THE COLLAB
Armada, evo and AI have collaborated to produce a limited quantity run of 35 early release 2021 skis. Sharing the same ethos of sustainability and community development, the partners will debut a new design of the 185 JJ UL. The skis feature original artwork by the founder of Armada and Alpine Initiatives and friend to evo, JP Auclair. Full proceeds of the skis will benefit the Canary Club which gets kids safely into the backcountry.
The ski is SOLD OUT but you can still donate and support us in our shop!
THE SKI
To date, three iterations of Armada x AI skis exist — all designed by JP Auclair. This release comes six years after JP’s death at the prompting of evo who constantly pushes the boundaries of doing more through their cause initiative. Expressed on the ski that bears his name, the minimalistic design is reflective of Auclair, featuring strong logos and original artwork.
The first ten orders will receive a complimentary AI kit.
THE BIRD
During the shooting of the viral All.I.Can. street section, JP Auclair and Dave Mossop were obsessed with Bansky - art that was free, non commoditized and evocative. They had the idea to incorporate art in the street section and flipped thru JP’s journal to see if there was anything.
They found the canary that JP drew for his girlfriend Ingrid. The ran to Kinkos, blew it up a million times, ran around at night dressed in black trying not to get caught, clumsily gluing it on to a wall in Trail, BC where they were shooting. They thought they were pretty cool and everyone was like eh, nice bird.
All.I.Can. released and something in that clip caught the imagination of people — perhaps it was what JP stood for — breaking boundaries and doing what you were not supposed to do, an energy of creativity and freedom.
At his passing, Sherpas Cinemas and AI called on the canary as a symbol to remember JP and to band us all together. It has been seen all over the world on helmets, water bottles, skis, bikes, cars, blown up on the edges of the quarter pipe at the JPM and still unites us.
Today, the canary still encapsulates so much, perhaps more than ever. We see it as symbol; more powerful than can be conveyed in words as it is not bogged down by the conscious mind trying to limit it to a word or two. It’s unlimited. And that is such an important feeling.
For AI, it personifies JP and the attributes that he shared with this world: hope, freedom, camaraderie, creativity, innovation, imagination, positivity, expression, an intangible essence of love and passion for this earth and for all life on it. Perhaps it’s a symbol reminding us how to live and be good people, how to love and respect each other, this earth and how to move forward.
CANARY CLUB
We recognize the world’s need to authentically connect, not only to nature but also with each other, to strengthen community and sustain healthy environments. Our home is the mountains, they evoke our being, shape our creativity, invoke a kinder spirit and ultimately inspire us to take the initiative to do more.
Guided by that inspiration and our mission to connect people to the mountains, Alpine Initiatives started the Canary Club. This program began with guided trips for youth into the untamed backcountry that encourage participants to unplug and be fully immersed in the outdoors.
In addition to a series of educational based instruction, we provide essential skills to safely explore the mountains. All ability levels are celebrated and each experience is catered toward individual and team growth. Each expedition challenges every participant and require them to step outside the comfort zone and connect with the natural world.
These diverse groups are built from students that would never otherwise have access to these types of experiences. We challenge the team, all their senses are invoked and a new awareness arises. They learn to be stewards of the land and all the lessons that can be taken from the mountains and applied to everyday life. Our programs inspire connection to the earth, to each other and to ourselves.
