Showing up early for First Chair just isn't enough sometimes. In the case of Mt. St. Saviour, it would have helped to bring a thermos, as the original folks in line headed to the coffee shop for some espresso and lost their spot.

SPECIAL BLEND rolled into Waterville Valley early on Saturday November 17 where they found snow caves, campsite remnants, girls sleeping on the chair lift, and a crowd around the White Peaks Quad where far too many snowboarders claimed they were getting on the First Chair.

Kima Bacevicius, Katie Bacevicius, Alexandra Fountoulakis and Jennelle Young slept on the chair lift got the First Chair prizes for braving the elements sans-tent. These four local college students had been planning their victory since September when First Chair Last Call was first posted. Kyle Mullin, Nick Harris, Ryan Rafferty, Paul Moore, and Cam Marcotte gave a solid effort—we’ll see you next year.

Killington was a last minute addition to the First Chair Last Call tour but you would have never known with the solid turn out of early-morning riders in line for the 9 a.m. opener.

With temperatures well below freezing, high winds and snowfall locals Jake Caggie, McGregor Mangan, Jenny Smith and Tivon Jagoda camped out, in a not-so-weather proof tent to get First Chair, or gondola, at Killington Friday November 16.

Special Blend's Kevin Keller stoking out the crowd.

Words/Photos: Lucky Lopez

Well the First Chair was a huge success and now it was time to move onto the important part, the last call at Garf's in Whistler. This is the part that Special Blend pays for all the drinks consumed during the last 20 minutes of last cal, and at Garf's you better look out because Canadians can throw down when it comes to drinking. The night was a huge success Special Blend brought up DJ Paul Devro from Vancouver which attracted both Whistler and Vancouver locals. Special Blend ended up spending $2500 dollars "Canadian" in 20 minutes. These guys know how to stoke people out, keep an eye out for the Special Blend posse in your hood.

4:00pm on November 16th, nearly 17 hours before Whistler's Gondola started turning, four diehard locals got in line with sleeping bags and rations to camp out for first chair the following morning. Zach Gervais, Alex Kay, Cody Wilson, and Stevie Kopyt were, by far, the most dedicated snowboarders of the season to be decked out with a head-to-toe Special Blend Kit. Those that lined up after those four didn't go home empty handed, and were hit with the full slew of promotional SB products, along with an invite to Garf's for the afterparty.

The scene on hill was much different than the base area. After scaling a few thousand vertical, the weather went from grim and green, to a full on winter wonderland. For the first time of the year it felt like winter. Snow was falling, temps were low, powder was waiting to be slashed, and smiles all around could be felt through bandanas and facemasks.

Last Call was held at Garf's in the Whistler Village, and quickly filled to capacity. Vancouver's DJ Paul Devro headed up to esnsure the party went off. After a hard night of drinking, the lights came on, and the crowd knew that Blend had the tab. Within the last fifteen or so minutes, the registers closed and some serious good times were racked up.

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