The World Quarter Pipe Championships- A Celebration of Transition and Fire

Since the late 90s, before the complete redesign and deconstruction of snowboard contests according the needs of TV and the interests of the large corporate sponsors footing the bill, a “world-class” event was created by a couple magazine editors at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire that would forever change snowboarding. On what was probably a gray spring day in March, 1998, the World Quarterpipe Championships were born.

Over the years, snowmobiles have been stolen from ski patrol, inflatable pools have been ridden on the hill, board bags full of beer have been dragged up the mountain, Ross Power's Olympic-winning board has been thrown on the fire, hotels have evicted everyone associated with the event, and “contestants” have been pelted with snow and ice as they jump a bonfire on the run-in. It was, and still is, a lawless event run by snowboarders for snowboarders. After a three-year hiatus, the gauntlet fire was re-ignited last March at Tim and Chris Waker's Timber Ridge for some much-needed celebration of snowboarding.

Once again, 2009 will see the World Quarters back at Timber Ridge, the lawless private resort owned and operated by the Wakers. With the support of the Rome SDS, Red Bull, Oakley, Iceberg and co-founder Pat Bridges, the stage is set for a new rider to be added to the list of legends that have held the title of the best Quarterpipe Rider in the world.
The World Quarters an event that defines the word “open”: any rider, international pro or random kid from Jersey, is free to drop in and compete. There are no VIP tents, no media credentials, no invitation lists and no bag searches to worry about. The mayhem is set to unfold on Monday March 23rd at Timber Ridge. Will Kevin Casillo or Shane Flood make an appearance to try to reclaim their fame of years past? Will the Magic Mountain Motel allow us back as patrons? We'll see.

Who: International pros, local shreds, vagrants
What: Quarterpipe, The Gauntlet, Mini Shred, Pat Bridges Handplants, Snowmobiles, Party, After-party
Where: Timber Ridge Private Resort on the backside of Magic Mountain in Londonderry, VT
When: Monday March 23rd 2009 – All day
Why: For fun.
How: Free bus shuttle from Magic Mountain parking lot

Past Champions:
98 – Jeff Billo
99 – Shawn Durst
00 – Shane Flood
01 – Guy Deschennes
02 – Shane Flood
03 – Kevin Casillo
04 – Scotty Lago
05 –no-event
06 –no-event
07 –no-event
08 – Bode Merrill

Check www.romesnowboards.com for directions, and more details on the up-coming World Quarterpipe Championships.