KingPin Archives (street skiing in Quebec)
Alexis Fortin
Profile and significance
Alexis Fortin is a Quebec freeski rider rising out of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean scene with a focus on urban and park skiing. He is closely associated with the independent crew The Blueberries, a collective known for do-it-yourself rail builds, creative lines in local streets, and low-budget, high-stoke edits. Fortin’s name began circulating more widely thanks to community events that reward style and originality over points, including a standout week at Akamp 2025 on the Laurentian summer snowfield at Sommet Avila, where he earned second in Phil “B-Dog” Casabon’s rail jam. As an emerging rider documented in crew films and grassroots sessions rather than federation circuits, his significance is the way he channels Quebec’s rail culture into approachable, reproducible tricks that intermediate park skiers can study and emulate.
Competitive arc and key venues
Fortin’s “competitive arc” is unconventional by design. Instead of chasing World Cup slopestyle or big air starts, he has built credibility in gathering spots that define modern freeski culture in Quebec. Akamp’s long-running summer setup at Sommet Avila has served as a proving ground, where Fortin’s mix of tech and flow earned podium recognition in the B-Dog jam and kept him lapping and digging features from morning to night. In winter, his crew’s home base around Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and the surrounding hills informs the look and feel of their projects, with missions into the snow-loaded terrain of Parc national des Monts-Valin and sessions in regional towns. The Blueberries have also appeared in Quebec festival programming tied to the Laurentians at Ski Mont Blanc, while Fortin’s street-inspired contest laps have popped up at community jams in Shawinigan’s Parc de la rivière Grand-Mère. The throughline is a venue list that highlights where Quebec’s rail culture actually lives: compact parks, city features, and crew-built setups.
How they ski: what to watch for
Fortin skis with a clean stance and a style-first approach that favors precise edge control over brute force. On rails, look for patient, centered approaches with minimal speed checks and early edge sets to lock onto narrow surfaces. Switch takeoffs are deliberate rather than rushed, and landings are scrubbed with small edge releases to keep the trick tidy. He tends to pair medium-spin rotations with well-chosen presses and surface swaps, prioritizing trick construction and body position over spin count. On small-to-medium jumps, Fortin emphasizes takeoff symmetry and grab security; you’ll see stable knees, quiet hands, and timing that keeps the skis flat on approach before popping cleanly. The net effect is the kind of line you can pause and break down frame by frame to understand why it works.
Resilience, filming, and influence
As part of The Blueberries, Fortin contributes to a run of grassroots films and crew edits that spotlight regional identity and hard work. The projects document early-season spot hunts, snow farming, and repeat attempts that are part of any urban/street skiing mission. That process—shoveling, salting, resetting angles after misses—shows up in Fortin’s riding as composure under pressure and the ability to retry without sacrificing style. The community-first ethos matters too: at Akamp he was applauded not just for tricks but for helping dig and maintain features throughout long days, a detail that has earned him respect among peers and younger skiers who learn by watching how crews operate.
Geography that built the toolkit
Quebec geography is a quiet co-author of Fortin’s technique. Storm cycles and temperature swings in the Saguenay basin create variable surfaces that demand adaptable speed control. Access to rolling terrain around Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and the snow reliability of Monts-Valin foster a mix of natural features and packed-in urban spots, while the Laurentians’ dense resort network, including Sommet Avila and Ski Mont Blanc, provides park mileage and event exposure. Sessions in places like Shawinigan translate those park skills to real-world architecture—stairs, ledges, and rails—tightening up approach lines and exit control.
Equipment and partners: practical takeaways
Fortin’s setup choices echo his spot selection. Urban and park work usually calls for a moderately rockered, symmetrical park ski detuned at the tips and tails to prevent hook-ups on rails, paired with a mount point near center for predictable switch performance. Durable edges and frequent base repairs matter more than chasing the latest graphic. His Akamp rail-jam prize haul included bindings from Tyrolia, underscoring a pragmatic truth for progressing riders: bindings should be chosen for retention, elasticity, and reliable release in repeated impact scenarios. Whatever the brand, the maintenance habits—sharp underfoot edges for hardpack, detuned contact points for kinked rails, and fresh wax for sticky summer laps—are the hidden performance gains that keep lines consistent.
Why fans and progressing skiers care
Alexis Fortin represents the pathway many newer park and street skiers will actually take. He’s not defined by World Cup bibs; he’s defined by the discipline to build, rebuild, and refine tricks in the places where most of us ski. For fans, that means edits with clear, readable style. For skiers looking to progress, it offers a template: controlled speed into features, early alignment, locked body position, and thoughtful exits. Follow his lines and you’ll see how Quebec’s rail culture turns modest setups into expressive skiing—something you can bring to your local park the very next session.
