By the late 80’s the snowboarding communities’ core followers had started moving to Whistler to see for themselves if it lived up to tales. Leaving the comforts of home, work, and girlfriends, they banded together in the cheapest accomodation available. This often meant 2 to a room, no toilet paper, and only beer in the fridge. Given the hope of a brighter future, or at least unlimited powder to be shared with new friends, many gave in to the higher calling and headed west. Once there they met others who were equally as determined to snowboard everyday and progress the sport. It was this combination of location and timing that set the explosive and progressive scene that would put Whistler on the map as the epicenter of Canadian snowboarding. If you wanted to go pro, you moved to Whistler.

Below: The front porch of “The Snoboard House” in Whistler. Three different Craig Kelly prototypes belonging to Alex Warburton
and Jeff Brushie as well as the debris from the lives of a dozen or so young snowboarders. Photo: John Kamitakahara.