Whispers of excitement filled the streets and Instagram feeds with word that Snowboy Productions was teaming up with Trollhaugen, The House and other sponsors to host an event unlike any other. The rumor mill was put to rest when it was collectively announced that from February 14 – 17, 2019, Trollhaugen Ski Resort—located in Dresser, WI—would be hosting the first ever TrollyBowly.
TrollyBowly was crafted by snowboarders and skiers from Snowboy Productions as well as Trollhaugen Park Crew. The build started Sunday, February 10th on Trollhaugen’s Summit Park terrain area. On Valentine’s Day, invited snowboarders from across the country were welcomed to ride the completed TrollyBowly terrain park.
Photos by Stephan Jende
The setup featured three rails, one tube, two wallrides and a round ball built into the snow for a fun jib and spin. Along with these, the builders crafted mounds, jumps, a volcano-style snow feature with a bowl on the top and more. TrollyBowly was designed to be a fun snow transition setup where riders could jib and showcase their skills. Throughout the TrollyBowly event, riders were grinning from ear to ear and had wonderful things to say about the setup.
The first two days of TrollyBowly, Thursday and Friday, the course was closed to the public. Only a select number of snowboarders received an invitation to ride the marvelous snow transition course. Snowboarders flocked from states such as California, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin and many others. There was even a rider who came all the way from Austria!
Photos by Stephan Jende
Invited snowboarders gathered in the morning on the third floor of the chalet to collect their rider’s wristbands, sip their coffee and share fun banter while stretching for the day. Riders were looking to get a grasp for what they were about to experience and what their next moves would be. The first day brought sun in the morning, but eventually, clouds rolled in dropping some fresh flakes on TrollyBowly. On Friday, though, the sun was gleaming down from the snowboarding gods allowing riders to get in some spectacular hits and tricks.
Out at the TrollyBowly setup, riders lapped features and hits effortlessly, making spins, flips over jumps, airing over people and sideways slides through big rails look as easy as riding a bike. Sending it as if they had nothing to lose, riders lapped with smiles on their faces. Many of them watched others throw tricks as they planned their next line, grasping the double tow-rope back to the top of the terrain park. Wheels were turning in each snowboarder’s mind as they stood at the top of Summit strapped in with ideas and thoughts of what their next moves would be.
Photos by Connor Nelson
As the first two days brought exclusive laps and exceptional vibes to invited riders, the public was itching to take a turn. Many invited snowboarders were posting across social media using #TrollyBowly and tagging event sponsors, generating excitement. Saturday and Sunday finally brought a limited number of spots for the public to get their chance at riding the TrollyBowly setup. These spots sold out fast as everyone was trying to get their shot at riding the unique snow transition layout.
The weekend at TrollyBowly brought in riders from near and far. Groms that were only waist height next to me (standing at 5’ 6”) to riders who have been shredding since the ’80s and everyone in between were ripping up the TrollyBowly setup. Snowboarders were joined by skiers who were in search of excitement at Trollhaugen as well. Riders of all levels were lapping features from the dragon rail to the volcano bowl and every other feature that was built. Phones, Go-Pros and cameras alike were capturing video lines and photos of riders looking for content for films, their social media and to show friends and family.
The hard work of those who put forth the effort to build TrollyBowly was not gone without thanks. Riders thanked builders and even took laps through the setup with them. As the event came to a close late Sunday afternoon, riders got in some tricks they had been practicing since Thursday and threw down bangers. A huge turnout of happy snowboarders left Trollhaugen with memories of fun, happiness and a sense of community.
Creating spacing
TrollyBowly could not have been made possible without the following sponsors:
Snowboy Productions
Trollhaugen
The House
686
TechnoAlpin
PistenBully
Interior Plain Project
