Spring Jam means fun on, off the slopes

Perhaps its only fitting that on Wednesday, the first day of spring, it spit snow in Aspen. Spring, and snow, are reasons to celebrate.The resort will mark the occasion this weekend with Spring Jam, a four-day festival of free music, parties, competitions and clinics on and off the slopes, not to mention a sixth Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert of the season to close out the festivities Sunday in Snowmass.Sundays show will feature a reggae lineup, including Jamaicas The Melodians, and Yami Bolo with Yellow Wall Dub Squad. The new show comes on top of two already scheduled concerts Thursday’s performance by JJ Grey & Mofro at Snowmass and Fridays core party in downtown Aspen, featuring the 10-piece hip-hop-rock-salsa-funk-reggae-jazz of Ozomatli.Spring Jam opens Thursday and continues through Sunday. The schedule looks like this:Thursday, March 22Noon to 3 p.m. Terrain Park Bootcamp for beginners on Fanny Hill at Snowmass, for rookies age 13 and older. Youngsters can learn to throw tricks down like the pros on rails and a mini-jump, under the watchful eye of coaches. Helmets and a valid lift ticket or pass required.7 p.m. Florida-based roots rock band JJ Grey and Mofro bring their mix of funk, blues, country and southern rock for a free concert at the end of the Snowmass Mall.10 p.m. JJ Grey and Mofro take the stage at Belly Up Aspen (tickets are $14 in advance and $17 on the day of show).Friday, March 232 to 3:30 p.m. The weekly Big Air competition continues on Fanny Hill at Snowmass, with live music on the mall from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Fireworks on Fanny Hill top off the evening at 8 p.m.8:15 to 11 p.m. Ozomatli performs a free concert in downtown Aspen, at the corner of Cooper and Galena.Saturday, March 241 and 2:30 p.m. Red Bull/SCS Sledstyle Demo high-octane action as snowmobilers pull tricks on 500-pound machines over 55- and 75-foot gaps on the Velvet Falls run at Snowmass. Free foot traffic permitted on Burlingame lift for spectators.7 p.m. KickAspen Big Air contest at base of Aspen Mountain, showcasing regional ski and snowboard athletes competing under the lights for $7,000 in prize money. Giveaways, a beer garden and DJ in the gondola plaza.Sunday, March 25Noon to 2 p.m. Snowmass Rail Revolution on Fanny Hill athletes compete for cash as they hit the Smith Rail Limo. Plus, a DJ, games and giveaways.2 to 4 p.m. Spring Jam wraps up with a free aprs concert featuring The Melodians and Yami Bolo with Yello Wall Dub Squad, at end of Snowmass Mall.