smokinthegathering-1.jpg

words: Binky

Last week in Vermont, Smokin Snowboards welcomed its east coast shops to come up to the first Smokin The Gathering at Jay Peak. Growing up down the road at his father Ted Quintin’s lodge, Grampa Grunts, Jay was the first snowboarder at Jay Peak and it was time we made a trip back to shred his old stomping grounds. We made this a perfect opportunity to have folks come out and shred our new boards and let loose with the folks that make Smokin Snowboards happen.

After being picked up at the airport in the Grampa Grunts/Smokin Snowboards Limo, we decided to go check out where they used to make Burton Snowboards and take a look at the Craig Kelly studio. It was a Sunday so there wasn’t much going on there, but it was rad to see where American snowboarding started. Much respect to Craig, despite what the sticker on the limo said.

smokinthegathering-3.jpg
Smokin Jay & our Coiffure Karie Quintin at the Burton Headquarters

smokinthegathering-5.jpg
Yeah, we parked this right outside the Burton 40% off showroom

It was a typical day in Montgomery, so I was told, rain and gray skies. The forecast was calling for our first day on hill to be mostly Sunny and we were treated to one of the nicest days of the year. So after a dinner from Ted we had our evening set with a keg of Pabst and the run of the lodge. Grampa Grunts is an amazing place if you have never been. The rustic, Bunk style lodge has 15 rooms and sleeps 55 which makes it perfect for groups or folks looking for a bed and the breakfast of your dreams. The Basement is an open room complete with Bar and refrigerator as well a a pool table, dart boards, and a speaker setup ready to blast your favorite drinking music.

smokinthegathering-6.jpg

After the most epic breakfast filled with biscuits and sausage gravy, waffles and pancakes with Vermont maple syrup, omelette’s bagels, cereal, fruit, and anything you wanted, we headed up to the hill for a great day of shred at Northern Vermont’s Finest.

They couldn’t groom the night before due to the spring conditions in mid April, but we were still shredding 100% coverage with all trails open and having a blast on the new Smokin gear. We were stoked to have our reps from the Mid-Atlantic and Quebec regions come out for a great couple days with our shops and folks that really make Smokin Snowboards happen. We were completely stoked to be able to Shred Jay peak with such amazing conditions. So, after turning screws all day I headed up to the mini park where Joe Tasca from Jay Peak park staff raked and shoveled us a few features to play around on.

smokinthegathering-9.jpg
Blunt slide on the new 2011/2012 Smokin Hooligan

smokinthegathering-12.jpg
The Joakim Rassmussen Team Model 148

smokinthegathering-15.jpg
The New Linup of Smokin Snowboards

The guys from Quebec, New York, Jersey, and PA were stoked to be able to press our boards out a little. We just went up and messed around on the flat down box, rainbow rail, and battleship rail. Day two was a bit more wet and gray, and I didn’t get up until noon due to the Meatloaf sing-along and Jack Daniels appearance the night before so we didn’t get many photos from day two.

smokinthegathering-17.jpg
Oscar the beer drinking bar stool hopping dog

I had a little too much fun in the snow shoe bar and grill the night before, but we did end up shredding until 4 and it was a great free ride all over the mountain. Jay Peak is riddled with all sorts of little things stashed here and there you can jump off of as well as steeps and glades you can hike during the mass of pow storms they get up there near Canada.

smokinthegathering-18.jpg
Ted and Brad Quintin

We had a great time at the First Smokin Gathering and we are looking forward to doing an even bigger event there next year where we can have anyone and everyone who wants to come on out and have fun. We will have discounted lift tickets and discounted rooms available for those who want to come on out and enjoy themselves at Jay peak with the Smokin Crew. I need to give a huge thanks to Ted, Brad, and Karie from Grampa Grunts, Bill Stenger, JJ and Joe from Jay Peak. We appreciate everything, and a big thanks to the folks of Montgomery and The Snow Shoe for showing us a good time and we will see you next season!

Check out SmokinSnowboards.com and email info@smokinsnowboards for more info on next years gathering.