Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

SCRANTON — The snow-covered slopes of Montage Mountain were transformed into nothing short of a winter festival Saturday, proudly marking the start of the fourth annual College Snow Jam and offering area students (and beyond) the ability to get out and have a fun-filled day on a college-student budget.

However, for as much fun as the event normally brings, this year it also carried a solemness as many came out to remember one of the event’s founders, who recently passed away.

College Snow Jam started as an idea between former Marywood University students Tim Kane and Frank Winger. Originally, the two friends and winter sports lovers wanted to hold a skiing and snowboarding event on campus grounds. The university turned them down. But that didn’t deter Kane and Winger from abandoning the project.

The event features heavily discounted lift tickets and rental equipment, as well as live music and art, food and drinks, plus vendors and charities. A portion of College Snow Jam’s proceeds go back to the community, assisting Friends of the Poor as well as To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit that assists those struggling with depression, addiction, and self-harm.

While more than 600 attendees were busy hitting the slopes and participating in a Rail Jam trick competition, event coordinator Joe Winger walked around the base of the slope as he chatted with guests. Winger is the brother of event co-founder Frank, who passed away unexpectedly Monday. Pointing to a large wooden board placed against the lodge for guests to write their condolences, Joe explained the decision was made to continue with Snow Jam as planned, making the event in remembrance of his brother.

“College Snow Jam was founded four years ago by my brother, Frank, and his friend, Tim, because they wanted a place to ski or snowboard. Tim contributed more than I could possibly explain, but my brother saw that (desire to continue) and took it way farther than anyone could imagine,” Joe said. “My brother Frank passed away on Monday early in the morning unexpectedly. He was 24 years old. He was extremely charismatic. He had big ideas.”

‘You can’t beat it’

One of the duo’s ideas included a special trick jumping contest — or Rail Jam — where skiers and snowboarders could jump ramps, ride rails or do other elaborate tricks on the slopes. Contestants are judged on their abilities and advance in rounds until a winner is chosen, this year earning a new set of skis for first place.

Wearing a pair of brown overalls and only a tank top, Scranton resident Carl Zenker showed off his skills on the rails. The five-year snowboarder said the entire event is a win-win for a younger crowd with little money looking for something fun to do.

“A bunch of my buddies are always up here riding, and we heard about the event. Grab a couple of beers, snowboard with your friends — you can’t beat it,” he said. “All the local businesses and the charities and the painting and music … you really can’t beat it. It’s just a great environment and atmosphere.”

While Zenker was finishing his run on the rails, Kane’s brother, Bill, spoke about his brother’s friendship with Frank and the success of the event they created together.

Bill said the idea was to make one day of fun on the slopes as affordable as possible for the area’s college students. Pre-sale tickets cost just $20, or $25 the day of with equipment rentals as low as $15.

“They were always close friends, him and Frank, and this was kind of their baby,” Bill said. “Most of the time if you’re going out on a Saturday or a Sunday to any mountain it’s $70.”

Looking at the crowd, Joe said Frank would have been proud.

“It’s a really cool culmination of a lot of local people, local companies, to bring everything together and make things work,” he said.

Artist Chris Brink from New York City spray-paints a mural in memory of event co-founder Frank Winger on Saturday at the College Snow Jam at Montage Mountain.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_ttl021118snowjam-2.jpg.optimal.jpgArtist Chris Brink from New York City spray-paints a mural in memory of event co-founder Frank Winger on Saturday at the College Snow Jam at Montage Mountain. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

Some of the events and tents set up for the Snow Jam are shown at Montage Mountain.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_ttl021118snowjam-4.jpg.optimal.jpgSome of the events and tents set up for the Snow Jam are shown at Montage Mountain. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

A skier competes in the Rail Jam on Saturday afternoon as part of the College Snow Jam on Montage Mountain in Scranton.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_ttl021118snowjam-5.jpg.optimal.jpgA skier competes in the Rail Jam on Saturday afternoon as part of the College Snow Jam on Montage Mountain in Scranton. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

A competitor in the Rail Jam gets some air coming off a ramp Saturday afternoon during the College Snow Jam event at Montage Mountain in Scranton.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_collegesnowjam-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA competitor in the Rail Jam gets some air coming off a ramp Saturday afternoon during the College Snow Jam event at Montage Mountain in Scranton. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

By Marcella Kester

For Times Leader