33MAG Snowboard & Ski Street Spot Bible – Volume 1

With another winter fast approaching, true riders are already planning a season of travel, competition and compiling their own lists of "must shoot" street spots. With five years of shooting street under my belt – you may remember 2008's AllweKnow – I thought I'd take a sec to share some of my favourite, easy-access street spots. In three easy road trips from Montreal!

Most pros who love the street already have their own list of spots, some known and some private, and I'm not just about to give up all the goods, but at the same time I think the newcomers deserve to be thrown a small bone at the very least. And of course don't forget Montreal is basically an endless supply of spots big and small.

Intro: For those of you new to the street hucking scene there are a few things you're gonna need to keep in mind – or out of mind more likely – if you're hoping for a long a prosperous winter. Things like the fact that in general street riding is illegal. There's a high chance of injury. Even that there's already been at least one death associated with jibbing in the streets of Quebec. If you're gonna go for it, go for it. 

The Rules:

1. Respect the spot: Don't break stuff. Don't cause damage. If you move something, move it back. And always clean up after yourselves (that includes run-ins and take-offs). Even just leaving a staircase covered in snow could be enough to really piss off the owner and the next time you show up, the spot may just be closed off with nubs on the rail or some other sort of "shred-stopper".

End result: Years and years of jibbing for your crew and all others.

2. Always show respect and be polite to those you may encounter: No screaming. No Insults. If someone comes up to you and demands to know what you are doing, respond simply and calmly. "We're just filming some skiing for a school project" is always a good way to go. If they still ask you to leave? "No problem sir, just give us five minutes to wrap up and we'll be happy to clean up our mess before we leave". And then do it. 

Result: You get the shot. No police, fines or confrontation.

3. Be stealthy: Do things in the right order and keep the heat off. First come out the shovels. Then the gear when the spot is set up. Then the lights and generator last. Get the shot and get out. 

Result: Less chance of getting busted.

4. Play smart: The spot you wanna hit covered in security? Head over on Christmas morning or the day of a huge snowstorm. (Bonus tip: Film some super slow-mo snowflake falling artsy shit). Too many trees in the landing? Well, it's probably just not the right spot to hit then. And of course, WEAR A HELMET! Hey, you never know, if you land a few bangers you just might be able to pull a helmet sponsor like Seb Toots … $$$!!

 
ROAD TRIP #1

"Joliette dans Lanaudière"

Just 40-minutes from Montreal, Joliette is a nice little town with a ton of HUGE rails that have barely been explored or exploited. And it's right on the way to Val St-Come ski hill.
 
The Green Monster:

Source: 1:30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SqngPkgBLc

Rail type: Down-Flat- Down-Flat- Down-Flat- Down-Flat
Placement: The stairs lead down a hill to river used for ice-skating. So forget early season sessions or you're gonna be water-skiing!
Run-in: 20 feet of flat grass before the street. Bungee or drop-in mandatory.
Difficulty: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Security: None
Electricity availability: None
Notes: There's a 5-6 foot gap betwen the end of the rail and the landing. The stairs are also quite well-used by ice-skaters, so be nice and share the space. And don't be afraid if a crowd of spectators gathers to watch you guys huck those carcasses.
Address: 58 Rue Gauthier Sud, Joliette, Québec

The Infinite Green Rail

Rail type: Really looooong down rail
Placement: Same deal as above. Used to access skating rink
Run-in: Straight off the street. Bro-tow or car push
Difficulty: 3/5
Originality: 4/5
Security: None
Electricity availability: None
Notes: Again, since this is a public space there will be lots of people to share the stairs with. Be nice!
Address:  Right at the end of Flamand street, Joliette, Québec
 
The White C-Ledge
 

Rail type: C-shaped cement ledge
Placement: School entraceway
Run-in: Very short. 8-10 feet max
Difficulty: 2/5
Originality: 4/5
Security: During school hours
Electricity availability: Most likely
Notes: A new spot to help keep your edit fress
Address: 455, Boul. Base-de-Roc Joliette (Québec)

The Church C-Rail

Rail type: C-rail for handicap entrance
Placement: In front of a church
Run-in: Pretty long. Use a bungee to keep on the down-low
Difficulty: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Security: It's on a main street, so keep an eye out for the police and be polite if they show up.
Electricity availability: unknown
Notes: Virgin rail, I've never seen this in a ski/shred film yet. Who wil be the first?
Address: 2 St-Charles Borromée Rue, Joliette, QC
 
The Arena Gap

Spot type: A big gap involving a high roof-line and a tight tranny
Placement: Behind an arena
Run-in: Very long parking lot
Difficulty: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Security: During arena hours
Electricity availability: Probably
Notes: Another virgin spot. Who's got the balls to step to this?
Address: 265, rue Lajoie Sud, Joliette, J6E5L5

 
ROAD TRIP #2

Mont-Royal straight into Downtown Montreal

It's impossible not to mention Mont-Royal, smack dab in the middle of the city of Montreal. With a ton of snow covering it's slopes and no security on the lookout, there are infinite possibilities for filming on the dozens of spots here. It's found in almost every movie, and with good reason.

Seb Toots even filmed a whole video there last year! Check it out:
 

 
ROAD TRIP #3

The Laurentians

Just 45 minutes north of Montreal and the home to over 20 ski hills, spots on the sides of hills do exist! There are a lot of spots up here that have gotten a lot of coverage already. But for good reason!

Augustin-Norbert-Morin High School