Bonfire Snowboarding
Encyclopedia
Bonfire Snowboarding is a manufacturer of snowboarding
outerwear.. Founded in 1989 by Pro Snowboarder and industry pioneer, Brad Steward, Bonfire specializes in men’s, women’s and children’s pants, jackets, gloves and accessories, as well as a new line of men’s and women’s boots. Bonfire has dealers in the U.S. as well as internationally. The company is based out of Portland, Oregon
:
in 1989, with the creation of three unique t-shirts by Pro Snowboarder and industry pioneer, Brad Steward. The first shirt featured the word ‘bonfire’ enlarged in a rough copy, directly from an old Sears brand typewriter .
In 1992 and with new headquarters in Portland, Oregon
, Bonfire debuted their outerwear line during the summer season at Mt. Hood. Bonfire products were given to top Pros of the day, and with the riders’ support, Bonfire quickly grew beyond the summer camps and become one of the leading apparel companies on the market . The original Bonfire team consisted of Matt Goodwill, Jim Moran, Todd Franzen, Matt Donahue, Mark Hibdon, and Noah Brandon.
In 1993, Bonfire hosted their first annual Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
contest at Windells Snowboard Camp , which has since become the longest running summer snowboard event in the world.
In December 1995 Bonfire was acquired by Salomon
, which acted as a financial backer and allowed Bonfire to continue to grow. A full team of designers and product developers were added, and Bonfire Europe was established .
In 2000 Brad Steward left his active role at Bonfire to pursue his interest in film. In 2003, after directing commercials, music videos and more, Steward returned to a more active role at Bonfire, which he maintains today as Marketing Director .
Now in its 21st season, Bonfire remains an active, eclectic and independent brand straight from the slopes, rails, parks and people that make Mt. Hood a place that snowboarding calls home .
Bonfire has a history of supporting its riders through creative projects. Several of the company’s riders have pursued film projects including Leanne Pelosi with Misschief Films
and Runway Films, and David Benedek
with Robot Food, 91 Words for Snow, and The Gap Session (2).
. This is the beginning. He calls it Bonfire Think Tank Designs.
1992 – Bonfire debuts outerwear at Mt. Hood. The original team consists of Matt Goodwill, Jim Moran, Todd Franzen, Matt Donahue, Mark Hibdon, and Noah Brandon.
1992 – Bonfire Japan gets rolling with Hasco, the first company to import US Skate brands in Japan.
1993 – Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
begins at Windell’s Snowboard Camp. It becomes a summer tradition for Bonfire and Windell’s to host a BBQ and snowboarding and skateboarding event for Ams, Pros, locals and campers to participate in.
1994 – Bonfire moves out of the Salem
garage/office and into the Portland
Firehouse.
1994 – Lance Pitman, Bobby Meeks, Chris Roach, Shannon Melhuse and Aleksi Vanninen join the team.
1995 – Salomon
comes on board as a financial backer to allow Bonfire to continue to grow. Bonfire is officially Bonfire Snowboarding Inc. Distribution grows.
1995 – Bonfire crosses the Atlantic and Bonfire Europe is born.
1995 – Jake Blattner, Jason Ford and Michelle Taggart join the Bonfire team.
1995 – Women’s outerwear launches.
1996 – Erika Clark joins Bonfire as Lead Designer.
1996 – The flame logo is born.
1996 – Phil College joins the Bonfire family. He is currently Managing Director.
1996 – Boarding for Breast Cancer
starts in honor of Bonfire co-founder Monica Steward, who died from breast cancer at the age of 29.
1997 – Jason McAlister joins the team.
1998 – David Benedek
joins the team.
1998 – Through the SIA (Snowsports Industry of America) Bonfire founder Brad Steward and Burton founder Jake Burton
sue U.S. Skiing over Olympic qualification process for snowboarders. Resulting in a settlement that produces the Grand Prix series for snowboarders to enter the Olympics.
