The mingling, start time (8 PM) and respectful level of buzz suggested a sophisticated cocktail party.
Yet the free beer, plaid-and-beanie dress code and DJ booth implied keg party.
Whistler's Showcase Snowboard, Surf and Skate shop paid homage to the start of another delightful snow season by, how else, throwing a party for Whistler's snowboard scene.
With the usual hanging racks and product displays pushed out of the way, the shop took on a party vibe as people trickled in steadily throughout the night to celebrate a shared stoke. It's always a little odd to party where you buy your snowboard gear, but the set-up had a distinctly mellow mood. Who needs hotel ballrooms, anyway.
The guest list-- and it was a ticket-holder only kind of event (I know, fancy!)-- consisted of the who's who of the Whistler snowboarding scene, who sipped Whistler Brewing Company's Powder Mountain Lager throughout the evening, compliments of Showcase. They sure do know the way to a snowboarder's heart.
There was no shoving of product down your throat, nor were there any speeches to sit through-- this event was all about bringing the snowboard scene together and just having a nice time, no strings attached. When does that ever happen?
Showcase had devoted the earlier hours of the evening to outdoor screenings of snowboarding films guaranteed to get the second-hand adrenaline flowing. But the real party times came later in the night. Mat the Alien lead the now lubricated crowd (remember, free beer earlier) towards a groovy night at no other than Merlin's. I hear it was epic-- alas, the aftereffects of the Nuulife "Wildlife" snowboard film premier the night prior prevented me from closing down the Merlin's party.
So, if you weren't already pumped up for the upcoming season, you'd better be now. LET IT SNOW!!!
