Words: Jeff Baker / Photos by Jeff Baker, Laura Austin and Ryan Runke

What happens when you take some of the east coast finest riders, mix in 1500 TB’s (Tall Boy Pabst Blue Ribbons), 150 bottles vodka, 50 gallons diesel, illegal fireworks, poor judgment and one lawless private resort…the Legendary World Quarters.

The last bit of advice I got from Ryan Runke (Rome Snowboards Marketing Manager) before I arrived at the famed World Quarters was, “be sure to make your last phone calls before you get to the “resort” cause we’ll be in the middle of nowhere...and I’m talkin’ some serious back woods shit.” Having been to the World Quarters in the past, I took Runke’s advise, called my wife, told her I loved her and that I may not be coming home...ever again!

For those or you who’ve never attended a World Quarter event, here’s a little background. The shit show (and I mean that in a good way) began back in 1998 when founders, Pat Bridges, Mark Sullivan and Matt Gormley decided there was no such thing as a “world-class” quarterpipe event in snowboarding. Even more, there was no event with the word “world” in it so they rallied some of their closest friends, trademarked the World Quarters name and began one of the few remaining fun events left in snowboarding.

Founder, Pat Bridges.

But don’t get the wrong idea here. Even though the name implies a world-class event, in actuality it resembles nothing of the sorts. For instance, extra style points are awarded to riders who chug a beer before they drop in and verbally assaulting riders mid-run is encouraged. There are no world-class riders like Shaun White and Andreas Wiig who attend. In fact, the only thing resembling world-class riders are the ones who got tricked into coming because they actually thought it was a TTR event. This might sound funny, but every year a few riders get duped into coming…usually the Europeans who don’t know any better.

I guess you could classify the shape of the QP as world class…if it was built in 1983. The reality is that SPT was not hired out to build the feature with fancy equipment but instead some guy, his son and a few of their buddies (and by buddies, I mean Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and John Deere). But that’s the beauty of this event. It’s certainly not about the progression of the sport but rather the emphasis on having a good time—and by the number of people drunk off their ass with ear-to-ear grins, I’d say it was a success.

Yes, that is a lit cigar above an open diesel container.

The fire gap.

This was the means of shuttling riders up the hill—a sled on its last leg and an ATV. Weren’t these things banned in 80’s?

The event kicked off in the morning with riders dropping from the Red Bull start gate, then hitting the fire gap, proceeding through the Guantlet and finally onto the QP. There were definitely some legit tricks going down over the fire. Riders like Jeremy Thompson ruled it all day long with spins in every direction while avoiding being hit by ice chunks, tree branches, snowballs, spit and beers cans (empty and full)—their was no discrimination running through Guantlet this year.

Gauntlet from SNOWBOARD Magazine on Vimeo.

2nd Place Jeremy Thompson

In the end, it was Greg Bogencamp who took won 1st place ($1000 in unrolled quarters) and a bear skin rug. Jeremy Thompson took second and awarded a ¼ of VT’s finest, and Forest Bailey got 3rd and got nothing for it…that’s just how the cookie crumbles at the World Quarters.

Greg busting a nice air.

There were some other honorable mentions to the days festivities. Atmosphere clothing’s owner Chris Prosser lost a $40 bet when he was not able to go higher than the copping. Tough luck for Chris but based on the number of drinks Prosser consumed, I’m not surprised.

Chris Prosser after his failed QP attempt.

This local definitely won the drunkest idiot award by taking it way too far.

Untitled from SNOWBOARD Magazine on Vimeo.

Thanks to everyone who came out with special props to Rome, Timber Ridge Resort, Oakley, Red Bull and Pat Bridges for keeping debauchery alive in snowboarding. Long live the World Quarters!