Celebrating the Legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter in Minnesota
On Saturday, March 14th, 2026, Buck Hill will host A Day for Jake, a global celebration honoring the life and legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter — the pioneer of modern snowboarding and founder of Burton Snowboards.
From Vermont mountains to Midwest rope tows, Jake’s influence transformed snowboarding from a backyard experiment into a worldwide sport. And while Buck Hill may be a small Midwestern resort in Minnesota, Jake’s impact is felt on every chairlift ride, every first turn, and every hot lap session in our terrain parks.
No matter where you’re at in your riding career, A Day for Jake at Buck Hill is about celebrating snowboarding, community, and the spirit that built this sport.
Who Was Jake Burton Carpenter?
Jake Burton Carpenter didn’t just help popularize snowboarding — he built the framework that allowed it to thrive.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, when snowboarding wasn’t even welcomed at most ski resorts, Jake believed deeply in its potential. Through relentless innovation, product development, and grassroots advocacy, he helped refine snowboard design, introduced bindings, supported competitive riding, and worked tirelessly to get mountains to open their lifts to snowboarders.
Without Jake Burton Carpenter, snowboarding might still be a fringe backyard hobby. Instead, it became an Olympic sport, a cultural movement, and a defining part of winter recreation around the world.
Today, resorts large and small — including Buck Hill — owe part of their snowboard community to Jake’s vision.
Jake’s Legacy in the Midwest
When people think of snowboarding, they often picture towering mountain ranges out West. But snowboarding culture runs just as strong here in Minnesota.
At Buck Hill, snowboarding has been woven into the fabric of our winter community for decades. From youth programs and freestyle progression to casual weekend riders lapping Warner’s Way, the energy Jake helped ignite lives right here in the Midwest.
Small resorts like Buck Hill play a critical role in the snowboarding ecosystem:
- They are where many riders strap in for the first time.
- They are where lifelong friendships are built on chairlift rides.
- They are where progression happens, one lap at a time.
Jake believed snowboarding should be accessible and inclusive. That philosophy resonates deeply at Buck Hill, where riders of all ages and skill levels share the same slopes and celebrate the same love for the sport.
A Day for Jake isn’t just about honoring history — it’s about recognizing how that history shows up every single day on our hill.
Event Details
Join us Saturday, March 14th, 2026 for a day dedicated to celebrating snowboarding, community, and the legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Check-In at Burton Tent in front of Hutch Building |Sign in, grab some stickers, and enter to win giveaways.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Group Tribute Ride Meet-Up | Meet at the Top of Lakeside Chair Lift (Warner’s Way Trail).
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM | Tribute Ride on Warner’s Way Trail | Join us for a special group run down Warner’s Way in honor of Jake.
10:30 AM | Toast to Jake (IYKYK) | Held at the Top of Lakeside Chair Lift immediately following the tribute ride.
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Open Group Freeriding | Keep the good vibes going — lap the hill, ride with friends, and celebrate the rest of the day.
Why A Day for Jake Matters
Snowboarding has always been more than just a sport. It’s creativity. It’s self-expression. It’s community. It’s progression.
A Day for Jake is a reminder that every turn we make today is possible because someone believed in the sport before it was widely accepted.
At Buck Hill, that belief shows up in:
- Kids learning their first heel-side edge
- Friends hiking features for “just one more” try
- Generations of riders passing the stoke down
Jake Burton Carpenter championed fun, camaraderie, and pushing boundaries. Those values remain at the core of snowboarding culture — from the biggest mountain destinations to our small but mighty Midwest hill.
Join Us at Buck Hill on March 14th
If snowboarding has ever meant something to you — if it’s been your winter escape, your creative outlet, or your community — A Day for Jake is your chance to celebrate that.
Join us at Buck Hill on Saturday, March 14th, 2026. Ride in the tribute lap. Raise a toast. Share a chairlift. Keep progressing.
Because Jake’s legacy isn’t just something we remember.
It’s something we ride.