In mid-October every
year, as autumn in Ontario starts to kick in, thousands of retailers and
consumers from across the province make their way down to the Toronto Ski, Snowboard
& Travel Show for deals, video premieres, and general debauchery.
Brands seize this
opportunity to showcase their snowboarders in the public eye, bring in pros from
Whistler, Ontario...all over the world. Autograph signings, retailer visits, and
interviews are all part of the job for pro snowboarders, especially in October
when new videos are launching, there is product to be bought, and the snow is
not yet on the ground to ride.
It's a vicious cycle,
but somebody has to do it. During the course of the Snow Show we tracked down
some of the big names that were lurking around Toronto for the weekend. Jon
Kooley, Eero Ettala, and Ben Bilocq were all signing their names for Nitro. Making
appearances in conjunction with video premieres were Will Lavigne and Alex
Cantin, rounding out the Quebec connection. All the usual Ontario suspects were
around even though many of them have made the westward migration. The Snow Show
has become a regular last hoorah for Ontario riders to catch up with sponsors
and friends before returning west in time for Whistler's opening day.
Instead of the usual
sit-down interview, we shoved a microphone in their faces and demanded to know
the answers to what everyone should and shouldn't ride, eat, drink, listen to, and
more. Enjoy.
Adam Chuntz, Jesmond Dubeau and David Brocklebank.
One place everyone should ride:
Jon Kooley: Alaska.
Brad Gauley: Baldface.
Ben Bilocq: Japan, but I haven't ridden there yet.
Will Lavigne: Whistler backcountry.
Adam Chuntz: Fernie.
Eero Ettala: Japan.
Dave Brocklebank: Whistler.
Jesmond Dubeau: Keystone.
Cory Gallon: Steve's backyard.
Blair McKinney: Steve's backyard
Steve Cartwright: Steve's backyard.
Scot Brown: Blackcomb.
Andrew Skelhorn: Ontario.
Alex Cantin: Japan.
One video everyone
should watch:
Jon Kooley: Love/Hate
Brad Gauley: Happy
Hour.
Ben Bilocq: TB4.
Will Lavigne: Afterbang.
Adam Chuntz: Simple
Pleasures.
Eero Ettala: Dumb and
Dumber.
Dave Brocklebank: Bozwreck
2.
Jesmond Dubeau: Biodome.
Cory Gallon: Vertical
Limits.
Blair McKinney: Wedding
Crashers.
Steve Cartwright: The Life
Aquatic.
Scot Brown: People.
Andrew Skelhorn: 1999.
Alex Cantin: Afterbang.
One food everyone
should eat:
Jon Kooley: Poutine.
Ben Bilocq: Poutine.
Will Lavigne: Sushi.
Adam Chuntz: Pizza.
Eero Ettala: Poutine.
Dave Brocklebank: Pizza.
Jesmond Dubeau: [censored - but take a guess, you'll figure
it out]
Cory Gallon: Sushi.
Blair McKinney: Steak dinner.
Steve Cartwright: Oatmeal.
Scot Brown: Pasta.
Andrew Skelhorn: Whopper.
Alex Cantin: Mexican.
One drink everyone
should swallow:
Jon Kooley: Water.
Ben Bilocq: Rum and Coke.
Will Lavigne: Rum and Coke.
Adam Chuntz: Jack Daniels.
Eero Ettala: Whiskey and honey.
Dave Brocklebank: Jack Daniels.
Jesmond Dubeau: Jack Daniels.
Cory Gallon: Coconut Water.
Blair McKinney: Regular water.
Steve Cartwright: Van Gogh.
Scot Brown: Beer.
Andrew Skelhorn: Tahiti Treat.
Alex Cantin: Gin and Tonic.
(keep reading for trends no one should follow, riders to watch out for, and bands you should hear)