Red Bull Heavy Metal Brings Street Snowboarding to Boston’s City Hall Plaza

Boston's City Hall Plaza turns into a snowboard playground on Saturday, February 22, as the Red Bull Heavy Metal competition rolls into town. X Games champion Zeb Powell leads the fun from 2:30 to 6 p.m., with riders hitting custom street obstacles.

Crews dumped 300 tons of Loon Mountain snow across the plaza, spread over three different zones. This free event is the second stop in this year's series, which started at Minnesota's State Capitol on February 1.

"Sharing the joy of snowboarding with the heart of the Northeast brings so much energy to the sport. A lot of amazing snowboarders come from around Boston and not everyone knows that. This event exposes more people to the sport who would otherwise never know about it," said Powell in a statement.

The contest goes back twenty years. Since the early 2000s, Heavy Metal has popped up in urban spots across Duluth, Detroit, and Saint Paul.

Downtown lights up with rails and gaps built for raw street skills. Each feature challenges riders to get creative with urban terrain.

Powell's presence adds excitement to the show. His X Games success includes gold in 2020's Knuckle Huck and silver in 2024. He blends music with bold riding in his unique style.

By bringing snow sports downtown, organizers hope city dwellers will catch the snowboarding bug. The central spot makes the sport easier to discover for first-time viewers.

“As a city, we are all about creating exciting and energetic experiences for our residents," said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. "Bringing together diverse communities in the heart of the city is truly something special. City Hall Plaza is the people’s plaza, and I look forward to seeing it continue to thrive and serve our residents.”

The plaza's recent makeover works great with the competition's setup. New renovations created perfect spots for placing snowboard features at different levels.