Chris Kelley - Levitation Project

Corey McDonald

WHY ARE YOU WORKING WITH THE LEVITATION PROJECT?

From the first day I met Nico and some of the LP riders up at Hood 2 summers ago I knew there was something different going on. I wanted to be a part of it one way or another… and apparently they thought the same thing! Later getting to know more about the company and all that is behind it made me want to do whatever it takes to help make it the best rider drivin company in the industry.

WHAT WAS THE DECIDING FACTOR IN COMING ABOARD?

Probably Halloween 08’? The team came up to do some backyard jibbing that ended up not happening due to rain. Just the the attitude of everyone involved with levitation being just so down to send it whether the shred happened or not good times were going to happen!

HOW IS THE LEVITATION PROJECT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BRANDS?

Only a few company’s in the industry have a mad scientist at the helm running things. Nico is that and much more. Single handedly bringing together the most amazing crew to help with his passion for setting off a truly rider driven company. The difference is simply passion!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LEVITATION PRODUCT?

Huge fan of the base layer shorts! The facemasks are a must on a pow day.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN SNOWBOARDING?

I have been riding for 22 years and lived around Idaho, Montana and Utah when snowboarding was really at a amazing time! (93-97) I have been building parks for 15 years and currently working for Planet Snowtools during the winter months and HCSC on hill manager in the summer months.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SUMMER JOB?

I spend my summers up at Hood as the On hill manager/Head Digger at HCSC. It’s a pretty fun way to spend your summers working and riding with some of the most passionate people you will ever meet. I get to assemble a crew of pretty badass snowboarders to help me create the best park possible up there. My wife and kids come up with me and spend their summers in Govy. Not a bad place for the kids to grow up.

WHAT DOES SNOWBOARDING MEAN TO YOU?

Its much more than just a activity or a “Sport” to me. To me snowboarding is my release a way to escape, create, disappear, show off, whatever. Its been such a big part of my life leading me to so many cool places and friends. Always sounds goofy when people say “snowboarding is my life!” In my case Snowboarding has helped me to live a pretty awesome life!

WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU MADE TO GET WHERE YOU ARE?

It has been a sacrifice from day one. I come from a large family with 10 kids so in order to snowboard I had to do it all on my own. Me and my best friend Carson would go work our summers away up at a cannery in Alaska to be able to ride all winter. Alaska was not easy mentally or physicaly but we would do it knowing it was our ticket to get out of Boise and ride bigger mountains. Anything worth something to you is going to take sacrifice and at the time it just looks like a means to a end really not that big of a deal. Now with a family the stakes are a little higher and they all have been real troopers.

WHO ARE THE TOP 5 PEOPLE YOU RESPECT ALIVE OR DEAD?

  1. Stefani steele McDoanld (my Mom)
  2. Carson Ianson
  3. Jeff Tulloch
  4. All 6 of my Brothers

TOP 5 RIDERS OF ALL TIME?

  1. Peter Line
  2. Nick Perata
  3. Jamie Lynn
  4. Roan Rogers
  5. Terje

WHO DO YOU NEED TO THANK FOR HELPING YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE?

My family, Wife and kids, Carson Ianson, Jeff Tulloch, Kevin Porterfield at M3/MLY for getting me my first free board. Ryan Neptune, Paul Whitworth, Greg Goulet, Matt Whitlock for showing me and Idaho how your supposed to snowboard. HCSC for giving me a sweet job. Nico