Specialized in the conception of urban snow infrastructure, Conceptions Snotech is responsible for a lot of the new urban snowparks we’ve seen popping in the province lately. We know their parks are super good, but don’t know much about the people behind it. Reason why we got in touch with the company’s president Ulysse to know what they are all about.
Keep scrolling to learn more about this Quebec company and their buttery realizations.
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How and when did Conceptions Snotech started? My partner Karl and I started Snotech in 2017. It started kind of randomly. Carl and I were living together at the time and we both did a bit a snowpark conception for Bromont. When we finished school, we were talking about maybe starting a snowpark conception business, but nothing serious. The following Fall, we saw in the Granby Newspapers that the city was looking to build an urban snowpark in its city center. We’re both from Granby, so we just went ahead and approached the city. We got in touch with the city, registered the company and the rest is history! How many parks do you have under your belt? We build and take care of 5 parks now. It’s crazy to think that our business grew that much in such a short amount of time. What’s the urban snowpark building process from A to Z? Our goal is to offer cities an all-inclusive package that covers all of the partner cities needs. First we get in touch with cities, then we go on the field to check the terrain. Once the terrain is evaluated, we jump on the 3D plan and then we submit it to the city in question. Once the project is approved, we go on site, produce a lot of snow and build the obstacles. After that, we maintain the course once a week for the Winter. We also organize activities with our partner cities like contests, introduction to snowboarding, coaching filming and photography. That’s basically our package deal. What kind of equipment do you need to build a perfect urban snowpark? We rent snowguns to shoot snow and build the obstacles. We also rent a snow groomer for the first groom. Then we use our own smaller snow groomer to maintain the park all winter. As for our rails, they are built by Coastal Jibs.
You are an active snowboard filmer for FrenchFragrance. Do you take inspiration from street obstacles to build your parks? We do! We have a lot of regular obstacles like flat rails and flat downs, but we also try to incorporate more and more funky and street looking obstacles to our constructions. The first idea that comes to my mind is Cowansville curved down flat down. That came directly from a street obstacle that I filmed at a few years ago. Where do you see your company in a few years? What’s the future for Urban parks? Urban Snowparks are really taking a more and more important place in our cities. Just look at the Ojo Park. I feel like this is just the beginning and that soon, every city will have a snowpark to offer to its citizens. It’s also cool to see young people who go to the hills just to sled with their families and end up getting introduced to snowboarding by watching the riders who are using our obstacles. I think it’s very positive for the youth and it’s only the beginning. Now, we have way more references to show cities when asking for an urban park. If you’d like to have an urban snowpark in your city, get in touch with your local city officials and use the parks that already exist as a reference!
THE PARKS
GranbyGranby was the first Snotech conception snowpark and definitely one to visit. With a down rail, a down flat down rail, a flat rail transfer to a down rail and a flat box for beginners, all skill levels are welcome and will find fun at the Granby Park.
Cowansville
Cowansville is one of the sickest parks made by Snotech! This one is made for all skills levels and adapted for snow skating as well. In this park, you’ll find a rainbow box, a down box as well as a small down rail. There’s also that famous down flat down rail with a curved kink. We strongly recommend you to visit this beast of a park.
Farnham
Farnham is also a really sick park and its obstacles are set up mostly on the flat bottom of the hill, making it easy for beginners to learn new tricks. That being said, there is a down round mailbox in the middle of the hill for those who want to take it to the next level.
Saint-Césaire
The Saint-Césaire urban park is an amazing place that was designed for the whole family and for snowboarders who want to take their skills to the next level. If you like to snowboard, you’ll be happy there. If you just prefer to sled down a mellow hill, you’ll be happy there as well! Snow-skater, the park has got you covered with smaller obstacles the need a bit less pop!
Saint-Constant
Snotech’s newest realization and latest baby, the Saint-Constant park is definitely made to learn and to take your skills to the next level. Wether you are a snowboarder, a snowskater or just someone looking for a fun day of sledding with the family, the Saint-Constant park has everything you need to have a blast. Small flat box, flat rail, mini down rail and much more. For the more advanced riders, there is a jump. A nice flat rail, a trapeze rail and even a pole jam.
If you’d like to have a park in your city next year, you know what to do! Get in touch with your city, demand for a snowpark and point them towards Conceptions Snotech! They will be happy to assist with an all-inclusive package that won’t leave you hanging!