2000 – Kyle Clancy, Minna Hesso, Keiko Yanagisawa, Markus Jonsson, Scott Gaffney and Tara Teigen join the team.
2000 – Brad Steward leaves his active role at Bonfire to pursue his interest in film. He directs commercials, music videos and more.
2001 – Guillaume Morriset, Espen Arvesen and Kamimori join the team.
2002 – Josh Dirksen, Jeremy Jones and Mitch Nelson join the team.
2002 – Bonfire Rider David Benedek
wins 1st overall, 1st in Quarterpipe and 2nd in slopestyle at the 2002 Burton European Open.
2002 – David Benedek
wins the Air & Style
.
2003 – Brad returns to a more active role in the brand, which he maintains today as Marketing Director for Bonfire.
2003 – Amy (Johnson) Eichner ends her snowboarding career with a third place finish at the X-Games
and joins the Bonfire family in Portland
as marketing coordinator. She is currently Bonfire’s Global Marketing Manager.
2003 – Bonfire invents the Hood rail attachment system, which offers a simple new way to remove hoods without messy Velcro
or awkward snaps.
2003 – David Benedek
is named Snowboarder Magazine’s Rider of the Year and is also awarded Snowboarder Magazine’s title for Best Video Part of the Year.
2004 – Bonfire rider David Benedek
is voted Snowboarder’s Rider of the Year for the second year in a row.
2004 – For our 15th Anniversary Bonfire makes a limited edition Bonfire Snowboard.
2004 – Shawn Foster joins Bonfire as Lead Designer.
2004 – Brad and then Product Line Manager Alex Birch hear about a young Canadian girl who kills it. Leanne Pelosi joins the Bonfire team.
2005 – Bonfire rider Leanne Pelosi is awarded Transworld Snowboarding
’s coveted Female Rider of the Year Award.
2005 – Bonfire rider Chad Otterstrom is awarded Transworld Snowboarding
’s Rider of the Year after a season of first place finishes.
2005 – Bonfire rider Josh Dirksen lands the highest backside air of all time and 2 cover shots on the September issue of Transworld Snowboarding Magazine
. One features the highest air, the other features a monstrous one foot air on the backside hip.
2006 – Fireman Jacket reissued – 200 limited edition pieces available in waterproof black leather.
2006 – Bonfire rider David Benedek
voted Transworld Snowboarding
’s Standout of the Year.
2006 – Bonfire team rider Josh Dirksen starts the Dirksen Derby to raise money for Mt. Bachelor local Tyler Eckland.
2007 – Austrian Werni Stock and Oregonian Jarad Hadi join the Bonfire Am Team.
2008 – Louif Paradis moves up in the ranks and joins the Global Pro Team with a break out video part in Transworld Snowboarding
’s flick, These Days and a growing reputation as one of the most technical rail riders of all time.
2008 – So Cal’s Harrison Gordon joins the Am Roster.
2008 – Global Marketing Manager Amy Eichner wins the Women’s Master’s category at the Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom.
2009 – The 12th Annual Pipe to Pipe
series offers an opportunity for Ams and Pros to ride together in a fun, progressive environment. First place finishers in the 3 part series include: Johnny Lazzareschi, Ted Borland, Scott Hoffman, Laura Rogoski and Victoria Guinn.
2010 – Bode Merrill and Desiree Melancon join the team.
2010 – For the 13th Annual Pipe to Pipe
, Bonfire compiled the normally spread-out series into a one-shot day of skating and riding. Both courses were changed up – the snow event featured a 150 feet (45.7 m) mini pipe filled with a mix of features and jibs. The skate event took place at Windells’ newly constructed outdoor concrete jungle, allowing for a record turn out in both contestants and spectators alike.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
outerwear.. Founded in 1989 by Pro Snowboarder and industry pioneer, Brad Steward, Bonfire specializes in men’s, women’s and children’s pants, jackets, gloves and accessories, as well as a new line of men’s and women’s boots. Bonfire has dealers in the U.S. as well as internationally. The company is based out of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
:
History
Bonfire Snowboarding began in Huntington Beach, CaliforniaHuntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
in 1989, with the creation of three unique t-shirts by Pro Snowboarder and industry pioneer, Brad Steward. The first shirt featured the word ‘bonfire’ enlarged in a rough copy, directly from an old Sears brand typewriter .
