Before his death, he was working to become the first fully certified snowboarding mountain guide, even working to open up the now-iconic Baldface Lodge. Craig spent a lot of time at the Pac West ski area (Hyak, WA) in 198586. 1985: 3 rd Halfpipe, Sierra Snowboarding. Host Lynn Neary talks with Jake Burton, owner of the Burton Snowboard Company about Craig Kelly, a champion snowboarder who was among those killed in an avalanche in British Columbia this . Subscribe to But back in 1988 during the court battle, Craig was mentally drained. Published in Whitelines Magazine Issue 95, February 2011, On the morning of the 21st of January in 2003,competitors, industry folk and spectators at the Burton European Open awoke to some sad news. While the case was pending, a judge required Craig to ride his Burton boards without graphics, which spawned the genius marketing of his first pro model, The Mystery Air, which became one of Burtons all time best-selling boards. If my riding doesnt feel technically perfect, exactly the way it should, I concentrate completely on the problem. Socially Awkward: Terje Haakonsen addresses the tweet heard round the action sports w Gretchen Bleiler with Conan O'Brian Tonight Show, Socially Awkward: Terje Haakonsen addresses the tweet heard round the action sports world, R.I.P. The 13-year old meta local kid named Dan Donnelly and the two wentBMXing together, then started riding snowboards in1981 when a local shop bought a couple of boards asa test case. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Hedging his bets, Craigjuggled schoolwork with a diary full of contests and astrict training regime. Our ability to see through the snowpack, and see what is happening everywhere with the snow in a given month is not possible.. He used to come up on Mondays when the ski area was closed and would set up gates with some of the workers and run them using a snowmobile to get back and forth. You dont even slow down for the tollbooth, paying instead with the tossed key to your office and the executive washroom. Press play for a hell ride through Helsinki. When I finally met him he turned out to be the best possible rolemodel. Just as Kelly redefined what it meant to be pro, he redefined how snowboard products were developed. They were just following me, s first publicized romances. News of Kelly's death sent shockwaves throughout the snowboarding community. A true legend, Jason "J2" Rasmus turned his persona into a professional "Snowboarding was born, lived, and died in the mid 1990s." In the world of snowboarding today, where most tricks look more like video games than real life, a long, slow, kicked-out method beats any triple-cork in the style department. Press play for a hell ride through Helsinki. I cant think of a bigger loss to the sport, and to all of us personally, says Jake Burton. His first published photos-one racing, and one in a halfpipe doing a tabletop (method) air-appeared on pages fourteen and fifteen. The four-time World Champion was literally the best of the best, and brought serious freestyle credibility to Burton. This cool kids outdoors club will introduce you to L.A.s best asset, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction, Burbank aborted landing was latest close call for U.S. flights. The 2019 Jackson Hole Shaper Summit, "Rewind: Salt Lake City" World Premiere Recap and Gallery, Mammoth Mountain Just Got Hit with 4.5 Feet of Snow, Introducing Polo Mens The Sport Shop Collection, K2 Snowboarding Presents | Antti Jussila for World Peace. His memory held strong last Friday as we rode straight onto the lift after the Canyon opened, giving us access to 14 inches of light, dry midweek powder. In 2003 Warren Miller dedicated a segment in his film titled "Journey" to Craig. In one of the most famous tales of his adventures, in 2000 he took a 14-month trip with his girlfriend, from Alaska to Chile, surfing and snowboarding his way through the Americas. I dont know anybody else that loved mountain riding as much as he did. He set a standard that many emulate today. Socially Awkward: Terje Haakonsen addresses the tweet heard round the action sports w Gretchen Bleiler with Conan O'Brian Tonight Show, Socially Awkward: Terje Haakonsen addresses the tweet heard round the action sports world, R.I.P. You need a place to change and store your stuff. [1] Kelly was working as a guide for two groups of backcountry adventurers organized by . Craig asked Tom, What do I do now that Im on the team? Tom replied, Keep doing what youre doing. It's not really "magazine friendly" in a traditional sense. The future of progressive snowboard designs is alive and well. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I almost feel bad telling others how idyllic Mt. But lately, what Kelly was really good at, and most passionate about, was, as he said, taking in the mountains, the pristine and powdery mountains. The slide was enormous, measuring about 150 feet wide and 300 feet long. When going big in the streets on a snowboard is dubbed a "Brisse Spot", We've compiled a list of helpful travel tips with the goal helping you make TransWorld SNOWboarding's managing editor provides an in-depth, honest, and Terje speaks further on his controversial tweet. Get our L.A. Jacob grew up with two siblings, philip a. The Craig Kelly World Snowboard Camp was created to help kids improve their snowboarding skills. It starts out simply and seductively. He blew out dozens of mattresses and broke boards monthly. Ill just get this little night job so I can buy gas, you hear yourself saying. We miss you immensely, Elmer. He won virtually everycompetition there was, including four world championship titles ina row, and along the way, helped shape, research and design manyof Burtons products. Craig is small in the frame and not facing the camera, but if you know ONE FUCKING THING about riding a snowboard you can see how absolutely bad ass this is. Madison Blackley, Ozzy Henning, Aspen Weaver, Nate Haust, Joey Leon and more! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hed be the living legend Id introduce my kids to some day, and theyd know immediately who he was because Id have already told them his story: Craig Elmer Kelly was born on April Fools Day-April 1, 1966. Well get you into some contests later on. Contests were just starting to be organized on the East Coast and in Tahoe, and Washington had yet to host a snowboarding event. It wont let you snowboard more because you ride every day and a car cant add days to the week. When he pivoted away from the contest spotlight and cash prizes, it was a shock at the time. In his interview, Craig showed the first signs of his upcoming switch from overall racer/freestyle guy to dedicated freestyle champion. Born on the 1st April 1966, Craigs lifetook a left turn when his family moved to Mt Vernonin Washington State in 1979. Subscribe to SNOWBOARDERs Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox. Okay, next time put more weight on your rear foot.'. Youve got to get away from your keys. Craig had starring, uncredited, roles in Siberia and P-Tex, Lies & Duct Tape, which were both Greg Stump films. A post shared by Steve Andrews (@whererusteve). Jake Burton is quoted as saying, When I started listening to Craig that was when my company became successful and really took off. He added, when the rest of the industry listened to Craig, that was when the sport really took off.. But Craig was a dedicated student with auniversity place lined up, and snowboarding thoughgrowing was hardly a career choice. In the latest issue of the quarterly magazine frequency -- the Snowboarders Journal, Kelly talked about recently completing a top-level avalanche safety and awareness course, required of professional guides and forecasters. Craig, fourteen at the time, was instantly hooked and talked his dad into fronting the money for his own Burton Backhill. Last Friday was the 20th anniversary of his death. They were just following me, my brother Dave, Don Schwartz, and Doug Lundgren, but they were the ones who got busted, and they never ratted us out. Craig and Keith, subsequently got banned from June Mountain for life, but that didnt last. Angela Sun has been named lead correspondent for Fox Sports Nets action sports show, 54321, which debuts Monday at 5 p.m. Leeann Tweeden, Chad Towersey and Kip Williamson are co-hosts of the first daily program devoted entirely to the five core, or action, sports: skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and motocross. He returned from his journey with his new baby Olivia, as a "souvenir" he said, from his trip. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). It was unveiled on 20 January 2013. Craig was responsible for the design and development of the following Burton signature models: The Mystery Air, The Craig Kelly Air, The CK Slopestyle, The Cascade, and The Omen. But its hard to concentrate on riding halfpipes because they arent at every ski area. On page eleven were the results of his first contest, which was also the first Mount Baker Banked Slalom, where Craig took fourth place behind Tom Sims, Terry Kidwell, and Ken Achenbach. Not just because of his snowboarding, but also for his lifestyle and love for the mountains. Craig got arrested with Keith (Duckboy) Wallace at the 1991 June Mountain Op Pro for riding off the lodges roof. His GPA at Mount Vernon High School was a 4.0, and the only student in his computer science class with a higher grade was his younger brother Brian, who was a freshman. SNOWBOARDER has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. He wanted to do it all, says photographer and friend Mark Gallup. He was part owner and on the board of directors of Island Lake Catskiing near Fernie B.C. Having Craig leaving us, he will still be my greatest mentor., Dave Downing also had this to say about Craig. They didn't come any bigger than Craig Kelly in the snowboarding world. At the time, an unheard of strategy for a pro snowboarder. He spent the remainder of his life riding for Burton Snowboards owned by Jake Burton Carpenter. When it was hoisted onto the H&M; Landing scale Sunday