Jacco Bos is one of those people who simply doesn’t do things halfway. Rider, coach, manager, event creator. A guy who lives and breathes snowboarding. We caught up with him to talk about his journey, how he linked up with our crew at Horsefeathers, and the vision behind the brand-new snowboard event, Rail Royale. Curious how a childhood dream turns into one of the most exciting rail concepts in Europe? Dive into the full interview below and get the inside story straight from Jacco.
For those who haven’t met you yet, can you firstly introduce yourself?
My name is Jacco Bos. I’m from the Netherlands, but I’ve been living just outside of Innsbruck for about six years now. Altogether, I’ve spent around thirteen years in the mountains. I’m 30 years old and I absolutely love snowboarding. That’s probably the simplest way to put it.
Your schedule is pretty stacked – rider, coach, manager, event creator. How did that all develop over time?
My background is strongly rooted in park building. When I started snowboarding, I also fell in love with building parks. I began in an indoor dome in the Netherlands. I’ve always been filming as well.
I’ve consistently had different side projects that combined snowboarding with other skills. Over time, those interests evolved. Now I’m able to bring a lot of that knowledge together, and it helps me approach projects in a more structured and efficient way.
How do you handle it all? Each of those roles could be a full-time job on its own.
I truly love variation in my days. If I were to do the exact same thing every day for three months straight, it would drive me completely crazy.
Honestly, I sometimes don’t understand how people don’t work this way. This variety is what keeps me sane. It gives me constant challenges, new things to learn, and new areas to explore.
Of course, there are moments when it becomes too much. That’s when you have to know how to set boundaries, work efficiently, and prioritize properly.
Which part of your work currently brings you the most joy?
That’s a difficult question because each role brings a different kind of fulfillment. Right now, coaching is probably the most interesting and rewarding for me. It’s such a personal thing. You build real relationships with people, whether it’s a young teenager or an adult rider at a higher level. Seeing actual progression and watching someone genuinely enjoy the sport you love so much is incredibly fulfilling.
On the event side, the satisfaction is different. It’s about creating something that has a lasting impact on the industry and the community. Something that might live on longer than my own riding career. It’s more of a legacy aspect. That’s what draws me to it.
When you actually get a day off, what does it look like? Still snowboarding, or something completely different?
In summer, surfing is a huge passion of mine. I love traveling somewhere warm and spending time in the ocean. I’ve also gotten into downhill biking over the last two summers. I’m still relatively new to it, but I absolutely love it. I grew up biking long distances to school and riding pump tracks in my backyard, so it feels natural. I’m actually glad I didn’t start downhill earlier—I’ve already broken enough bones as it is.
I’m also a bit of a computer geek. I love motorsports and have a racing simulator at home. On top of that, I go to the gym regularly and spend a lot of time with my dog. He loves the snow and the sun, so I take him with me to the mountains as well. A few runs are more than enough for him to burn off his energy.
“For me, events are about creating something that leaves a lasting impact on the industry and the community. Something that might live on longer than my own riding career. It’s about legacy. And that’s what truly draws me to it.” — Jacco
How did your collaboration with Horsefeathers begin?
It actually started through Street Jam. Years ago, Ethan Morgan reached out to me to help him with the DIYX STRT JAM project. Since Ethan was already part of the HF team at that time, that’s how I got connected with Thomas from HF and got to know him personally. From the beginning, we clicked both personally and professionally. There was a similar mindset, a similar approach to things, and the same kind of energy when it came to finishing projects properly. I’ve always appreciated people who look for creative solutions and think differently. With you at Horsefeathers, I immediately felt a different approach – more “out of the box” and with a genuine drive to push things forward. On a personal note, Halldór was my childhood hero and also part of the team. Ethan is not only part of the crew but also a good friend of mine and one of my favorite riders. So when the opportunity came to align myself with Horsefeathers, it was an easy decision. It just clicked.
Today, you’re not only a HF rider but also supporting the brand in Austria. What does your role actually involve?
