Whilst most of us are trying to cool down from a heatwave, The East Coast seems to not know winter has ended and we’re here for it!!
AKAMP Summer Camp kept the winter jibbing deep into the summer.
Photos and words: Jeremie Perreault
We might not have the West Coast’s snow and mountains, but we’ve got the vibe, the desire to ride no matter what, and the strongest community to achieve the impossible. The AKAMP summer freestyle snowboard camp made a triumphant return for its 14th year at Sommet Saint-Sauveur’s Avila side. From june 27 until july 3th, Avila hosted the only summer snowboard park on snow in Eastern North America. “It’s a truly unique event,” beamed organizer and owner Dave, just days before the launch of AKAMP.
This year’s lineup featured heavy hitters like Seb Toots, Eli Bouchard, Jacob Legault, Nic Laframboise, Maddox Matte, Seb Picard, Westley Willyam, David Tourigny, Kamilla Kozuback, and Maggie and Joey Leon, to name only a few. The blend of grassroots riders and competitive snowboarders created the perfect vibe, enhanced by daily jams sponsored by brands like Bataleon, Nidecker, Souvenir, and Rome. The support of these brands was crucial for pushing innovative projects like AKAMP, projects that require immense sweat and dedication.
Despite the modest terrain park setup, the crew did an impressive job with the snow they had. Pulling off a summer camp on snow in late June and early July is no small feat. Each year, as winter winds down, The cat driver hops in his snowcat and gathers the remaining snow into a massive pile at the base of the hill. This mega mound ensures that future campers have less uphill hiking to do.
Once the snow is piled high, the Axis crew and a bunch of volunteers cover it with hay, creating an insulating layer that preserves the snow for a solid two months. It’s wild how effective the hay is at keeping the snow intact until it’s time for the team to sculpt the park.
The setup this year was nothing short of impressive. From rails to jumps, the park offered a little something for everyone. Everyday, various crew were improving the setup, adding rails, stairs or whatever they can find to keep the crew sending. The daily jams kept the energy high and the tricks flowing, with riders pushing their limits and feeding off each other’s hype. And let’s not forget the hotdog stand at the bottom—always someone there to make sure you can feed the munchies.
In true AKAMP fashion, the community aspect was front and center. Riders of all levels shredded side by side, dropping bangers and even sending double wildcat into the bushes (shoutout to Colton). In doubt, aim for the bushes. The atmosphere was electric, and if you wanted to play, you had to work—no building, no riding. That’s how it rolled.
Dave Brown, one of the main organizers and an active member of the East Coast snowboard community, summed it up perfectly: “AKAMP isn’t a smooth ride. The snowboard community is so present, and that’s why all the effort is worth it! The future of AKAMP looks promising. We’re not revealing too much, but it’s possible we might return to the good old
stomping grounds of Snoprk Les Sommets, where we’d have triple, even quadruple the snow.”
AKAMP 2024 was a testament to the dedication of everyone involved, from the organizers to the participants. The effort to preserve the snow and create a killer terrain park paid off. As the camp wrapped up, the buzz was already building for next year’s edition, with everyone eager to see what AKAMP 2025 will bring. East Coast snowboard community making another strong statement right there.
