Wyatt Barczak is a News Clerk for the Post and Courier. He graduated from the College of Charleston. He contributes to The Post and Courier's arts and entertainment section, Charleston Scene.
Although most of us have already broken out our favorite winter jackets and it takes longer to warm up our cars in the morning, snow is not in the forecast for Charleston. Yet, despite the Holy City's lack of fresh powder, that isn't stopping some from creating their own Winter X-Games event for family and friends to enjoy.
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The highly anticipated Mex 1 Snowboard Rail Jam is coming back after a yearlong hiatus, resurrecting their special snow sports event at local hotspot Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston, on Saturday, Jan. 11. The gates will open at 4 p.m. with all of the best flips, tricks and high-flying stunts at dusk.
"Snowboarding, snow sports -- when do you have a chance to see that in Charleston?" said Morgan Hurley, marketing and beverage director at Mex 1 Coastal Cantina.
The event will be shipping in roughly 60,000 pounds of fresh snow, which is almost double the amount at the 2023 event. The new ramp is also custom-built, roughly 20 feet wide. There will be at least one ramp and one rail set for mesmerizing stunts performed by regional and national competitors.
In 2023, the Mex 1 Snowboard Rail Jam reached a tipping point with the massive turnout it saw for the cantina's 10-year anniversary. Since putting the event on hold in 2024, the team said everything is elevated to another level, including the venue.
The event has left the confines of Mex 1's parking lot and will fully utilize the 25,000-square-foot North Charleston space. The most-visited distillery in the Charleston area, Firefly has also proven to be a major event venue.
"Firefly Distillery is thrilled to bring the Mex 1 Rail Jam to our venue," said Jay Macmurphy, head distiller and general manager at Firefly. "We knew our expansive location could take this amazing event to new heights while honoring its roots. Firefly is all about good music and spirited times, and we're thrilled to partner with Mex 1, who shares our passion for creating memorable experiences, including board sports."
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Mex 1 has also partnered with the Black and Tan Collective, the experiential marketing agency that has serviced previous Red Bull productions, action sports competitions and X-Games events.
The excitement doesn't stop with snowboarding. This winter event will also feature live music set to be announced soon on Mex 1's and Firefly's websites and socials.
Firefly's multiple outdoor bars will be serving signature drinks all night, and Mex 1 food and drink favorites will keep everyone fueled throughout the festivities.
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Tickets are available in advance online at City Paper Tickets for $35, and they can be purchased at the event for $45. Limited VIP options start at $100 and offer exclusive access to indoor bars and restrooms as well as Mex 1 Cantina catered dishes. For more information, attendees can visit mex1coastalcantina.com.