In 1992 and with new headquarters in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Bonfire debuted their outerwear line during the summer season at Mt. Hood. Bonfire products were given to top Pros of the day, and with the riders’ support, Bonfire quickly grew beyond the summer camps and become one of the leading apparel companies on the market . The original Bonfire team consisted of Matt Goodwill, Jim Moran, Todd Franzen, Matt Donahue, Mark Hibdon, and Noah Brandon.
In 1993, Bonfire hosted their first annual Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
Pipe to Pipe is a snowboard and skateboard contest sponsored by Bonfire Snowboarding and Windells Snowboard Camp . It is held during the summer months at Timberline Resort and Windells Camp...
contest at Windells Snowboard Camp , which has since become the longest running summer snowboard event in the world.
In December 1995 Bonfire was acquired by Salomon
Salomon Group
The Salomon Group is a sports equipment manufacturing company that originated in Annecy, France. The company was started in 1947 by François Salomon and his wife and son. In 1997 it became part of the Adidas group. On 2 May 2005, Adidas-Salomon announced that it had agreed to sell the Salomon...
, which acted as a financial backer and allowed Bonfire to continue to grow. A full team of designers and product developers were added, and Bonfire Europe was established .
In 2000 Brad Steward left his active role at Bonfire to pursue his interest in film. In 2003, after directing commercials, music videos and more, Steward returned to a more active role at Bonfire, which he maintains today as Marketing Director .
Now in its 21st season, Bonfire remains an active, eclectic and independent brand straight from the slopes, rails, parks and people that make Mt. Hood a place that snowboarding calls home .
Team
| Pro Team | Am Team |
|---|---|
| Bode Merrill | Desiree Melancon |
| Takaharu Nakai | Werni Stock |
| Josh Dirksen | Viktor Teymorov |
| Leanne Pelosi | Harrison Gordon |
| Louif Paradis | Jarad Hadi |
| Chad Otterstrom | Sawyer Dean |
| David Benedek David Benedek David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing... |
Bonfire has a history of supporting its riders through creative projects. Several of the company’s riders have pursued film projects including Leanne Pelosi with Misschief Films
Misschief Films
Misschief Films is a snowboarding film and production company founded in 2005 that produces all-girl movies.-History:Co-founded by female snowboarders Amber Stackhouse and Fabia Grueebler with the goal of progressing female snowboarding and providing more exposure to female snowboarders...
and Runway Films, and David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
with Robot Food, 91 Words for Snow, and The Gap Session (2).
Timeline
1989 – Pro-snowboarder and photographer Brad Steward creates three unique t-shirts in Huntington Beach, CaliforniaHuntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
. This is the beginning. He calls it Bonfire Think Tank Designs.
1992 – Bonfire debuts outerwear at Mt. Hood. The original team consists of Matt Goodwill, Jim Moran, Todd Franzen, Matt Donahue, Mark Hibdon, and Noah Brandon.
1992 – Bonfire Japan gets rolling with Hasco, the first company to import US Skate brands in Japan.
1993 – Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
Pipe to Pipe is a snowboard and skateboard contest sponsored by Bonfire Snowboarding and Windells Snowboard Camp . It is held during the summer months at Timberline Resort and Windells Camp...
begins at Windell’s Snowboard Camp. It becomes a summer tradition for Bonfire and Windell’s to host a BBQ and snowboarding and skateboarding event for Ams, Pros, locals and campers to participate in.
1994 – Bonfire moves out of the Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
garage/office and into the Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
Firehouse.
