Killington, VT – Some of the best amateur and professional skiers and snowboarders in the country will compete for a cash purse totaling $15,000 in next week’s Rails 2 Riches Rail Jam on Dec. 11 at Vermont’s Killington Resort.n“Over the past six years, Rails 2 Riches has turned into one of the most popular rail jam competitions in the nation,” says Tess Hobbs, Killington Resort’s Events Coordinator. “Every competitor wants a piece of the cash and is throwing down their best tricks to grab some. It turns into quite a show!”

The four-feature rail setup on the lower section of Highline is an easy walk for competitors and spectators from the K-1 Lodge. Qualifiers will begin at 10:30 a.m. for riders and 12:30 p.m. for skiers. The top skiers and riders from each division will advance to the finals. The excitement will peak during the finals of the competition which begin at 4:30 p.m. under the lights. Spectators will be warmed as the bonfires burn nearby and the competition heats up on the slopes.

The top prize for both male categories is $3,000, with $1,000 going to each of the first-place women skiers and riders. Ten skiers and riders who throw down the best tricks in during the final round will be handed $100 bills.

“Registrations for this year’s event sold out in less than five minutes,” explains Hobbs. Four competitors were awarded free entry into Rails 2 Riches by winning the Loaded Turkey Rail Jam on Nov. 21, including Kieran McVeigh, Jackie Kling, Zack Wilmot and Meghan Dorsey.

Reigning Rails 2 Riches champions, Laura Rogoski (women’s snowboarding) and John Strenio (men’s ski) will defend their titles against a field of 100 competitors. 2009 finalist Ian Compton (men’s ski) and Shaun Murphy (men’s snowboard) will compete, as well as other top pro skiers and riders including Kim Lamarre, 2009 X-Games Slopestyle competitor and a three-time Rails 2 Riches Champion.

For more information visit www.killington.com.