Back to the Boneyard

Nothing says “the 90s” like a butt shot of a mute stiffy in giant pants. Brian Barb. Geery photo.

At one point in the recent past I realized that there are 90s stations on the radio. I think it was the same point where I realized I was getting “old.” Now in geological terms I am not old, and even in normal person years, but in the snowboard world, I am not a spring chicken anymore. This season there has been no shortage of retro events for old people, such as the washed up cup at the US Open, or the Legends of Tahoe event. But I am not that old. I am just, not 15 anymore.

So when I heard about Back to the Boneyard, I was excited. It was exactly what I needed in my life — a retro event recognizing my generation. The premise was simple. Pat Moore headed back to his home mountain, Waterville Valley, and rebuilt the park that was legendary in the mid to late 90s, the Boneyard. The bus was there, as was a flat rail, hip and booter.

Sweet booter action, guy. Geery photo.

Teams of three battled it out, with one member of the team representing on each feature. There was a sizeable list of tricks that needed to be completed for each obstacle, with a different dollar value assigned to each. In short, it was the most complicated judging system ever, and things changed as needed as the day went out. Hey, it was the first year, ok.

But more importantly than the course or the format, was that fact that riders who’d cut their teeth in New Hampshire were there. Preston Strout and Dr. Brian Barb were both decked out in their 90s gear, and I must commend Barb in particular for tracking down a giant Twist fleece. Apparently it was not his, but Andy Benhardt’s, who was also there with his wife and daughter in tow. On the mic was none other than former Waterville snowboard director Matt Gormley. Most of the NH dirts were there, as well as the EB crew and many, many more. The only really noticeable NH heavyweights missing were Scotty Arnold, Jamie Macleod, and the legendary Shane Flood.

Plymouth local Chris Carr. First invert of the day. Geery photo.

It wasn’t just “old people” though. The next generation came out to, you know, ride way better than we used to in the 90s. Aside from Pat Moore himself, the biggest name was probably Chas Guldemond, fresh off his $100,000 victory at the US Open. He joined the “LA Crew” with his brother Avert and a Keir Dillon look alike. But even with Chas’s skills tapped into, the team was only able to take second. First place went to team “Chocolate Milk” consisting of Nick John, Jack Harold and Nick Julius.

As I stood next to Dave Olcott of Stimilon fame, I realized just how far snowboarding has come. The “big jump” clocked in at 30 feet, and was about the size of the jumps that seemed so giant in the Stimilon days. Now kids who are yet to go through puberty were doing cab 900’s over it.

The man of the hour. Pat Moore. Geery photo.

Results

Team Chocolate Milk!

First
Team Chocolate Milk
Nick John
Jack Harold
Nick Julius

Second
LA Crew
Tyler Davis
Chas Guldemond
Avert Guldemond

Third
Meat Loaf
Christian St Cyr
Rob Hallowell
Colin Hart

Fourth
Red Bull
Forest Bailey
Hans Minditch
Nils Minditch

Fifth
A Team
Andrew Dixson
Andrew Aronson
Jay Lamphir

Craziest Team
Andy Benhardt
Preston Strout
Brian Barb

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