1994 – Lance Pitman, Bobby Meeks, Chris Roach, Shannon Melhuse and Aleksi Vanninen join the team.
1995 – Salomon
Salomon Group
The Salomon Group is a sports equipment manufacturing company that originated in Annecy, France. The company was started in 1947 by François Salomon and his wife and son. In 1997 it became part of the Adidas group. On 2 May 2005, Adidas-Salomon announced that it had agreed to sell the Salomon...
comes on board as a financial backer to allow Bonfire to continue to grow. Bonfire is officially Bonfire Snowboarding Inc. Distribution grows.
1995 – Bonfire crosses the Atlantic and Bonfire Europe is born.
1995 – Jake Blattner, Jason Ford and Michelle Taggart join the Bonfire team.
1995 – Women’s outerwear launches.
1996 – Erika Clark joins Bonfire as Lead Designer.
1996 – The flame logo is born.
1996 – Phil College joins the Bonfire family. He is currently Managing Director.
1996 – Boarding for Breast Cancer
Boarding for Breast Cancer
Boarding for Breast Cancer is a 5013 nonprofit foundation that provides breast cancer awareness, education, prevention and support for young people and the action sports community at large...
starts in honor of Bonfire co-founder Monica Steward, who died from breast cancer at the age of 29.
1997 – Jason McAlister joins the team.
1998 – David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
joins the team.
1998 – Through the SIA (Snowsports Industry of America) Bonfire founder Brad Steward and Burton founder Jake Burton
Jake Burton Carpenter
Jake Burton Carpenter , also known as Jake Burton, is an American snowboarder and founder of Burton Snowboards. He grew up in Cedarhurst, New York.- Biography :...
sue U.S. Skiing over Olympic qualification process for snowboarders. Resulting in a settlement that produces the Grand Prix series for snowboarders to enter the Olympics.
2000 – Kyle Clancy, Minna Hesso, Keiko Yanagisawa, Markus Jonsson, Scott Gaffney and Tara Teigen join the team.
2000 – Brad Steward leaves his active role at Bonfire to pursue his interest in film. He directs commercials, music videos and more.
2001 – Guillaume Morriset, Espen Arvesen and Kamimori join the team.
2002 – Josh Dirksen, Jeremy Jones and Mitch Nelson join the team.
2002 – Bonfire Rider David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
wins 1st overall, 1st in Quarterpipe and 2nd in slopestyle at the 2002 Burton European Open.
2002 – David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
wins the Air & Style
Air & Style
The Air & Style is a European snowboard contest first held in Innsbruck, Austria in 1994 and now held annually.-History:Charly Weger and his snowboard photographer friend Andrew Hourmont first started the Air & Style Contest in Innsbruck. They only expected some hundred spectators but more than a...
.
2003 – Brad returns to a more active role in the brand, which he maintains today as Marketing Director for Bonfire.
2003 – Amy (Johnson) Eichner ends her snowboarding career with a third place finish at the X-Games
X Games
The X Games is a commercial annual sports event, controlled and arranged by US sports broadcaster ESPN, which focuses on action sports. The inaugural X Games was held in the summer of 1995 in Rhode Island....
and joins the Bonfire family in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
as marketing coordinator. She is currently Bonfire’s Global Marketing Manager.
2003 – Bonfire invents the Hood rail attachment system, which offers a simple new way to remove hoods without messy Velcro
Velcro
Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
or awkward snaps.
2003 – David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
is named Snowboarder Magazine’s Rider of the Year and is also awarded Snowboarder Magazine’s title for Best Video Part of the Year.
2004 – Bonfire rider David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
is voted Snowboarder’s Rider of the Year for the second year in a row.
2004 – For our 15th Anniversary Bonfire makes a limited edition Bonfire Snowboard.
2004 – Shawn Foster joins Bonfire as Lead Designer.
