It may be spring in Chicago, but winter had a big goodbye party this weekend with a snowboarding contest at Soldier Field.
A 90-foot ramp and 280,000 pounds of manufactured snow transformed a stadium parking lot into a stage for some of the best snowboarders in competition.
Forty-four men and women went up against one another for a chance to share $250,000 in prize money, the sport’s biggest cash award so far.
“This is the biggest competition ever in North America,” said Kale Stephens, a 26-year-old snowboarder from Vancouver, as he waited his turn to climb the scaffolding to the top of the jump. “All the best guys in the world are here.”
Thousands of fans attended the event, which was delayed by about two hours after problems with the snowmaking process. The schedule was adjusted, causing confusion for many spectators.
Sponsor Boost Mobile ended the event with a free concert featuring Ludacris and Chicago’s own Kanye West.
“Everybody killed it,” said snowboarder Eddie Wall, summing up the day. “And everyone who came out to see it killed it even harder.”
