Under 720 Halfpipe Jam - Save the Okemo Halfpipe!

Story // Jake Sullivan. April 10, 2025
Photos // Justin Diak

The sense of community and grassroots organization within the East Coast snowboard scene is truly remarkable. Time and time again, I’m left in awe of what this small group of like-minded snowboarders can accomplish when pushed against the wall. So, earlier this winter, when Vail Resorts announced it would not be building Okemo’s legendary halfpipe anymore, it was no surprise to see a quick response that snowballed into a massive campaign.

The significance of the Okemo halfpipe cannot be overstated. The last remaining 18-foot pipe in Vermont has produced some of the greatest halfpipe snowboarders of all time, and the threat of its removal would prevent future shredders from following in their footsteps. Danny Kass, the Teeter siblings, Sumner Orr, Joey Okesson, and many more riders spanning multiple generations have called this pipe home.

When Vail first announced they would not build the pipe anymore, supporters responded immediately from near and far. An online petition was started and quickly gained momentum, eventually receiving nearly 7,000 signatures. Signs were hung from balconies on the slope-side condos at Okemo’s Clocktower Base area with slogans like “Build The Pipe” painted across sheets and banners. Joey Okesson, who calls the Okemo pipe home, had “Save the Okemo Halfpipe” written on his board, waving it in front of the camera on live TV during his runs at the Winter X-Games in Aspen.

photo: Instagram @okemo_halfpipe_forever

The message was everywhere, and through this grassroots-style campaign, Vail and Okemo rescinded their decision and built the pipe this year.

In celebration of the victory and the return of the halfpipe, the Okemo Parks crew and Darkside made plans to throw an old-school pipe jam. This would be an opportunity to bring everyone together and show the importance the pipe has in the New England snowboard community.

The plan was simple: get a ton of dogs on the grill, lap the T-Bar, and ride some pipe just like it was 93/94 all over again. It was decided to limit rotations to 540 or below to focus on style, amplitude, and good vibes—no spin-to-win here, just good times and big airs.

In true Vermont spring fashion, the original date had to be rescheduled because the mountain could not open due to icing, a familiar story for anyone who has been following these Darkside Journal posts this winter. The new date was set for Sunday, March 30. The weather initially called for rain, but right as things started, the clouds burned off, the sun came out, temperatures rose, and it turned into a beautiful day. Over 70 people pre-registered for the event, and another 20 or so signed up the day of, making for an all-time event.

Henry Bonang maxing out the height meter

A height meter was installed on one of the decks, the music was cranking from the bird’s nest, and everyone was stoked to be riding halfpipe. Some highlights from the day included the multi-generational champions, with Frank Knaack winning in the Men’s Legends category and his daughter Zinn claiming the top spot for Groms. Anna Valentine won the overall women’s division, riding with timeless style and stomping frontside 540s. 15-year old Henry Bonang, straight off two podiums at USASA Nationals (1st in rail jam, 3rd in pipe), was going bigger than anyone and landed himself the highest air award, all while riding with style well beyond his years. Watching local legend Jerry Tucker lap the halfpipe with his daughter, Iris, reminded us all that riding this pipe can also be a family affair, shining more light on the necessity to convince Vail and Okemo to continue to build it in the future.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the jam, Darkside's Justin Diak and Devon McCluskey from Okemo Parks for putting the event together, John Garoutte for drawing the poster, and Nitro, Burton, Smith, Dinosaurs Will Die, ThirtyTwo, and Okemo Parks for sponsoring the event. We hope this event showed Okemo that if you build it, we will rip it.