We’re still defining the collaboration to fully understand what the best win-win setup is. I’m slowly getting back into riding more seriously, which is funny at 30, but life feels more settled now and I’ve found a new flow and pleasure in snowboarding again. At the same time, I help connect the brand with riders. Being based in Austria and working as a coach means I’m constantly in contact with young riders and deeply involved in the local scene. I assist Horsefeathers by pointing them in the right direction when it comes to talent, community projects, and smaller events around Austria.
RAIL ROYALE – A Childhood Dream Turned Reality
Let’s talk about Rail Royale. How did the idea for this event come about?
It started as a bit of a space opening up in the rail jam scene. Organizing a high-level event of my own has been a childhood dream. I’ve always loved a friendly Game of Skate session with friends. Skateboarding has always inspired snowboarding, and formats like The Berrics or King of the Road made a big impression on me. That concept stayed in the back of my mind for years. About a year and a half ago, things started aligning. Nico Schneider, one of my closest friends, and I began developing the concept. Originally, we wanted to host it near Innsbruck, but through discussions with partners and sponsors, we realized that hosting it in Nesselwang, South Germany, would have a bigger impact on the local community. The park there used to be very well known but has been quieter in recent years. We’re excited to bring some life back to it.
How will Rail Royale unfold and what format can we look forward to?
It’s based on the Game of Skate concept, adapted for snowboarding. Riders compete 1v1. Each has a certain number of lives represented by letters. One rider calls a trick. If they land it, the opponent has to match it. If the opponent fails, they lose a letter. We introduced two key adjustments. In the early rounds, riders start with only three letters, and the number increases toward the final, where they have six. We also added the “counter letter rule.” If the rider who calls the trick fails, the opponent can still attempt it. If they land it, the original caller loses a letter instead. This adds a tactical element. Riders have to think carefully before calling something extremely difficult. For me, this format highlights true rail control. It’s about having tricks ready on demand—not after fifty attempts.
What can riders and spectators expect from the setup?
The setup is street-inspired. The rails will be high enough that riders need to properly ollie onto them, creating more technical possibilities. We’ll start with shorter rails—a down rail and a down-flat—and progress into longer, more technical features such as a donkey rail or a down-flat-down with additional kinks. The rails will be surrounded by wooden stairs to reinforce the street feel.
“Rail Royale is an opportunity to give back to the community from the heart. It’s another step in my career and in finding my place within the industry. It’s also a childhood dream — to see a major Game of Skate-style event in Europe, done in this particular way.” — Jacco
Will there be any special elements beyond the main contest?
Yes. On the second day, we’ll host Fantasy Battles. These are unique matchups with creative rules that may vary from battle to battle. It serves as both entertainment and a break for the main competitors, who will have multiple battles that day. It’s a chance to experiment and bring something unexpected to the audience.
You’ve also included wildcard spots and an open jam. Why was that important to you?
With a strict 1v1 format and 16 riders, we’re limited in numbers. It was important to create opportunities for riders who might not yet have the visibility to receive an invite but absolutely deserve to be there. We created two online wildcard spots and an on-site open jam for that reason. Hopefully, in the future, we can expand to 32 riders and open the door even wider.
One of the most unique aspects is the crown. Where did that idea come from?
The name Rail Royale is inspired by the Battle Royale concept in gaming—last one standing wins. Instead of a traditional prize check board, I wanted something meaningful. Something a rider would proudly display at home. So we created a physical crown—one for women and one for men. There will only ever be one of each. Each year, the winner’s name will be engraved inside, and the crown will be passed on to the next champion. The winner becomes its guardian for one year. We’re taking a bit of a risk since they’re handmade and quite valuable. But I think that uniqueness makes the achievement even more special.
What does Rail Royale mean to you personally?
For me, it’s the opportunity to contribute to the community from the heart. It’s another step in my career and in my place within the industry. The trust from sponsors and partners means a lot to me. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity. It was a childhood dream to see a major Game of Skate-style event in Europe, done in this particular way. I’ve learned a lot from Street Jam and from my work on Rock a Rail, and I’ve tried to combine the best lessons into something new. The response so far—from riders, brands, media, and the industry has been incredible. That excitement makes me feel like we’re genuinely contributing something meaningful to the scene. And that has always been my goal.
For the latest updates, follow Rail Royale on Instagram
