The beginning of winter sports has finally crept around the summer haze in our valley and on Saturday, Nov. 2, RAMP Sports (Riders Artists Musicians Project) in Park City escorted all things snow to the forefront of our thoughts. The Bamboozle, as it’s called, is an eclectic mix of art, music, food and delicious red, red wine (with beer sprinkled in for color). The event featured a gigantic Yeti (think Bigfoot) at the entrance so any excuse for not finding it wouldn’t fool anyone. The gentleman from Soul Poles (Matt Hundhammer) was the first encounter of the experience and his information about the bamboo ski poles was so friendly and inviting that I found myself budgeting for the biodegradable shafts before he finished talking (2 Soul Poles = 2 month Top Ramen diet … roughly).

Inside RAMP Sports was a different experience altogether. Not to say it wasn’t friendly (Rachel happened to be a wonderful greeter) but the happy thump of the Codi Jordan Band gave a progressive spin to all things artsy and outdoors. It’s not often you get to confuse artistic expression with rock concerts but everyone was nodding so Bamboozle was clearly pulling it off. Various booths were scattered about displaying the 20-something artists and their collections therein. (All the art pieces were made from RAMP scrap material from their manufacturing.) IanZaneWelding displayed Zane Dekoff’s excellent craftsmanship in all things metal (with photography, drawing and sculpting to boot) while Design to Grow (Kevin Arthofer) made architectural objects more aesthetically appealing than the actual landscapes they were modeling.

Around the corner and several booths later they were serving booze, so the opportunity to enhance my artistic negligence (however appreciated) was presented and inviting in its wonderful boozey sort of way. An eager partaker named Roger informed me that these events are “totally fucking cool” and that he couldn’t wait to carve the mountains up like a turkey. I asked him if he intended to carve any actual turkeys later this month and he just looked at me confusedly—apparently, tofu requires little carving. He was flanked by an attractive brunette who was representing the Summit Land Conservancy. She was promoting their efforts in conserving Park City’s agricultural lands and was being very convincing in ways not connected to her looks at all (which is true and also a complete lie).

The crowd around the band was growing so I made ill attempts at dancing to thin out their numbers. This, however, did not work and I received several thumbs up from the kind and exceedingly tolerant crowd. Everyone had polite spirits about them and I felt very connected throughout the artistic event. Bamboozle, though odd in name, was a brilliant success and smiles were shared all around. The artists took time with everyone and it was impressive to see them so engaged with their fan base. One competition snowboarder named Chris was almost a tour guide for my experience and made sure I met everyone. In my hour experience with Chris I was back-slapped and greeted more thoroughly then any family event I’ve attended (like … ever). The atmosphere created by Bamboozle was its biggest selling point. The employees from RAMP Sports embraced this attitude and I completely fell in love with their factory where they product skis made from bamboo. I’m actually headed back there next weekend (I committed to the Top Ramen diet) and I suggest you do the same. Happy winter snow days, Utah!