Bastien Pronovost-Lapointe
Québec
Overview and significance
Québec City is one of the world’s most reliable urban playgrounds for street skiing. Winters are long, cold, and snowy, and the UNESCO-listed Old Québec core concentrates stone ledges, steel railings, stairways, and boardwalk approaches in tight proximity. The city’s dense fabric and nightly illumination turn everyday public spaces into filmable lines, while the surrounding neighborhoods add modern handrails and multi-stair options. Local freeski culture runs deep—athletes from the region have stacked award-winning street segments here—and downtown has even hosted FIS Big Air World Cup scaffolding jumps during the Jamboree, with freeskiers and snowboarders sharing the stage on a purpose-built city ramp (FIS Jamboree).
The appeal for film crews is repeatability. Québec’s winter rhythm—regular snowfall, persistent cold, and fast municipal clean-up—keeps features replenished and in-runs readable. The historic setting is part of the draw, but the practical reason street skiers return is simple: you can find spots in a small radius, reset quickly, and keep production moving.
Terrain, snow, and seasons
Climate normals from Environment and Climate Change Canada show roughly three meters of annual snowfall at the city’s airport and a sustained winter snowpack in mid-season. Street-level experience tracks that data: snow generally stays on the ground from late November into mid-April, with January and February delivering the coldest, most consistent surfaces for speed control and landings (ECCC climate normals).
The architecture defines the “terrain.” The Escalier du Cap-Blanc climbs 398 steps from the river up to the Plains of Abraham, a vertical corridor that inspires creative gap-to-rail concepts and long, multi-set lines (city’s stairways brief). Across Old Québec and La Cité–Limoilou you’ll find classic straight-shot rail stacks, offset entries around historic stonework, and snowbank-assisted ledges that form after storms. The UNESCO protection over the Historic District of Old Québec means the built environment is well preserved—and demands extra care and respect from visitors.
Park infrastructure and events
While the city itself is the headline for street, the immediate region supplies tuned park laps to warm up tricks and calibrate speed. Ten to twenty minutes north, Stoneham runs three terrain parks plus a permanent halfpipe structure, and Le Relais in Lac-Beauport operates three progressive parks with extensive night skiing. Downtown has hosted city big-air World Cups during the Jamboree, underscoring how the urban core can be adapted to showcase freeskiing at a world-stage level. The broader winter calendar includes the Québec Winter Carnival, which transforms public spaces with ice and snow installations—useful context for planning access and traffic around filming windows.
Access, logistics, and on-mountain flow
Fly into Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) or arrive by train at Gare du Palais in Lower Town. Within the city, proximity is your ally: many classic zones cluster between the Old Port, Petit-Champlain, the Upper Town ramparts, and the Saint-Roch grid. After storms, monitor the city’s snow-removal operations to anticipate when snowbanks will build (useful for takeoffs) or be hauled away (affecting resets and runouts). For professional shoots on public property, Québec requires a filming permit; the municipal film office can help with logistics and parking permissions.
Flow for street days is about smart sequencing. Start with low-risk rail mileage to check wax and edge hold, then step to bigger drops as temperatures stabilize. If you need a park tune-up, slot early-morning laps at Stoneham or Le Relais before returning downtown for golden-hour or night shots under city lights.
Local culture, safety, and etiquette
Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage site with active preservation—treat it like a museum that people live in. Avoid damaging surfaces, pad rails and ledges where contact is possible, keep shovels and salt off delicate stone, and clear paths quickly for pedestrians. Québec enforces “peace and good order” bylaws in public spaces; be courteous, manage noise and crowding, and expect attention if you block access or create hazards (municipal bylaw portal). Helmets, spotters, radios, and high-visibility layers are standard for crews working at night. For historic parks like the Plains of Abraham and the Fortifications of Québec, confirm site-specific rules before you set a feature.
Best time to go and how to plan
Prime street windows run from mid-December through early March, with January–February offering the most repeatable cold for speed and landings. Build schedules around post-storm clean-up: early hours deliver fresh banks for pop and catch, while late-night sessions benefit from firm surfaces and empty streets. Cross-reference weather with ECCC normals and current forecasts, and check the city’s snow-removal dashboard to avoid parking bans and overnight hauling. When you need consistency, pivot to Stoneham or Le Relais for calibrated park speed, then return downtown when temperatures and traffic line up.
Why freeskiers care
Québec City blends architectural density, dependable winter, and a mature filming ecosystem better than almost anywhere. You get centuries-old stone backdrops, modern rail stock, municipal lighting, and a culture that understands winter as daily life. Add nearby parks for trick calibration and occasional downtown big-air pedigree, and you have a destination where street skiers can craft full segments in a single city. For crews chasing authentic urban lines with efficient resets and a distinct visual identity, Québec City is a top-tier canvas.
