MOUNT SNOW, Vt. - Most people would agree that motorcycles and ice are not a good combination. But with a 60-foot jump and $19,000 in prize money on the line, maybe it's worth reconsidering.

On Saturday, a group of the world's best motocross riders, and throngs of onlookers, made their way to Mount Snow to take their sport into new territory by preparing for a Moto X Big Air competition on snow – and ice.

"I got here not really knowing what to expect," said California native Jeremy Carter. "Once I saw the jump I knew it wasn't going to be a problem. I feel a little less confident on the snow but not by much. It's always sketchy jumping in the wind, especially on ice."

Sketchy could be the operative word. Strong winds and low temperatures made for an interesting practice session for the field of 10 who will compete Sunday for the first-ever gold medal to be handed out in a Moto X Big Air contest on snow.

"My hands are freezing, even with gloves," said first-time Winter X participant Dan Pastor. "You can't do some of these tricks with big fat winter gloves on. The main thing is your fingers getting cold and not being able to feel your fingertips."

But the cold weather didn't seem to effect Pastor or any of the other riders who took run after run to get the feel of the new and unfamiliar conditions.

"It is just a little bit inconsistent coming up for the takeoffs so wherever you are going to land, it's not exact every time," said Pastor. "It is usually within three or four feet of the last spot you hit. So far, it is similar to jumping on dirt."

Similar, but different. Adjustments had to be made to the bikes to account for the different conditions. Competitor Justin Homan, who paralyzed his left leg in a Motocross accident in 1999, feels confident in his ability to hit the jumps with no problems.

"We have studded tires which seem to work pretty good because they have iced up the runways and landings pretty good," said Homan. "I've got a ski on my bike so if we punch through the ice or if the ruts are starting to get deep in the soft snow it will compensate for that."

Despite the uncertainty, Homan is excited about the competition and the progression of the sport.

"This sport is so new and we've been asked to all these premiere events. 'Till about 10 minutes ago I wasn't too sure how this was going to go but we are all doing our tricks and stepping up."

But not everyone is stoked about the arrival of Moto X to the mountains of Vermont. Metal Mulisha member and resident Moto X bad boy Brian Deegan spent most of Saturday's practice session inside the warm confines of the Athlete Staging area.

"I think that dirt bikes pretty much should be left to dirt. That's what I think," said Deegan. "But if they need something to bring the Winter X Games up, they obviously picked the right sport. You can see no one has done anything on snow but they had to do it to pull out of it and make the Winter X Games better."

Nonetheless, Deegan can't deny the sport probably has a bright future and could be around for some time.

"I'm sure it will catch on. Anything with Motocross right now is big so if they can put it in a show they are going to do it."

With Moto X competitions taking place on sand, dirt, concrete, and now snow, one has to wonder what uncharted territory might remain that hasn't seen the underside of a 250cc machine.

"I think this is the final frontier for terrain," said Pastor. "Whoever thought we would be jumping dirt bikes 75 feet in the snow? Maybe we'll go jump some volcanoes or something."

See you at Winter X Games 2021.

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