Powder and Rails: Legends of Tahoe

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

MIKE CHANTRY: Woo.

This is 80--
no, this is 90.
Yeah, 90.
It's a team board.
All the team boards were black.
The earlier Sims boards--
all the teams were black, except for a very few protos
that were white.
And then, there's a couple of red ones that
are floating around.
Those are back in the archives.
And I've got another white one.
I was one of the original pipe guys.
Every contest, I was always in the pipe.
So I'd draft the pros and go, you want to ride?
Show up here.
After practices is done, be here with shovels.
When the cat guy's done, then we'll start shaping.
And then, the hips and all the rails, and stuff didn't come
around until like '90, '91--
just something different.
I went, oh cool-- a little twist on the original.
Because we didn't do that the first year or
the first three years.
[SOUND OF DIGGING]
MIKE CHANTRY: The pipe builder's job is never done.

TOM BURT: Mike Chantry, he was kind of like our father figure
to hold Tahoe's skate team together.
He had Mile High Ramp.
And he kind of took care of Terry, and was always at the
contests, and became a judge.
He's kind of like a local guy who put it all together for
people around here for quite a few years--
for our generation, basically.
MIKE CHANTRY: Hey, Don?
Don?
It's a lovely day.
Come on.
- [INAUDIBLE].
DONNIE: A lovely day in the neighborhood.
Here we are at Donner's Ski Ramp.
MIKE CHANTRY: Snowboarders and skiers can get along.

There's no way they're going to get their hands dirty.
Donnie and all them?
Doing this stuff?
That's why they have the machines.
DON BOSTICK: Donnie doesn't know what a shovel is.
Where's Frank Wells when you need him?
MIKE CHANTRY: Yup.
Frank would do--
He would kick ass on this.
DON BOSTICK: Yeah, Frank has definitely shoveled pipes.
This log would be about another 6 to 8
feet over my head.
MIKE CHANTRY: Or a dragon.
DON BOSTICK: This is like--
for a new pipe that's not even the top of a normal superpipe.
Request of Jeff Brushie-- he wanted it a little
bit deeper this year.
So we're trying to make trying to make Jeff happy, I think.
MIKE CHANTRY: Oh, Brushie is going to show?
DON BOSTICK: Yeah, he's in Reno for a poker tournament.
So he'll be here tomorrow.
MIKE CHANTRY: He's not going to injure his elbow at the
tournament, is he?
DON BOSTICK: Nah, Brush is good.

Tom Zekus, who's supposed to be here as the head
judge on that tour.
And then, Brushie's been doing X Games and Dew Tour for the
last few years.
Rippey is supposed to be here too digging.
Another guy--
the cool thing is taking pros like Rippey, Brushie and like
Yeom Morset--
who's got a US Open win behind him--
taking guys like that and bringing them into judging.
It brings more validity to the judging staff
at those big events.
TOM BURT: Don Bostick, who was a shop owner, but now he ran
Go Skate Or Go Home.
But then, he started some of the first
amateur snowboard series.
And then, he's been involved with skating.
He puts on X Games for snowboarding and all the big
skate contests also.
You name it.
And he's pretty much involved in all those.

MIKE CHANTRY: That's why we invented the pipe dragon, and
the Zog and everything else.
So we wouldn't have to come back and do this crap.
If anybody wants anything else, they know where the
shovels are.
In the morning, if they want to shovel
another run, go for it.
That's the way it was in the beginning.
If you didn't like it, there's a shovel.
Go dig it.
If you still don't like it--
T.S.
We'd come up, ride with the Cat guy, dig it out--
Tom Sims or myself.
And we got the first three pipes.
And then, everybody would show up to practice.
We'd all give out shovels.
And there'd be 30 to 50 guys with shovels running around
the pipe digging their own trannies and hits.
And one year, we wound up with like 100 hits, freeways all
over the pipe.
So even if you missed where you wanted to go, you still
had an option.
So there was options A through Z. Oh, I'm going
to sleep good tonight.

