Words & Photos: Ryan Thibault unless noted
S’Ender Bash! Highland’s annual season ender party happens each year on closing day, and it’s a crazy affair. This year’s poster said it best: ride lifts, burn laps, dress up, get down and party! …and that’s what we did.
Nearly 300 people converged on the hill to get in their last fix for the season. Another lap? Don’t mind if we do.
The day was cold but spirits were high. The Sherwood jump-jam was full on. The dual slalom course saw an impromptu race break out and quickly degrade into a mass-start slalom rampage! The Highland Trail Crew klunked around the mountain in full regalia, boosting jumps, bending steel forks and “cold forging” them back into shape to boost again.
The lift line felt like a party, and by the time the bull wheel stopped spinning everybody was primed for the base lodge bash. DJ Rekkon kicked the event off with a musical mashup before The Cop Outs took the stage. Once the amps were powered up and the punk rock started flowing it was game on!
Highland is an amazing place and each year S’Ender Bash reminds us why; we have an awesome community made of rare humans. It’s a family affair. To all the local and visiting riders, the Highland staff, lifties, cafe ladies, patrol, trail crew, jumpers, racers, and campers… thanks for another epic season! See you in 2015.
Klunking on closing day: A Highland Trail Crew tradition (Slim, Meat Hammer, and Tom)
Highland Trail Crew chief Tom Lepesqueur with some killer helmet art
Want some Lobsta guy?
Yes Please.
Tom klunkin’ the sh*t out of Paddy Glades
Slim klunkin’ air
Tom, wind in his hair
Highland local Mark Carboni sending the Tombstone drop. Photo: “Owl Nuggets”
Slalom Course madness! Photo: Dave Smutok
Mike Kent in Sherwood
Steezy bunnyhop barspin
Mike Kent gettin’ all kinds of tricky in the HTC. Photo: Dave Smutok
Mike Kent. Photo: Dave Smutok
Adam Hauck. Holy Smokes. Photo: Dave Smutok
If Mark Hayes was Santa Dave Smutok would be his elf
The Cop Outs. Photo: Paul Kelly
America’s Bike Park 100%. Photo: Paul Kelly
VT crew in NH
Adam Hauck, Kara and Aaron Chase… and that other guy
The Highland bar ladies will see you next year!