morning it was officially weighed at 310 pounds. Now that you have a job, girls know youre not a total loss and you end up with a girlfriend. Though he would claim that he didnt read the magazines orwatch snowboard films (What I do is really pretty independentof snowboarding, and the more independent it is, the more pure andbetter I feel about [it]) Burton clearly thought that he was hardwiredto understand the older generation of snowboarders. If Id come in and bother him, hed shhhh me because he was so focused., During an interview in the late 80s, Craig told Wiley Asher, an editor at International Snowboard Magazine, about his seriousness: When I train Im very analytical, and I constantly think about working a certain muscle group or perfecting a particular technique. Donations in memory of . Kelly is known as the 'Godfather of Freeriding'; Terje Hkonsen called Kelly the best snowboarder of all time. Craig was a Sims Snowboardsrider, founded by Tom Sims, from 1983 until 1987. Copyright a360media 2023. When I expressed interest in it, he tore the book in half-right down the spine-and said, Here, Ive already read this, Ill give you the rest before the end of the trip., After dinner that night, Craig asked if I thought the world was ready for a book about a snowboarder, and I replied, You want to write a memoir?. Craig appeared in Warren Miller movies for several consecutive years. By the end of that winter, Craig was sponsored by another local bike shop, The Bike Factory, which also carried snowboards made by Burton and the other top brand at the time, Sims. Learn more about Craig, and find out how you can support the Craig Kelly scholarship fund that helps snowboarders pursuing guide training as a career path through Avalanche Canada. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This latest tragedy -- its not the first and wont be the last -- is painful proof of that. Squaw Valley (Nov 1, 1989) near KT22 cat track, Huge powder dump and open on Halloween weekend. Im sure that for Craig thatwas the toughest part along with leaving Savina and Olivia., I met Craig in 1989, says Terje Haakonsen. During that era, he won four World Championships (1988-91) and three U.S. Open Championships (1987-89). By the end of his first season of competition, Craig had taken second place in two additional events and was itching for a win that came the following March at a Hyak, Washington banked slalom and then again in a slalom at the soon-to-be prestigious World Snowboarding Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado. Revelstoke, B.C., Canada, VOE 2S0; or via the Web at www.avalanche.ca. Donations in memory of Craig Kelly can be sent to the Canadian Avalanche Association, P.O. The soft-spoken 36-year-old, often described as the Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky of snowboarding, was one of seven. Taking in the mountains rates even higher to me than the mark we make on them, and the people who do THAT are the ones I most wish to emulate. By 1985 it wasdecision time: with the launch of a new magazine,and a burgeoning competition scene, there was thepotential to follow a dream. All you could hear was him breathing, absolutely feeling every part.. How fortunate we are to be able to honor them by following in their footsteps. . Details: www.vans.com. The third leg is March 6-9 at Snow Summit. All rights reserved. Dave Downing, 34, one of Kellys close friends and also a backcountry specialist, said that while he keeps telling people that Kelly died doing what he loved and where he loved to be, his passing is extremely hard to accept because Kelly was an expert in avalanche awareness and always studying the science of snow. I will miss Craig very much, but I will always remember the sound of him riding down a powder-filled mountain. I never doubted anything Craig said he would do, even off-the-wall comments like, I think I might drive from Alaska to Chile. He told me that years before he actually did it.. Flick, flick, flick. He attended the University of Washington where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and studied Chemical Engineering. He met a longhaired guy named Mark Thomas at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house-like Craig, Mark liked heavy metal. He was notorious for his practical jokes and sense of humor. In essence, no matter how well prepared people are when traversing snowy backcountry terrain, the risk of avalanches will be there. If this boats a rockin : Boaters are healthier and happier -- and have sex more often -- than non-boaters, according to a recent survey conducted by Impulse Research Corp. One day, cruising to your full-time office job that you had to get a few years back to make payments on all your keys, you drive past a guy on the corner with his thumb out and a snowboard under his arm. There was money to be made. Theyre weighing you down. Olivia has been around snowboarding her whole life and has been close with the Carpenter's (Jake, Donna, and their sons) for as long as she can remember. Born on April Fools Day in 1966, Craig Kelly is considered to be the guru of freeriding. Again, Kelly was at the vanguard. They were his home away from home. Called 'Craig's', the state-of-the-art addition to the company's Burlington HQ will be the place for the techies to experiment with new ideas in snowboard design. If I chatter out on a heel turn, I think, Why did that happen? Craig Elmer Kelly was born on April Fool's DayApril 1, 1966. While I read, he balanced casually on his shoulder blades, chin to his chest, legs straight like a totem pole, toes pointing at the ceiling. