During the 1990s, a derelict band of snowboarders cut their big mountain
teeth shredding lines and sending airs around Lake Louise. The notorious
Team Core included riders like Greg Todds, Dennis Bannock, Jonaven Moore,
Scott Macfarland, Robin Nixon and Scott Newsome.
Thanks to my bro Robin, the token skier of the group, I was exposed at a
very young age to the most progressive riding of the time. I watched in
disbelief as the members of Team Core set the precedent for Canadian
Snowboarding.
Every member of the crew had their own style. Newsome earned himself a
reputation as a big mountain destroyer. He eventually moved to Whistler,
where the impact he made on the scene is still felt today.
I had a chance to catch up with him between a season-long stint at
Snowwater Heli, BC and an upcoming trip to Haines, AK. He threatened to pass
all my questions on to his wife Keri, so she could speak on his behalf and
he could hang with his kids. Despite his threats, he decided to pass his
wisdom onto past, present and future shredders.
Enjoy.






Age: 30
Born: Fort Quepple, Saskatchewan. Moved to Lake Louise in Grade Four
Current Residence: Revelstoke, BC
Years on Snow: 29
Sponsors: Prior Snowboards
Profession: ACMG Assistant Ski Guide, Helicopter Logger

Let’s start with this last season. What did it look like for you?
I did a lot of ski touring in at the beginning of the year and then spent
lots of time with a heli at Snowwater in Nelson. I also taught some
avalanche courses, one of them for Search and Rescue in Vernon to a bunch
of cops. It was payback time for all those speeding tickets.

How do you make money in the off season, after the snow’s all melted away?
Helicopter-logging all over the province. I always say I’m going to
retire, but I never do. I’d like to get a job at the new ski hill. There’s
lots of work cutting runs and putting in the new lift towers.






What do you think of the new ski hill?
I think it’s great. I grew up around Lake Louise so I’ like to have a big
rippin’ resort around for my kids. But I don’t want to see it change
Revelstoke. It would be nice to see the locals have a say in what’s going
on up there. I don’t want to see (Revelstoke) become too expensive for the
locals, like Whistler.

What are some of the bad things that come out of spending over 100 days a
year in the backcountry?
The worst times are knowing that the very thing that keeps people like us
alive can also kill us.

Tell me a little bit about your kids.
Sebastian’s seven and Kaeson’s four. Both of them are ripping little
skiers—they can do all the runs at the ski hill (Powder Springs).

It seems like you started making a family at a pretty young age. How has
that affected your guiding pursuits?
Well, if anything, it has enhanced it in a way. It’s made me be more
professional. It makes me safer knowing that I have kids to come home to
at the end of the day. I’m not such a selfish guide.






What was your final ACMG exam like?
The first one or the second one? (laughs).

The second one I guess.
We had some good weather—good conditions safety wise. It allowed us to do
some pretty cool trips to some nice mountains in the in Moberly Pass.
Things went smooth, no major mistakes. I had a solid couple weeks.

No major mistakes?
Well, like anything, you get constructive criticism and you learn from it.

What kind of disadvantages did you feel as a snowboarder?
I didn’t feel any as far as my skills traveling in the mountains.
Actually, there were a few times where the snowboard was actually the tool
of choice, like in breakable crust.
But in the back of your mind you know you’re trying something different.
Change is sometimes frowned upon. You can end up thinking too much about
it, being a snowboarder. You wonder if sometimes they’re laughing on the
inside (laughs).






Are you going to take some more courses?
I’m gonna go for my full ski guide next winter.

How do you think that’ll go?
I don’t know why it wouldn’t go well. I was guiding for nine years with my
CSGA ticket before I got my ACMG. I grew up in the mountains. Even if I’m
not successful, I’ll know what I have to work on.

Do you do anything to make it so your time in the mountains doesn’t feel
like work?
I do a crazy hard-working job in the summer. That’s all I need. A shitty
day in the mountains is better than a good day heli-logging.

When does guiding really feel like working?
The only thing that sucks is that you don’t have time to shred with your
bros anymore. I guess that’s what December’s for.

When you’re guiding, do you deal with a strictly snowboarding clientele?
I definitely guide skiers. I ride with them all the time when I’m not
working. But sometimes, I’ll get a group that’s really not sure about
being guided by a snowboarder. By the end of the day, their attitudes
totally changed. If I get my full guide, I’d like to cater more to the
snowboard crowd. As far as guiding’s concerned, I have a billion dollar
industry at my fingertips.

Have your pants gotten any tighter now that you’re an ACMG guide?
(Laughs) Aren’t I supposed to tell you to go fuck yourself? Yeah, I guess
you could say they have.






Seriously, have you had to change the way you ride in order to fit the
mould of your profession?
Yeah I have. Have you got a pen? Like we already said, the pants got
tighter. I carry poles pretty much all the time. I ride a huge fucking
board that’s back set as much as possible and I wear a huge pack.

Do you huck 40 footers when you’re on the job?
Fuckin’ rights I do. I still throw down a mean line every now and again.

And how tight are your pants?
They’re pretty much spandex.

What’s next for Newsome?
I’m going to Haines in the spring—looking forward to getting back to AK
and riding some lines.

You’ve been there before?
I’ve been there six times. Juneau, Valdez. But I’ve never been to Haines.
I’ve heard it’s a lot like Valdez was ten years ago. Rowdy. Wild wild west
style. I like that.

Do you have any advice for snowboarders following in your footsteps?
I’ve heard of a lot of people wanting to be snowboard guides but really
they don’t know what the ACMG wants out of their guides.
The best advice I could give is just to get out there and go ski-touring.
Climb mountains and ski mountains. Be safe. Get some good peers around you
and get after it.