WINTER TREME
BUILT IN IDAHO Local woodworkers craft a path through winter snow by Desiree Aguirre
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inter waves a flag of white, but in Sandpoint, the white flag doesn’t have anything to do with surrender. In fact, in Sandpoint, ski, skate and board enthusiasts sing a chorus of hallelujahs when gray skies cover the hills and mountains in layers of snow. And what better way to embrace a blizzard than heading up to the top of Schweitzer Mountain on equipment built in Sandpoint? It’s no surprise that Sandpoint, a winter haven for snow-loving enthusiasts, is also the home of snow-loving craftsmen, like Mark Edmundson and Mark Miller, who have turned their tools to designing and manufacturing custom snowskates and snowboards in the Sandpoint vicinity. Snowskates, kind of a cross between a ski, a snowboard and a skateboard, double deck wonders, don’t have any bindings, and according to Edmundson, that gives the rider more freedom. One of the advantages of snowskates is that they are easy to take backcountry. Rather than taking off your board and hiking, or putting skins on your skis, you can drag your snowskate behind you with a leash, and walk in the boots you use on the skate. In addition, you never have to worry about sitting on your butt to bind in; you simply step on to the snowskate and ride. According to Edmundson, builder of Chiller Decks, life is good. “There have been days when I can build a new snowskate in the morning and test it in the afternoon,” Edmundson said. Chiller Decks, located on Samuels Road, north of Sandpoint, is a low-key operation. “Me, Eric Nelson and Cole Thompson make the decks we ride,” Edmundson said, “and sell a couple every year.” Edmundson said the snow inspires this innovative trio, and they constantly improve their decks so they can tackle any type of snowy terrain. “Right now, we use different snowskates for different
conditions. What’s great is we can bring a couple of boards and switch out the decks. One for deep powder, and one for groomed or crusty snow.” Edmundson, a professional cabinetmaker, already had the tools and woodworking knowledge, and he utilizes that information to feed his passion, riding deep powder. Edmundson said he loves flying down deep powder on a double deck board, leaning just right to take a turn. “It’s a niche,”
WINTER 2018
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Top: Cole Thompson puts a Chiller Deck to the test. Above: Mark Edmundson builds boards inspired by the snow. COURTESY PHOTOS
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