Considered a holy shrine of snowboarding by some, few are those who get past the gates of the DC Mountain Lab. Located in the back hills near Park City, Utah, Ken Block and DC have created a near-perfect microcosm of snowboarding, complete with a rope-tow accessed park, air bag for progression, giant house that's party-friendly and all manner of motorized toys for down time. I say near-perfect because to the best of my knowledge, they haven't finished the heli-pad with access to their own private mountain range*. But not just anyone gets to sample these delights. Two large motorized gates keep weekend warriors at bay, making sure your welcome is by invitation-only.

Earlier this winter, by virtue of being DC team riders, Andrew Geeves, Logan Haubrich, Max Honegger and Rupert Davies got their golden tickets punched and spent 10 days with the Lab to themselves (with the exception of filmer Ryan Slizack, DC Canadian TM Nick Moore, the park staff and some passers-by). While we're waiting for the video footage to surface, Nick Moore tested Rupert Davies' memory of their stay, although I doubt anyone will forget their trip anytime soon.

Nick Moore: Of the riders who were on this trip who did you come closest to?
Rupert Davies: Max Honegger for sure! Buddies for life.

Max and Rupert on the sled.

What was best part about waking up at the DC Mtn. Lab?
The espresso machine and air bag smoke sessions.

There's the air bag of it.

How was the weather?
Amazing, sunny everyday. Super dry for a west coast kid.

Park on the left, house and air bag on the right.

Were there any visitors outside of your crew?
Antho and Chris Eacott from Bozwreck...um, f**kin' Scotty Arnold, Neil Provo aka "Lil' Steeze" from the Technine vids, Aaron Biittner, the park teddy bear Evan Drange, aka the "White Ginger Rahim"...haha.

Max Honegger with one on lock.

Who is Cheez Burga?
He was the very aggressive park manager who can open a beer can with his thumb.

Burga bustin' a beer with his thumb.

Was this your first time using a snowmobile?
Pretty much. Super scary 4-strokes. Let's just say they got rolled a few times...hahaha.

Case in point.

What was your favorite feature?
The hip, by far. It was a super well-built medium-sized launcher.

Rupert and the hip.

How did you kill time when you were not boardin'?
Far too much Skate 2, haha. Laughing at [Andrew] Geeves and Logan [Haubrich], aka "The Parrot".

You can't ride all the time.

Can you explain Logan's nickname: "Parrot"?
OH-KAY! It was the worst rap loop I have ever heard from some ‘New Money' mixtape in the DC truck. Geeves' shadow...Logan - get well soon!

How is the beer out there?
Weak, but the Coors in the cream coloured cans with the vent is tasty. Bring that into Canada!

Now with "vent" technology.

One thing you wish you could have changed?
It would have been nice if I didn't concuss myself. And the Utah "hot pow" kinda sucked...haha.

Finally, any shout outs/people you would like to thank?
Nick Olsen, Sean Lake, Ginger Hyndman (for giving us directions last minute), Cheez Burga, Riley and Evan Drange for hooking it up, Shawna Olsten, and you...thanks Nick, haha.

Geeves, mid plant.

All photos: Nick Moore

Keep an eye out for an edit dropping from Sandbox, and check out the Sandbox blog for more photos.

And if you want to know more about the DC Mtn. Lab, check out this video on the DC Site, or seek out the two Mtn Lab DVDs, you won't be disappointed.

*This may just be me dreaming. But I wouldn't put anything past Ken Block.

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Related:
New Kid: Rupert Davies
Andrew Geeves: Eyes On The Prize