2004 – Brad and then Product Line Manager Alex Birch hear about a young Canadian girl who kills it. Leanne Pelosi joins the Bonfire team.
2005 – Bonfire rider Leanne Pelosi is awarded Transworld Snowboarding
Transworld Snowboarding
TransWorld SNOWboarding is an American magazine focused on the snowboarding culture. It is published 10 times a year by Bonnier Corporation and features the sport, culture and lifestyle of modern snowboarding.-History:...
’s coveted Female Rider of the Year Award.
2005 – Bonfire rider Chad Otterstrom is awarded Transworld Snowboarding
Transworld Snowboarding
TransWorld SNOWboarding is an American magazine focused on the snowboarding culture. It is published 10 times a year by Bonnier Corporation and features the sport, culture and lifestyle of modern snowboarding.-History:...
’s Rider of the Year after a season of first place finishes.
2005 – Bonfire rider Josh Dirksen lands the highest backside air of all time and 2 cover shots on the September issue of Transworld Snowboarding Magazine
Transworld Snowboarding
TransWorld SNOWboarding is an American magazine focused on the snowboarding culture. It is published 10 times a year by Bonnier Corporation and features the sport, culture and lifestyle of modern snowboarding.-History:...
. One features the highest air, the other features a monstrous one foot air on the backside hip.
2006 – Fireman Jacket reissued – 200 limited edition pieces available in waterproof black leather.
2006 – Bonfire rider David Benedek
David Benedek
David Benedek is a professional snowboarder, graphic designer and film maker. He is the co-founder of former US-based production company Robot Food as well as founder of Germany based Blank Paper Studio. David is most notable for his creative approach to Snowboarding as well as for pushing...
voted Transworld Snowboarding
Transworld Snowboarding
TransWorld SNOWboarding is an American magazine focused on the snowboarding culture. It is published 10 times a year by Bonnier Corporation and features the sport, culture and lifestyle of modern snowboarding.-History:...
’s Standout of the Year.
2006 – Bonfire team rider Josh Dirksen starts the Dirksen Derby to raise money for Mt. Bachelor local Tyler Eckland.
2007 – Austrian Werni Stock and Oregonian Jarad Hadi join the Bonfire Am Team.
2008 – Louif Paradis moves up in the ranks and joins the Global Pro Team with a break out video part in Transworld Snowboarding
Transworld Snowboarding
TransWorld SNOWboarding is an American magazine focused on the snowboarding culture. It is published 10 times a year by Bonnier Corporation and features the sport, culture and lifestyle of modern snowboarding.-History:...
’s flick, These Days and a growing reputation as one of the most technical rail riders of all time.
2008 – So Cal’s Harrison Gordon joins the Am Roster.
2008 – Global Marketing Manager Amy Eichner wins the Women’s Master’s category at the Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom.
2009 – The 12th Annual Pipe to Pipe
Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
Pipe to Pipe is a snowboard and skateboard contest sponsored by Bonfire Snowboarding and Windells Snowboard Camp . It is held during the summer months at Timberline Resort and Windells Camp...
series offers an opportunity for Ams and Pros to ride together in a fun, progressive environment. First place finishers in the 3 part series include: Johnny Lazzareschi, Ted Borland, Scott Hoffman, Laura Rogoski and Victoria Guinn.
2010 – Bode Merrill and Desiree Melancon join the team.
2010 – For the 13th Annual Pipe to Pipe
Bonfire Pipe to Pipe
Pipe to Pipe is a snowboard and skateboard contest sponsored by Bonfire Snowboarding and Windells Snowboard Camp . It is held during the summer months at Timberline Resort and Windells Camp...
, Bonfire compiled the normally spread-out series into a one-shot day of skating and riding. Both courses were changed up – the snow event featured a 150 feet (45.7 m) mini pipe filled with a mix of features and jibs. The skate event took place at Windells’ newly constructed outdoor concrete jungle, allowing for a record turn out in both contestants and spectators alike.