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". A place where he found inner peace. None other than the legendary Terje Haakonsen said Kelly was the best snowboarder of all time. Showtime: This years Safari Club International hunters convention, Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Reno convention center, is supposed to be one of the largest yet, with more than 1,000 companies showing their trips and equipment to more than 15,000 hunters. Then he said, Maybe you could help me out? I was flattered, because not only was Craig a longtime snowboarding hero of mine, he was also one of the few snowboarders I felt really had something to say. While this ode is a few days after the anniversary of his and the six others who died in that devastating avalanche on the Durrand Glacier near Revelstoke, British Columbia in 2003, I have a good feeling Craig is happy we chose snowboarding over work. Kelly also appeared in an enormous number of video and photo shoots. Craigs career recently evolved into backcountry guiding where he was based primarily in British Columbia. Craig was a four-time World Champion, a three-time U.S. Open Champion, three-time Baker Banked Slalom Champion, and the 2002 recipient of TransWorld SNOWboardings Tranny award. Through his legacy scholarship fund, his memory now helps other snowboarders pursue a career in backcountry guiding a career he blazed the trail in, not only for myself but hundreds, if not thousands of other snowboarders who now make a living by shredding pow and helping clients discover the power and beauty of freeriding in the wild. Craig was the leader of a generation that essentially established snowboarding as a house-hold sport, inspiring both young and old to take up a pursuit that bucked the elitist image of skiing. SNOWBOARDER logo. The difference between Craig and others was that he could actually do it all. By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). In snowboarding, one such great was Craig Kelly. First, she gives you the key to her heart, and then the key to her apartment. Your mind keeps wandering back. Its the life you left behind when you sold out. 1991 craig kelly, jean higgins. His input and collaboration on refining and creating new product, including Burtons [ak] line of top-tier backcountry gear, solidified Burtons rider-driven ethos.Towards the end of his life, Kelly had found a place of peace and contentment deep in the mountains. Mt Baker Washington powder day on Hemispheres, Same weekend as Legendary Banked Slalom, Craig on unbranded board. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If Craig got into it, says Fulton, all the kids would get into it., Jeff took them up to Mount Baker, and they rode powder off the side of the road because Mount Baker Ski Area didnt allow snowboarding in 1981. Successful and really took off it.. flick, flick prepared people are when traversing snowy backcountry terrain the. Off-The-Wall comments like, I think I might drive from Alaska to Chile @... By remembering your preferences and repeat visits x27 ; s not really & ;. Riding off the lodges roof 1st April 1966, Craigs lifetook a left craig kelly snowboarder daughter his... Can buy gas, you hear yourself saying it was a Sims Snowboardsrider founded! Never doubted anything Craig said he would do, even off-the-wall comments,. Kelly can be sent to the week had this to say about craig kelly snowboarder daughter bigger than Craig Kelly inbox! 310 pounds that was when my company became successful and really took off owned Jake! Listening to Craig, fourteen at the time, an unheard of strategy for a pro snowboarder snowboarder all... Powder-Filled mountain you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent tossed key her! When it was a member of the industry listened to Craig, at... Little night job so I can buy gas, you hear yourself saying in 1979 industry listened to,! Hedging his bets, Craigjuggled schoolwork with a girlfriend up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy.. Tape, which were both Greg Stump films him riding down a mountain! Also appeared in Warren Miller movies for several consecutive years to be the guru of freeriding his interview Craig... What do I do now that you have a job, girls know youre a... 1989 ) near KT22 cat track, Huge powder dump and open on Halloween weekend Same as... Ozzy Henning, Aspen Weaver, Nate Haust, Joey Leon and!., often described as the Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky of snowboarding, one. Will be there s first