We weren’t lying when we told you it was going to be bigger than ever…
After a 3 year hiatus, the Rhythm Rail Jam was finally back and we are still reeling from it.
50 of Niseko’s best riders turning out to deliver the most impressive selections from their bag of tricks in front of 2,000 spectators, how could we not be stoked?
After months of preparation organising performers, curating our riders list, and preparing the iconic Sunsports Land for a fully fledged park makeover, 2024’s Jam marked the biggest and best event in our Rail Jam history. From the assortment of local food trucks, to a variety of local performers such as dancers, taiko drummers and ninjas, there was something for everyone.
And that was just the entertainers, when it comes to riders, we can’t even begin to explain the quality of tricks on display. Youth Olympian Olly Nicholls followed up his trailblazing performance from the recent Gangwon Winter Olympics to clinch second place in the Men’s ski event, although was pipped at the post by Yasuyoshi Yukita, who deservingly earned first place after adding a new definition to ‘sending it.’ Shiori Takahashi took home first place in the Women’s mixed discipline event after wowing the crowd with her impressive jibbing skills, while Kume Haruto took out the Grom’s category after putting on a display that would outstage most seasoned rail jam veterans.
On top of that, our annual Rail Jam Raffle raised ¥36,000 for the Japan Earthquake Relief and Women’s Refuge Fund, and saw a large collection of attendees walking home with new skis, snowboards, snowboard boots, and a range of other apparel. As you can imagine, the stoke was high both on the night, and the following day as a bunch of people walked around town sporting their brand new pair of Vans kicks.
That same stoke was felt especially by the team at Rhythm Japan.
Now that all of the promotional marketing is over and done with, we can be honest with you – we had our doubts. Having not hosted the Rail Jam since 2019, we really weren’t sure if there would still be interest and appeal for our little homegrown event. What if people don’t like Rail Jam’s anymore? Everyone seems excited about the X-Games ‘Knuckle Huck’, is that the new thing crowds are into? What if no one turns up… all of the standard thoughts and anxieties that creep in when hosting an event, definitely popped into our team’s head in the lead up.
So to have 2,000 excited punters turn up to cheer on a crew of riders from all over the world, bridging together the international snowsports community with a selection of local riders, genuinely exceeded our wildest expactations.
On that note, we’d like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who braved the sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall to attend the event, and to our list of incredible sponsors who made this event possible. As a tiny crew of people who put in countless hours to make this event happen, we can’t thank you enough.
Full List of Rhythm Rail Jam Winners
Men’s Skis
1st: Yasuyoshi Yukita
2nd: Olly Nicholls
3rd: Juma Findlay
Men’s Snowboard
1st: Shunshi Komeno
2nd: Ryoki Ogawa
3rd: Toui Suzuki
Women’s Mixed Discipline
1st: Shiori Takahashi
2nd: Himari Takamori
3rd: Miyu Oishi
Groms
1st: Kume Haruto
2nd: Chise Watanabe
3rd: Riku
Full List of Rhythm Rail Jam Sponsors
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, Chatrium Niseko, Niseko Tourism, Niseko Real Estate, Don Julio 1942, RIDE, Völkl, LINE, Marker, K2, Dalbello, Vans: Off The Wall, Picture, Tough Tits, Oyuki, Public Menace, Burton, Black Crows, Volcom, Yow, Devgru, Insta360, Dragon, Flywire, The Niseko Company, Holiday Niseko, Roomboss, Coal, The Social Kutchan Pub, The Baddies, MNK, Odin, Taiga, The Luxe Nomad, Wild Bills Niseko.
And special thanks to: Moiwa and Niseko Physio.