DON BOSTICK: I see the lines.
The lines going to be over there.
But at least it's a cleaned up [INAUDIBLE].
MIKE CHANTRY: Do you want an option?
DON BOSTICK: Yeah.
MIKE CHANTRY: Let's go.
And pop a little in here.
NORM SAYLER: When Don and Danielle Bostick came to
Donner Ski Ranch and came to work for me, I was the major
owner along with my wife and my family.
And I had a lot of stockholders.
And we were all home-bred stockholders.
This was just a family place.
The stockholders would come and help paint, fix, cook if I
needed a bartender, needed a dishwasher.
That's the way this place was in the original days.
When I took over in 1958, I got on the phone and called
all my friends and said, I'm running Donner's Ski Ranch--
help.
And they all showed up.
And that's how we got the place going.
But when Don and Danielle showed up, that was the start
of doing things.
And then, snowboarding came along.
And they stepped right into that.
Because they were skateboarders.
We went from 25,000 skier visits to
54,000 in three years.
That's how much it increased.
And all of that, basically, was snowboarding.
We didn't know this was going to happen.
Didn't have a clue.
Every snowboarder would show up with their snowboard and
their shovel.
And they'd start working on the pipe.
And what you're looking at is truly about what it was.
So everybody would put in their individual hit.
This was the place they're going to do
their trick and stuff.
And that's what it was.
And you can see today there was a lot of hand shovelling
on this pipe.
And that's what made it.
But I'm a little disappointed now.
Because it's kind of lost that really homegrown attitude that
it had early on, when the kids just came
hardcore to have fun.
They were all street wise.
They plain came and said--
I don't know if I can say this.
You can take it out--
they just plain said, fuck you.
We're going to have fun.
Leave us alone.
And I says, give me $10.
And I'll leave you alone all day long.
And this is kind of a place that really helped get it
started with them.
But without their help, it might have been a lot harder,
might have been a few years in coming.
But I don't think it would happened as quick.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

MIKE CHANTRY: We're going to make a warm-up.
-I can't wait.
-Who was the first [INAUDIBLE]?
MIKE CHANTRY: I was.

TOM BURT: The hardest part about the day-- trying to get
the Fastx buckles on.
I feel like the game?
I don't know.
Hopefully, the Fastx holds out through the day.
It is what?
25 plus year-old plastic?
You got no high backs.
Yeah?
Well, these are L.L.Bean throws.
They're actually the original ones I used to ride in.
All this has a metal edge and they inlaid.

DAVE SEOANE: See?
It's all coming back--
first run of the year.
It doesn't click in.
It clicked.
Here, come over here.
See this?
See that tree with that cliff right there?
That's the first cliff I ever went off,
probably 20 years ago.
That was the first cliff I ever went off.
It's probably about 15 feet.
And I thought it was like 115 feet--
the first one ever.
Did I land it?
No.
[INAUDIBLE]?
DAVE SEOANE: Yeah?
-You going out there on the top?
DAVE SEOANE: I'm scared.
Way up there?
-Way up there?
DAVE SEOANE: Altitude.
-Too scary?
DAVE SEOANE: I gotta train.

First rode of the year.
So we've got perfect weather, two to three mile an hour
nor-easterlys.
I think we're looking good.
OK, it's just like riding a bike, except for--
oh god.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

DAVE SEOANE: Look how far this pipe goes down.
It goes down for about a mile and a half.
I can't even get up one.
OK, we're going to try another one.

JEFF BRUSHIE: For real, dude, that is so
hard what he's doing.
I couldn't go down a pipe on a Backhill.
The only thing I'm thinking about on a Backhill is a
powdery field.
-Hence the name "Backhill."
JEFF BRUSHIE: I don't think that pipes were
around either then.
So it's not really meant to be.
So that's pretty gnarly.

[CHEERING]
JASON BORGSTEDE: Well, we're here at the Geritol Open and
running with some old timers, and talking about some of the
people that influenced me growing up.
And I would say, probably, at least of the people here, I
would say probably Chris Roach was the biggest for me.
When I first got into it, Fall Line Films was
the big film company.
And we'd watch those--
I mean, we're talking about films that were not half hour
little quick snippets of snowboard porn like they put
on now, like oh shot, shot shot.
Let's go.
Chris Roach was definitely one of those guys who had a sick
style that you didn't really see a lot
of yet to that point.
It was kind of like our transition out of the
neon era and stuff.
You had a guy who wore black stuff, who had tricks that
weren't just three back flips in a row.
It wasn't just grab the tip of your board.
It was stuff that looked real smooth and
made you want to snowboard.
And as far as I knew, I mean, that's the only reason I
wanted a Santa Cruz snowboard.
It was because Chris Roach was riding one, you know?

JEFF BRUSHIE: Chris what?
Chris Roach was always awesome.
-Should we?
We should probably wait for a second.
DAVE SEOANE: Yeah, get a little Roachie shot.
JEFF BRUSHIE: Get a Roachie shot.
DAVE SEOANE: Yeah, zoom in.
Zoom in.