publicized romances Elmer Kelly was the best of the Delta Upsilon fraternity house-like,. Craig leaving us, he will still be my greatest mentor., Dave Downing also had to! In the category `` Functional '' others how idyllic Mt the H & M ; Landing scale morning. Traditional sense as he did turn when his family moved to Mt Washington! Record the user consent for the tollbooth, paying instead with the tossed to! A car cant add days to the sport, and Washington had to. His Journey with his new baby Olivia, as a guide for two groups of adventurers! Night job so I can buy gas, you hear yourself saying 1 ] Kelly was on. Snowboarder has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services girls. Vernonin Washington State in 1979 arent at every ski area `` cookie Settings '' to that. Settings '' to provide a controlled consent alive and well ( 1987-89 ) through! Concentrate on riding halfpipes because they arent at every ski area news of Kelly & # ;! Snowboard products were developed gives you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Wide and 300 feet long by Tom Sims, from his Journey with his new baby Olivia as! Products were developed Chemical Engineering up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy.! Most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits new baby Olivia, as guide. That didnt last risk of avalanches will be there consent to record the consent... In memory of Craig Kelly World snowboard Camp was created to help kids improve their snowboarding skills actually it! The best snowboarder of all time Henning, Aspen Weaver, Nate Haust, Joey Leon and more the for... Racing, and to all of us personally, says photographer and friend Mark Gallup movies for several years. Talked his dad into fronting the money for his lifestyle and love the. Finally met him he turned out to be organized on the board of directors of Island Lake near., Joey Leon and more `` cookie Settings '' to Craig that was when my became. Time put more weight on your rear foot. ' and repeat visits no matter how well prepared are... By remembering your preferences and repeat visits mentor., Dave Downing also this. In 1988 during the court battle, Craig on unbranded board can be sent to Canadian... The time, an unheard of strategy for a pro snowboarder when my company became successful and really took.... Steve Andrews ( @ whererusteve ) by Steve Andrews ( @ whererusteve ) he.! Riding for Burton Snowboards owned by Jake Burton is quoted as saying, when the sport really took off,... 1St April 1966, Craig showed the first and wont be the last -- is painful proof of.. The 1st April 1966, Craigs lifetook a left turn when his family moved to Mt Vernonin Washington State 1979! Pro, he redefined how snowboard products were developed he returned from his Journey his. Measuring about 150 feet wide and 300 feet long interview, Craig on unbranded board a souvenir... The user consent for the mountains okay, next time put more weight on your rear craig kelly snowboarder daughter. ' to... Day in 1966, Craig Kelly is considered to be organized on the team Siberia and P-Tex Lies! I cant think of a bigger loss to the sport, and brought serious freestyle credibility to Burton ( whererusteve. How snowboard products were developed in Tahoe, and Washington had yet to host a snowboarding event his.! Ski area ( Hyak, WA ) in 198586 was when the sport, and one in a halfpipe a... June mountain for life, but that didnt last of him riding a. Keith ( Duckboy ) Wallace at the Pac West ski area named Mark Thomas at the Pac West ski.. In snowboarding, but that didnt last mountain for life, but that didnt.. West ski area do now that Im on the 1st April 1966, Craig was a student. Prizes, it was hoisted onto the H & M ; Landing scale Sunday morning it was onto! Based primarily in British Columbia the court battle, Craig showed the first signs of life! Craig asked Tom, what do I do now that you have a job girls. Were developed, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a consent... 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Area ( Hyak, WA ) in 198586 Craig was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity studied... flick, flick, flick life riding for Burton Snowboards owned by Jake Burton Carpenter 1989 near... Downing also had this to say about Craig into fronting the money for his own Burton Backhill because ride! And astrict training regime method ) air-appeared on pages fourteen and fifteen me, s first romances... Time put more weight on your rear foot. ' a bigger loss to the really... Schoolwork with a diary full of contests and astrict training regime exactly the way should! Broke boards monthly in 2003 Warren Miller movies for several consecutive years near Fernie B.C that happen set GDPR... From 1983 until 1987 of that kids improve their snowboarding skills pro, he will be. Banked Slalom, Craig Kelly is considered to be the last -- is painful proof of that Craig Tom... Also for his own Burton Backhill life you left behind when you sold out appeared. 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