(check below the pictures for French version)
We had talked about the idea at summer camp; doing a Newschoolers photoshoot
somewhere. Not a big event, just a few of us getting together and shooting some
pictures and video. One of the other diggers, JA Maehu decided that he had some
connections and would run with the idea. Chris and I thought it was crazy, as
what mountain would ever get this organized for us with the small budget we
had?
JA, along with Ben Cormier (mystic lands productions) had a contact at a small
mountain outside of Montreal, known as Val St. Come. I had only been there once
before, at the D-structure Jam that took place in April last year. It's not
like other mountains where it's over-crowded and there's corporate logos assaulting
you everywhere you look. It's a nice small place with cheap poutine and massive
jumps.
JA, Paul and I arrived to the mountain at 4:00pm on Sunday, after winding around
on the sketchy Quebec roads for an hour. Waiting for us was Francois Chervier,
who was our contact at the mountain. He was extremely helpful and friendly,
handing us our tickets for the evening so we could inspect the jump.
The first jump in the park was the biggest by far. Estimating by ski lengths,
we figured it was somewhere between 55-60 feet in length. Only problem: The
landing looked flat. We knew that there was only one way to really know, and
that was hit it.
It was REALLY flat.
After learning this lesson the hard way, we promptly headed in to consume as
much poutine and beer as possible. Francois brought to our feast the head of
grooming to discuss the jump. We explained to him that the jump had a beautiful
shape. It did, the takeoff was super smooth, the inrun was perfect, the table
was a good length, the landing was just flat. That night the cats went to work,
and we retreated to JA's place nearby to meet up with the rest of the crew.
Once the fire was lit, popcorn made and beers opened, we relaxed on the couch
getting our muscles ready for the next day. Sitting on that couch passing around
the joy, we all grew enthusiastic towards what we were going to do the next
day. I ended up sleeping on a couch too short for me in all my ski cloths. That's
what you get for passing out before bed assignments...
The next morning we woke up and drove straight to the mountain. We all ordered
an extremely well-priced and tasty breakfast from the cafetiera, sat down, enjoyed
it, and readied ourselves for skiing.
The list of skiers had grown, JA and myself were joined by Frank Raymond, Dom
Legare, Georges Perron, Antoine Gangier and Phil Warren. The media list had
also grown quite a bit, joining Paul on the slopes was Ben Cormier (Mystic Lands),
Fred Larue (Advance Vision), as well as a few of the staff of Val St. Come who
showed up to watch the action.
The jump had grown over night, and the flat landing had been fixed. Due to
the genious cat work by the staff at the mountain, the jump was a good 70' with
a landing that would do just fine
The best part about getting there that morning was seeing that the entire terrain
park had been closed for us to shoot on the one jump. I would like to give a
HUGE thank-you to Francois Chevrier and all the staff at VSC for being so helpful
towards us. It's my new favorite resort!. With the closed park, sun shining,
and fresh corderoy on everything there the mood of the crew soared. Everybody
took a few runs to get the speed right, as we had to straightline from above
the top of the park to get the jump. I'm really glad I didn't guinea it, as
my inrun theory was off by about 70 feet. It would have been an extremely comedic
splatter well before the knoll. I hate judging speed.
After the speed was figured out, everybody quickly started throwing some mellow,
stylish tricks. Style seems to be something that comes naturally to these Quebecers,
with rotations up to 5 being thrown with every kind of grab imaginable. As the
day progressed, there were some more technical tricks thrown as well, but for
the most part it was a day of mellow style.
The overall day was what I believe this sport is all about. No competition,
no judges, no pressure. Just a few guys throwing tricks that feel good to them.
If you have a chance, check out Val St. Come, it's a great little resort with
the biggest jumps around. There's a D-Camp happening there at the end of March.
Check here
for more info!
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. Thanks to Paul Stanisci
for shooting!
The House we stayed in.