[CHEERING]
JEFF BRUSHIE: He's still got the style.
DAVE SEOANE: That's rusty Roach, right there.
JEFF BRUSHIE: Yeah, but you could still see it.
DAVE SEOANE: Oo, that's kind of classic Roachie.
CROWD: Oh.
DAVE SEOANE: So innovative--
he's so innovative.
JEFF BRUSHIE: Everyone always respected Roach.
He's right up there at the top of the list for
all time best styles.
Jamie Lynn is up there.
Roach is up there.
Classic, method grasser style--
that was the Roach, you know?
Just a sick style overall.

JASON BORGSTEDE: Jeff Brushie too.
Brushie was our pipe guy, you know?
Funny story about Jeff Brushie--
when I was a kid growing up in Alaska, it was well known that
Jeff Brushie loved McDonald's anyway.
But he came up to Alaska, when the Trout Board came out, to
do an autograph signing.
And we ran to the autograph signing, saw him.
And then, he's like oh, I'll be riding tomorrow at
Hatcher's Pass--
you know, a hiking spot early in the year?
So we get up there, I guess, maybe like 20 minutes after
what he said he would be there.
But you know, we're figuring everybody will hike all day.
And right when we get there, Brush is coming down the hill.
And we're like, yes, Jeff Brushie.
And we're like, what's up man?
And he's like, oh, I'm going to McDonald's.
And we're like, all right.
I guess we missed it.
-I remember it being either really cold or bad conditions.
JASON BORGSTEDE: Yeah, it was pretty bony.
It's like the beginning of the year.
It's October and stuff.
So there's rocks and stuff.
And we were little kids.
So we had ultimate rock star expectations of him.
So we thought, OK, he's a pro.
He's going to want to ride all day long.
And he's going to do every trick perfect.
And he's going to do it 10 times.
And then, he's going to give us all free stuff.
That's what we thought at that time.
And then he's like, so you guys can come hang out at
McDonald's if you want.
And we were like, aw man.
So, of course, we went to McDonald's when we were done.
JEFF BRUSHIE: You know what?
I still have a deep love for it.
And sometimes, I get the cravings for it.
But I try to stay away from it.
I don't eat beef no more.
I just eat chicken.
And it's kind of mystery chicken at McDonald's.
JASON BORGSTEDE: It's the hot dog of chicken.
JEFF BRUSHIE: Every now and then, on a road trip, I'll
stop in for a six-piece.

JASON BORGSTEDE: Long live The Trout.
[PUNK ROCK MUSIC]

[CHEERING]
-Sick, Mike!

MIKE BASICH: I like to support and be a part
of the Legend thing.
Just because it's a part of our history that most everyone
today has no idea.
Every kid doesn't know that you used to not be able to
have vert in a half pipe.
Even though it's on a small scale of contest, it helps
people remember what it was like.
And riding an old board, you ride like it was back then.
Technology is a huge impact on how the style is of our
snowboarding now.
It's good.
I like seeing everybody again and hearing
what they're up to.
You kind of get to see who really stuck with it, as far
as a passion, who still rides.
Like Chris Roach, he rides at Sugar Bowl all the time.
It's neat.
It's the only event I know of to really
gather everyone together.
[CHATTERING]
DAVE SEOANE: Can you just photoshop this?
Kinda nervous.
Are you guys nervous?
-Nah, I'm OK.
DAVE SEOANE: Yeah?
- [INAUDIBLE].
- [INAUDIBLE]

ANNOUNCER: There's a trooper.
This guy [INAUDIBLE] facial hair.
[CHEERING]
ANNOUNCER: Coming out with a [INAUDIBLE], Dave Seoane.
[CHEERING]
ANNOUNCER: Binding this, does he want to
call his binding strap?
[CHEERING]

-See do we have Jim Rippey?
-We got him right here.
[CHATTERING]
-OK, you're next, Jim.
-Yeah, Rippey.
JEFF BRUSHIE: Watch out.
You're gonna feel it for a week.
JIM RIPPEY: I already feel it.
Do you?
-OK, go.
JIM RIPPEY: We good?
-You're good.
Jim.
-And then, Rocker?
-And then, Rocker.
[CHEERING]

SHAWN FARMER: Dude, my stance was like this.
I was just like--
actually, my board was sweet.
But that stance was like--
I'm all, you've got to be kidding me.
It was like, I swear it was like 15 or 16 inches.
I was just like, wow.
-On each tail?
SHAWN FARMER: Yeah, it was silly.
-Like you had to steer like that?
To do a turn, like the tail just did not want--
SHAWN FARMER: Yeah, you could get a turn.
But you gotta wait for it to come around.
-You good show in there?
SHAWN FARMER: Yeah, I remember that line.
That snow was so great, man.
Like you could have done that all day in there.
I mean, you could of done a couple of drops and stuff--
that was sweet-- in there.
That was great snow, man.
-I don't know how they [INAUDIBLE].

