Once again the “Winner Take All” jam format had no one slowing their roll. The day belonged to 8 year old Luke Winkelmann who stole the show with a display big airs and grabs that left no one wondering who was taking home the RAIN customized Launch Snowboard.

As the rail jam concluded and the votes were being counted, the Under Armour Bunker erupted with freestyle rhymes for the second “Battle Below Zero”. MC’s from Baltimore, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia all contested but, repeating victory was Dirty Jersey’s Kay-M who took the jacket. It was Kay’s usage of “Skull Candy” in a rhyme that won the crowd in what was a dramatic 3 round finale.

Following the battle the crowd headed inside the Beech Tree, where the madness turned to debauchery at its best. With Brother Reade party rocking the spot, the drinks poured hard and thoughts started to matter less. The afterparty hit its Saturday night fever when the “Graf on Models” fashion show began and was headlined by Miss Teen South Carolina, Caitlin Upton. There will be a “3rd Rail” scholarship fund for students in pursuit of map shortage solutions named in her honor.

The tour now shifts its sights to Boreal in Truckee, CA on March 7th. With a free Pigeon Jon concert and and everything else that has come to be expected at a 3rd Rail event, the last stop will most likely prove to be one of the craziest.