I was in New Zealand, in Wanaka exactly. Zoe an English girl I met in Singapore (later she would be my neighbor in the plane) introduce me to these two Swiss guys (because they would speak French, and at that time they were actually the only people who could speak French in Wanaka).
That was their first travel, and aged of only 18 years old. I was 25 and really, I was impressed, because they could not really speak a word of English. By the way, we (me. Steve and Yann) rode together in Cardrona and Treble Cone, and we would meet regularly around Christchurch to get inked, and Auckland waiting for our planes, that was funny to see that fate was always present to make us meet in a country so far from Europe (I agree it’s very small one).
I didn’t know where to go next winter but I wanted a full year of snow (my endless winter) so I decided to go to Switzerland and meet them in Villars.
I remember, that they had ISBC (for Imagine Snow Board Club) stickers every where. This was their crew, and I immediately wanted to be part of it. They told me it was like a mafia, so not everyone could get in.
Late November, after a short stop in France to get my car, here I am in Villars. I manage to get a job as liftie, and a flat that would cost me almost half of my pay.
Steve and Yann were still in Australia for new adventures so here, I didn’t know anyone of the crew. Parties after parties, ride after ride, I was getting into the mafia. They accepted me as one of them, like if I knew them since ever.
Today I’m in. I’m living here in Switzerland even if I’m still a NFA. I got my friends here and they count as much as my brotherhood in France and Portugal.
I really feel like in my family.
This crew was born in Villars, a family resort, part of Les Alpes Vaudoises ( a joint venture of many resorts as Leysin, Les mosses, Les Diablerets and its Glacier pointing at 3300 meters, see my next article dedicated to it soon). All these guys know each other since childhood, and are a bunch of freestyler freaks addicted but no rails or kick were available.
So they decided to do something.
For being working here on the lifts I can tell you how stupid our director was, we couldn’t see each other, and I swear I could have killed him with a shovel.
Getting a snow park was a hard thing, because that was not the politics of the resort, axed on families, and of course in a rich resort like Villars nobody wants to see a lot of baggy pants riders, which is not politically correct regards to old customers.
So we made a deal. You don’t give us a penny, but you allow us to build our own snow park.
We did it, a small portion of terrain was attributed, and So John was the designated shaper to care about the landings of the three different kicks for all levels.
Then we made a calendar, and a few sponsors helped us to earn some money to buy steel, for rails. Oliver designed them and build them like a pro. We had a rainbow, a rail of 10 meters that can be divided in two rails of 5 meters, and an up, flat, down.
The 1884 park was born.
Of course, a growing success of the park started interesting the director ( strange how baggy riders were so attracting). Finally he would buy us a C-rail, another one would be provided by a local shop.
We asked to our local sponsors (local supermarket, carpentry societies) to finance a box of 6 meters, and a flat down box of 1 ton, made of wood in the Wehren factory, and built by some of the crew who are carpenters.
For next year we will probably have an extension of terrain, so we will be able to build a huge kicker.
Each year for 5 years we have been organizing the ISBC Contest. It’ a part of the Swiss Air Project ( a competition that runs in 5 different resort and the rider who gets a maximum m of points in the five rows is the final winner). This year, on the 12th march, weather was really tough but we made it with a good ambiance.
At night there is the ISBC party. Here in Switzerland the resorts are so close that all the other crews come easily and the atmosphere is really friendly and it’s a good opportunity to get (girls) contacts.
We call it a Mafia because it’s a true organization based on friendship, everyone has something to do here, we all have different skills that make it run.
No matter, some people can say but ISBC is proud to change his name for Imagine Snowboard and free ski club. and to welcome skiers in tha crew.
Way to access Villars
Once in Geneva at the airport, take the highway to Lausanne, then Aigle. Once in Aigle just follow Villars, as simple as that.
Price of lift ticket : 60 chf like 45 dollars US. About 900chf for the season, and allows you to ride all the resort of Les Alpes Vaudoises including the Glacier. All the different resorts have a park. Leysin is part of the Nescafe tour you probably seen pics of the huge pipe with this massive rock in the background.
Easy accomodation and cheap : Chalet Martin, 110 chf for the week in a dorm. Great chicks coming from the globe here.
Hope we will see ya, and enjoy our park.
ISBC reprezent.