Arsenic Anywhere
Brand overview and significance
Arsenic Anywhere is an independent ski apparel label rooted in freeski culture. Born from the park-and-street scene and steered by the creator known as Tall T Dan, the brand’s mantra—“Anywhere with the right people”—captures its DIY ethos and community-first identity. Arsenic focuses on making gear that riders actually wear every day: baggy shells and snowpants for chairlift laps and street missions, fleeces for travel days, and accessories built for long winters. The brand releases most products in limited drops and runs a direct-to-rider storefront, which has helped it stay nimble and responsive to what the core scene wants.
While Arsenic isn’t a ski manufacturer, it has become a recognizable name on hill and in edits. Its look—oversized silhouettes, functional details, and bold but tasteful color blocking—speaks to skiers who want kit that rides well, holds up to abuse, and still feels like part of the culture. You’ll spot Arsenic in grassroots films and on resort laps rather than on big-budget podiums, and that authenticity is a major part of its appeal.
Product lines and key technologies
Arsenic’s outerwear centers on hardwearing shells and pants—standouts include the Big Strides snowpants and the Big Swing 3-layer jacket. Construction highlights typically include a tough nylon face fabric bonded to a waterproof membrane, reinforced seams at stress points, and waterproof zippers on high-exposure pockets. Design details like wide-wale corduroy under cargo flaps, packable pieces in the Adventure line, and quarter-zip fleeces add warmth and character without overcomplicating the kit.
Beyond outerwear, the brand rotates capsule drops with fleeces, vests, hoodies, beanies, and graphic tops. The approach is iterative: small batches, feedback from riders, and frequent refinements. Because collections sell through quickly, it’s common to see restocks or new colorways pop up across seasons.
Ride feel: who it’s for (terrains & use-cases)
Arsenic targets skiers who split time between park, resort laps, urban features, and spring camp sessions. The baggy cut allows for full range of motion on rails and side hits, while the shell fabrics and taped zips keep slush, spindrift, and chairlift spray on the outside. On storm days, the 3-layer shell and snowpants pair well with standard base layers; on bluebirds, the outerwear vents and breathes enough for lapping from first chair to last. If you’re hunting a minimalist, race-tight fit or ultralight alpine-touring kit, this isn’t that. If you want durable, movement-friendly gear for park, freeski, and big-resort days, this is squarely in the pocket.
Team presence, competitions, and reputation
Arsenic’s impact is cultural more than podium-driven. Instead of a traditional race or World Cup program, the brand shows up in street edits, grassroots films, and rider-led projects, often via its own channels like YouTube and Instagram. Projects such as women-led edits and community collabs underscore the “for the homies” spirit. The result is a reputation for supporting the parts of freeskiing—slopestyle laps, big air sessions, parking-lot hangs—that keep the scene vibrant between contests.
Geography and hubs (heritage, testing, venues)
Arsenic ships from Vermont, with strong ties to East Coast resort culture and the broader North American park scene. The gear is a common sight during spring and pre-season sessions at places like Sugarbush in Vermont, Bear Mountain / Big Bear Mountain Resort in Southern California, and the long summer laps at Timberline Lodge (Mt. Hood). Internationally, the brand’s community often intersects with gatherings like Kimbo Sessions, where modern freeski style gets shaped year after year.
Construction, durability, and sustainability
The outerwear prioritizes durability: heavyweight nylon faces, bonded waterproof membranes, reinforcement at wear points, and seam-sealed, high-exposure pockets. This isn’t ultra-featherweight backcountry kit; it’s built to survive rails, seats, rope tows, and curb drops without blowing out prematurely. Limited-run production is part of Arsenic’s model, which naturally curbs overproduction, and the small-batch approach makes iterative improvements easier based on rider feedback. Care guidance tends to favor longevity—regular clean/rewaterproof cycles for shells, line-drying, and avoiding harsh heat—so pieces keep their weather resistance longer.
How to choose within the lineup
Start with conditions and where you ski most. If your winters are mixed—cold storms, then sunny park laps—the 3-layer shell jacket plus Big Strides pants covers the widest range. If you want a slightly warmer, everyday resort setup, pair a shell pant with a mid-weight insulated jacket or a fleece/vest combo from the Adventure line. For heavy park and street use, lean into the baggier fits for mobility and layering room; check current size notes and fit guides before buying because drops vary and some items run intentionally roomy. Accessories (beanies, midlayers) are the easiest entry point if you’re building a kit slowly between releases.
Why riders care
Arsenic Anywhere resonates because it feels inseparable from the freeski life: shooting with friends, traveling to dig a feature, lapping the park until the lights flip off, and grabbing food together afterward. The brand is built by skiers for skiers, and that shows in both the gear and the way it’s released—community-driven, iterative, and purpose-built. If you want apparel that rides well in the park and across big-mountain resort days, that endures the grind of rails and rope tows, and that reflects the culture you’re part of, Arsenic offers a tight, evolving lineup that punches above its size.
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