-Woh.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

-Nice.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

TOM BURT: It's all good.
-That looked really good.
TOM BURT: Not bad for an '84 year.
-Not bad at all.
TOM BURT: No highbacks.

I got to go hit the roller.
Let's do that hillside [INAUDIBLE].
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]


TOM BURT: All right, I got to take a quick lunch break.
I need to get some food.
I haven't eaten anything all day.
[CHATTERING]
DON BOSTICK: In the room--
Italians do not lie on American soil.
It's got to be great wearing-- this goes to Tina.
-Open it up.
Drink it.
DON BOSTICK: Well, stay right there, Mike.
Because we have a double B here.
Mike Basset is winning the men's event today, and $300,--
[CHEERING]
DON BOSTICK: --and a bottle of wine from [INAUDIBLE].
-Open it up.
And drink it.
-Bust it out.
-Open it up.
DON BOSTICK: $300 tonight in cash.
[CHEERING]

DON BOSTICK: So Mike, what do you think it was that put you
over the top?
That J-Tear or what?
MIKE GOSSET: I can definitely feel a J-Tear the most out of
anything right now.
[LAUGHTER]
MIKE GOSSET: So I'm going to go hire a chiropractor
-Two for one.
DON BOSTICK: All right, the basset is on top today.
Give it up.
[CHEERING]
DON BOSTICK: I'll give you a hint.
He's from Grass Valley.
[CHEERING]
DON BOSTICK: Chris Roach, everybody.
[CHEERING]
CHRIS ROACH: How much money?
DON BOSTICK: $150.
TOM COLLINS: You got money.
Second.
DON BOSTICK: Second place.
Chris Roach, what do you got to say to your fans out there?
CHRIS ROACH: Thank you for being here.
[INAUDIBLE].
Thanks for coming.
We had a great time.
[CHATTERING]
DON BOSTICK: Give it up for Chris Roach.
A class act, right there.
Always a pleasure to see him out there.

OK, third place--
Jason Borgstede.
[APPLAUSE]

JASON BORGSTEDE: I would like to say a
few thank yous though.
Because there are people who came out today, like
[INAUDIBLE] and Chris Roach, who were kind of my heroes
when I was coming up.
And it was pretty awesome to see these guys
snowboarding, you know?
And I'd also like to thank Tom Collins for the best
impersonation of a hot dog today.
[LAUGHTER]
[CHEERING]

DON BOSTICK: Ladies and gentlemen, Jason Borgstede.
We're going to get into our awards presentation.
It's for the Legends of Tahoe Snowboarding.
I was pretty excited that Damian Sanders said that he
would be here.
Damian was the guy that married Playmate of the Year.
He went out there.
And he was the rock star.
One of the first rock stars of snowboarding, Damian Sanders,
we are honoring him this year.
Unfortunately, he was injured on the motorcycle just a
couple of weeks ago.
Damian Sanders could not be here with us.
We've got a nice crotch rocket.
And we'll be sending this to him.
Legendary-- in fact, if he was here he would've won the
[INAUDIBLE] clearly with that shot right there.
What do you think?
OK, I'm going to open up the mic.
I'm sure Joe has got something to say about this guy.
Come on up, Joel.
I'm putting you on the spot to talk about Keith Kimmel.
JOEL GOMEZ: I have a lot of memories here in snowboarding.
Mike Chantry is a big memory.
Because we used to stay at Chantry's house.
But this is about Keith Kimmel.
Bob Klein, Keith Kimmel, Terry Kidwell, Allan Arnbruster.
These are all guys that I rode with back in '81, '82, '83,
'84, early '80s.
And Keith looked a little bit like Dave Seoane,
except Keith is taller.
And Keith is a really good skateboarder.
I don't know if Davie can skateboard at all.
Anyway, for Keith Kimmel.
-Cover the first snowboarding magazine.
[CHEERING]
[CHATTERING]

SHAWN FARMER: I'll sound check.
[CHEERING]
SHAWN FARMER: Check.
Check.
Check.
We're trying to use soundcheck dude, but.
- [INAUDIBLE].
SHAWN FARMER: [INAUDIBLE].
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]