Skis That Give Back
Back again for 2022, evo has teamed up with Armada and Alpine Initiatives to offer a new limited-edition ski that pays tribute to the memory and mission of JP Auclair. Featuring JP’s original artwork, only 45 of these special JJ UL skis were made. We’ll be donating 100% of profits from these skis to Alpine Initiatives’ Canary Club, a program dedicated to helping young people safely experience the backcountry. Last year, our community did what it does best and sold out the 2021 model in just two days, generating $15,750 for Canary Club. Because of these efforts, Canary Club was able to open two new chapters for Spring 2022, in addition to their Vail Valley, CO program.
About JP and Alpine Initiatives
JP Auclair was a professional Canadian skier who helped pave the way for modern freestyle skiing. He was also a co-founder of Armada Skis, artist and good friend of evo. Tragically, he passed away in an avalanche in September of 2014. Six years before the accident, JP founded Alpine Initiatives, a non-profit committed to creating more connected and sustainable mountain communities.
The Canary Club
Alpine Initiatives’ Canary Club focuses on connecting at-risk youth to the mountains. Offering instruction and guided backcountry trips, the Canary Club challenges kids of all ability levels to step out of their comfort zones to get fully immersed in the outdoors. The first Canary Club was held in 2019 and the program is currently offered in a few well-known mountain locations. Alpine Initiatives hopes to expand the program to more communities over time. In the 21/22 winter, two new Canary Clubs were created and the Red Canyon High School in Colorado’s Vail Valley club returned for its fourth year in a row.
Canary Club Chapters:
Portland, OR (New): Organizes overnight ski trips to Tilly Jane Hut on Wy'East (Mount Hood) focusing on backcountry skiing and snowboarding along with snow safety education for Indigenous people in the Oregon area. In collaboration with Native Outdoors, Smith and Trew.
Nelson, BC (New): Supports ATLAS, an afterschool mentorship program for teens in Nelson, BC, in building out a gear library and a future financial aid program for additional students in the Winter Program culminating in an overnight hut trip.
Vail Valley, CO: Organizes overnight trips to one of the 10th Mtn Division Huts around the Vail Valley focusing on backcountry skiing and snowboarding along with snow safety education with Red Canyon High School, an alternative high school in Eagle and Edwards.
The Bird
During the shooting of the 2011 Sherpas Cinema film, All.I.Can, JP and director David Mossop were obsessed with the work of graffiti artist, Banksy. Deciding to incorporate art into JP’s street segment, they searched through JP’s journal until they landed on his canary drawing. They enlarged it at a local copy shop and then, dressed all in black, pasted it on a wall in the town of Trail, BC late one night. When asked about the bird in a 2011 ESPN interview, here’s what JP had to say: “The big yellow bird—Dave and I put it up. We were all nervous about it, like, I hope they either don't mind or don't know it's us. The next day people walking by were like, ‘Nice bird, guys.’” After JP’s passing, the canary has become a symbol representing his legacy. To us, it conveys many of the positive attributes JP shared with the world: hope, freedom, creativity, innovation, imagination, positivity and so much more. We think it’s a good bird.
Some Specs
The popular Armada ARV 116 JJ UL is a playful, touring-friendly ski that offers a super-fun ride when the going gets deep. Featuring a lightweight Caruba Core, AR Freestyle Rocker, and a 3D beveled Smear Tech base in the tip and tail, this is one of the best-performing backcountry freestyle skis on the market.