ESPN Snowboarding

Alexandra Erickson

It's always a party at Windells Snowboard Camp.

In our continuing series of interviews with the best-known camps' head honchos, we recently hooked up with Oregon's Tim Windell. It's no wonder Windell's name has become synonymous with snowboard summer camps: he helped invent the genre way back in 1986 (w/ Craig Kelly, no less). With a successful pro career throughout the 80s and 90s—including being crowned Vice World Champion twice and appearing on TV and in magazines—Tim, now 44, took his experiences from training gates and riding pipe, invited some of the world's best riders up to Mt. Hood in 1988, and Windells is now a household name—at least, in snowboarding households. Tim has also been reelected to the board of the USASA for 2009. With 53 acres of fun spanning everything from jib lines to skate parks, foam pits and more, Windells is a camp that takes its fun seriously, winter or summer.

ESPN: So what's your role at Windells Camp?

Tim Windell: To ensure all campers that visit Windells have the time of their life! I'm the idea guy, director of fun, one of the snowboarders, one of the skiers, one of the skateboarders and one of the BMX guys that mans the helm of the Windells ship. I truly have the best job in the world...

When does everyone show up and when does it really get into full force?

Funny question: the fun never ends [here]. As we own the campus, titled "the Funnest place on Earth," we host events, weekend programs, birthday parties, groups, industry functions and have pros on-site all year long. Windells Academy will operate 52 weeks out of the year.

How many coaches and diggers do you employ?

We employ 38 ski and snowboard coaches, 25 counselors, 10 skateboard, and two BMX and gymnastic coaches. All [of them] run activities both on-and off-hill and all ensure Windells experience is the time of each and every camper's life.

How does Windells differentiate itself from other camps?

Windells has a full-blown, private campus that is all-inclusive. Each session, campers, staff and visiting pros assemble into a 300-person strong support staff, encouraging campers, staff and pros alike to ride beyond their wildest dreams. This translates into a family atmosphere that works for us. Every US Olympic medalist to date [ed. in snowboarding] has been through Windells program. The top 10 overall male and eight of the top 10 overall female snowboarders in this year's Dew Tour have attended Windells. Six of the male and four female skiers in this year's Dew Tour have attended. With few outside distractions, and a positive, encouraging staff we break the fun-do-meter day in, and day out...

So what can we expect this summer? Anything in particular you're excited about?

First and foremost, I'm always excited to see the campers, and former campers that turned pro like Travis Kennedy, MFM, Mason Aguirre, Scotty Lago etc. Here are a few other things: the new, private handle tow in our area; all the snow Timberline has; the three P2P [Pipe2Pipe] events Windells will be hosting during June and July; hosting Snowboarder Mag's "Next Top Pro Model" event and Pat Milberry's signature feature sessions, [where we] bring in top pros to build a new feature based on their own design for the campers to ride; seven skateboard demos with companies like Girl and Chocolate; six BMX demos (as of now); freeride demos; all the crews filming at Windells; our coaches, kitchen staff, counselors; the newly remodeled room, "bob," [ed. Building Out Back] and facilities... And, most importantly, I am excited to see the smiles on campers' faces and ride with all that attend.

Describe the typical terrain setup a rider can expect to find in the Windells area:

Session One will start off with a bang. We'll have a 50, 65 and 80-foot triple line, leading into a pipe and then into another two triple lines with 10, 10 and 20 footers and 20, 30 and 35 footers. We will be strategically placing 27 rails, boxes, and wall rides throughout the on-hill area. This whole park will be lift accessible into July. [The] park is going to be awesome and nearly a mile long... We change up our facilities each and every session so that campers in any session can progress to their fullest abilities.

Alexandra Erickson

Glacier life is the good life. Get on up this summer.

What about off-hill activities?

Just seeing the kids' faces upon driving into the main campus says it all. Windells campus is an action sports junky's dream come true. We have something for everyone. From the all-girl activities that run each and every day to the six-plus activities Windells runs every hour on the hour.

What's the average age for a Windells camper?

It depends on the session but generally 13 to 14.

Anything special for the grown-up shredders out there?

Windells runs an adult program every session we operate throughout the year. Adults travel together, check out the sites and northwest nightlife. They visit the festivals, outings, bike, hike and all in all hang out with the pros and Windells staff. It's a great opportunity to dive into the action sports industry with the Windells family and live in the dream. The adult house is newly remodeled with a hot tub and a ton of other activities. This program is surely going to be the time of your life...

Costs and exact session dates can be found on the Windells' website

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