Portland, ME – Sunday River and Sugarloaf resorts will host their 4th annual Downtown Showdown rail jam event in Portland, Maine’s Monument Square on Friday, February 3, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.

One of the few urban rail jams in the country, the resorts partner with the City of Portland to bring the mountains of Maine to the metropolitan streets in the form of a five-story, snow-covered rail and staircase feature.

For this invitation-only event, 30 of the region’s best skiers and snowboarders will be invited by Sunday River and Sugarloaf to compete and showcase their skills.

Free to watch, last year’s rail jam drew in thousands of spectators who gathered around the man-made mountain to watch as athletes competed for more than $4,000 in cash and prizes. This year’s prize purse will be valued the same.

Winners in last year’s ski category included first place finisher Dan Jones, followed by second place finisher Jeremie Vielleux from Carrabassett Valley Academy (also the 2010 ski champion), and Andy Blanchard from Sunday River in third place.

In the snowboard category, Michael Ravelson from Loon Mountain took first place, followed by second place finisher Jack Alosa from Gould Academy, and third place finisher Sean Kaulbach.

A list of competitors for this year’s event will be released later this month.

In addition to the show of skills put on by the athletes, Monument Square will be illuminated for the evening and a DJ will be on site mixing music. Partner guests Red Bull and Oakley will also be on hand passing out free drinks and gear.

For more information on the Downtown Showdown visit www.thedowntownshowdown.com.