A snowboard rider performs a trick during Jibba Jabba in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Simon Berghoef)

HOUGHTON — Houghton’s Jibba Jabba is shaking things up this winter with the introduction of a Friday Night Qualifier. This gives locals and visitors alike a clear, performance-based path into Saturday night’s main event.

Historically, Jibba Jabba invites only high-caliber snowboarders in the industry. This year, underdog riders can earn their spot in a fresh way – by putting down their best moves Friday night ahead of Saturday’s competition. Forty people will be able to register on Friday, Feb. 13, starting at 4 p.m. 

“This was an intentional change,” said Jenn Reed, event organizer. “The qualifier keeps things fair and exciting to those who haven’t participated before. It’s giving more riders who love Jibba Jabba chance to be part of the main show on Saturday, Feb. 14.”

Helmets are required and all ages are welcome. The qualifier will be first come, first serve.

The addition of the qualifier opens the door to more participation and welcomes emerging riders while preserving the high-energy, high-level riding that Jibba Jabba is known for. Riders who advance will join a stacked field competing for cash prizes ($1k Best Stomp, $2k for Top Male, and $2k for Top Female) with features designed for flow and speed, and one of the most electric snowboard event crowds in the Midwest.

After the qualifier, fans and competitors can head over to the Carnegie Museum for a special gathering to announce the winners from 6-9 p.m.

Free showings of snowboard movies will play after the announcements.

The Keweenaw Brewing Company will also host an event after the qualifier, live-streaming the announcement from Carnegie and the same movies, if fans would rather stay indoors.

Jibba Jabba’s main event is on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. The qualifier will run on a lower-consequence feature that will stay on the course all weekend. After Friday night, the course will be built up and made more challenging for the pro show, with added features and increased difficult Jibba Jabba takes place on Huron Street next to Visit Keweenaw’s Welcome Center and is a collaboration between Visit Keweenaw, the City of Houghton, and Minne Farms.

Attendees can expect stadium-style energy with people surrounding the snowboard course from all sides. Riders perform only feet away from the sidelines, allowing you to feel the excitement.

Friday night will still deliver the classic Jibba Jabba experience, giving people two nights of snowboard insanity and impressive feats of athleticism.

Key takeaway for riders

If riders want in, show up and throw down on Friday. As Visit Keweenaw puts it, “No guessing, just riding and qualifying.”