Travis Rice handles it. Photo Gary Hansen [GH].

What started out a sketchy jump over a San Francisco intersection in 2005 and turned into an even sketchier jump over a 100-foot tall scaffolding in 2006 has finally evolved into a legitimate contest. As North America’s only stadium snowboarding event, the 2007 esurance Icer Air was an impressive display of what happens when you use the popularity of action sports and hip-hop to get corporate sponsors to kick down hundreds of thousands of dollars for a made-for-TV event that guarantees them countless marketing impressions and plenty of mass media coverage.

Hey, the formula is simple, and it works…at least when you hire the right people to build the jump, which this year they did. They also convinced Travis Rice to show up and defend his 2006 title at the last minute, and got Talib Kweli and Mos Def to perform together once again to reunite one of the greatest hip-hop duos of all time, Blackstar. With that crazy death gap last year, it was hard to pull the big names out to compete this time, but Andreas Wiig did show up and give Travis a run for his money. The two superstars battled it out for the $15,000 first place prize, both throwing out machoman inverted 1080s. But it was Travis who stomped it clean on his very first run of the finals (Video Here) to retain his championship title and give us all a glimpse of what his movie next year is going to look like. Basically, the sickest shit you’ve ever seen done on a snowboard.

The best part about this event is the opportunity to walk around the one-of-a-kind, AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. This stadium set the benchmark for all downtown-based ballparks, with a gorgeous waterfront setting and million dollar views all around. From the glass windowed wrap around club level to the subterranean spot behind home plate, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Hopefully the venue of this event inspires other cities to take notice (Coors Field, anyone?) and let snowboarders take advantage of what major league sports teams have to offer.

Since the event expanded this year to include BMX, Motocross and other Xtreme type shit, they moved tent village to an outer parking lot. This was kind of annoying, as it spilt up the crowd and took away from the main attraction. As a result, we skipped all that nonsense and headed straight for the stadium. The qualifiers were already underway, and we cruised around the stadium to check out all the angles.

Travis warming up for the big move later on. Photo by Tiffany Morgan.

The pitcher's mound turned into a sandbox. [GH]

Chas Guldemond big BS 180. [GH]

Chris Rotax. [GH}

We ran into South Shore Soldiers' Rob Crosby and Vans TM D-Tale. [GH]

Then we checked out the dugout. Here's Rob showing off his brand new New Era™ caps.

Pull the pitcher, we're sending in the girls! [GH]

"Blondy, Get in There!"

Somebody doing something. [GH]

Lil' Fans. [GH}

SnowRev always in the house.

Tim Humphreys would later wind up in second place. [GH]

Then we decided to head up to the Club Level to check the view.

Good signage.

Beer Garden was poppin. [GH]

Then all the way up top to the 300s.

Nice views both ways.

Finally night fell and it was time for the show.

Rice manhandling.

Back to the ground level.

Lots of kids got tons of free stuff.

"Yes, I am the best actually."

"That's my dog!" Curt Morgan got the shot.

Travis claims his trophy.

And gives the fans one of their own.

Talib Kweli backstage with his singers getting ready to rip shit.

The crowd was ready.

Blacksmith Entertainment baby.

Flow beach ball in full effect.

Andy Finch enjoying the show. Mos Def came out after about an hour and the dynamic duo played all the classic Blackstar joints. If you haven't had a chance to see the two together, it's worth it just for history's sake. When's the next album guys!!! Please save us from the ringtone rap.

Lastly, it was on to the afterparty at a crazy three level dance club called Temple. It was filled with San Fran weirdos, striped shirt guys, super hotties and out of place shred dogs. A strange mix to say the least.

Yay Areeeeaaaa!

Hyphy, hyphy, hyphy, hyphy. We hung as long as we could, then drank the night away until 5 am back at the hotel, trendy rock star hot spot The Pheonix. All in all, the night was a success and Icer Air is no joke. Expect this event to get bigger and better each year. That's what's up.

Related stories:
2005 ICER Air
2006 ICER Air video