Georges Perron
Antoine Gagnier
Dom Legare
Phil Warren
Frank Raymond
Doug Bishop
JA Maheu
Lors de l'été dernier nous avions lancé l'idée d'organiser un photoshoot pour
NS, en quelque part, peu importe où, rien de gros, juste une gang de chums pour
shooter. JA Maheu avait des connaissances àquelques stations de la région de
Montréal, donc Maheu et moi, Doug, pensions que s'était une excellente idée,
contrairement àChris qui croyait qu'aucune montagne organiserait un photoshoot
avec le peu de budget que l'on disposait.
Appuyé de Ben Cormier (Mystic Land Productions) qui connaissait quelqu'un
de la station Val St-Côme, àune heure trente de Montréal, le processus s'enclencha…
Je n'y était allé qu'une seule fois auparavant pour le D-structure jam en
avril dernier. Val St-Côme est un secret bien gardé, où l'attente aux chaises
est presque inexistante, les sauts immenses et la poutine pas chère!
Paul, Maheu et moi sommes arrivés 4 :00pm dimanche, pour rencontrer le directeur
du marketing de Val St-Côme , Francois Chévrier. Il fut extrêmement aimable
et nous permis d'aller inspecter le saut.
La première pyramide du parc était définitivement la plus grosse. Estimée
àpeu près à55-60 pieds. Le seul problème était que le landing avait l'air
flat. Le seul moyen de le savoir était de l'essayer… c'était vraiment flat!!!
Après avoir appris la lecon , on se dirigea au bar pour discuter des solutions
. Francois nous présenta alors Jocelyn, l'artiste responsable de damer le parc.
On lui expliqua le problème et il nous promis de wincher le landing. La nuit
venue, les dameuses allèrent au travail, tandis qu'on retrait au chalet de Maheu
non loin de là. Dès que la bière fut poppée l'atmosphère se relaxa et l'enthousiasme
pour le lendemain était àson comble.
Le matin déjàarrivé, je me réveillai dans un lit trop court pour moi et dans
mon ensemble de ski… On se dirigea alors directement àla montagne.
La cafétéria nous attendais avec d'excellents déjeuners plus qu'abordables
les uns que les autres. Puis, on se prépara mentalement pour aller affronter
notre premier gros saut de l'année.
La liste de skieurs s'était allongée depuis cet été, JA Maheu et moi étions
joints maintenant de Franck Raymond, Phil Warren, Dom Légaré, Antoine Gagnier
et Georges Perron. La liste des médias s'était elle aussi allongée, joints de
Paul (new schoolers), Ben Cormier (Mystic Land), Fred Larue (Advance Vision
- Pléhouse) et Christian Tremblay (ski presse), puis de quelques membres des
employés de la station qui se pointèrent pour regarder l'action.
La pyramide avait grossit pendant la nuit et le landing était beaucoup mieux
grâce au travail exceptionnel de Jocelyn. Le saut s'étalait maintenant à70-75
pieds. Le meilleur dans tout ca, c'est que le parc était fermé ànotre exclusivité.
J'aimerais remercier grandement la collaboration de Francois Chévrier et des
employés de Val St-Côme pour s'être impliqués d'avoir appuyés notre projet,
c'est maintenant ma nouvelle montagne préférée.
Avec le parc ànotre ànotre disposition, le soleil, le corde du roi au rendez-vous
et quelques speed checks plus tard, la session débuta. Je suis content de ne
pas avoir été le premier àsauter, car ma théorie était dans le champs de 70
pieds.
La session étant ouverte, tout le monde commenca àse péter des trucs bien
stylish. Le style est vraiment quelque chose qui vient naturellement àces Québecois,
avec des rotations allant jusqu'àdes 5 avec toutes les sortes de grabs.
Plus la session progressa, plus les trucs devenèrent techniques, mais en général
ce fut une journée de gros style bien relax.
L'ensemble de la journée, je crois, fut véritablement ce que notre sport est
: une gang de chums qui s'amusent àfaire des trucs qu'ils aiment, sans juges
ni pression.
Si vous avez une chance, rendez-vous àVal St-Côme, c'est une merveilleuse
petite montagne avec les plus gros sauts du coins!!!
Renseignez-vous sur newschoolers pour plus de détails concernant la tenue
prochaine du D-JAM
àVal St-Côme en mars prochain.
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