Brimacombe, home of the Oshawa Ski Club

The Brimacombe StorySteve Barlow

The first time Steve Barlow hit the slopes at Brimacombe was his second birthday. After that, Steve has a hard time remembering weekends that he and his family didn't spend on the snow!

At eight, Steve traded in his skis for a snowboard after watching his friend Matt Morison board the hills of Brimacombe. Racing began a few years later and quickly grew into a passion as he began competing with excellent results, and was named to the Ontario Provincial Team.

In 2006, Steve took time off from his training to complete his machinist apprenticeship. During that time Steve competed occasionally at east coast races and coached the Brimacombe snowboard race team on weekends. Once Steve got his machinist certification he knew his heart was in snowboarding and made the move to Calgary to join the Calgary Snowboard Club.

For the past two years Steve has been racing all over North America and Europe, earning four top five places on the Nor-Am tour including two silvers, a third place at a FIS race in Switzerland and sixth place at the North American finals. Steve had his first world cup start in Stoneham, Quebec last season.

His hard work paid off, as this spring Steve was named as the first alternate to the National snowboard team. With this nomination, Steve has the possibility of more World Cup starts next season and a chance of qualifying for the Canadian Snowboard team at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

Through all his successes, Steve says it's still fun come home and go out to Brimacombe with his family, rip the bowl with his dad, and devour one of his mom's delicious lunches. Though he doesn't get to come home much, he cherishes when he does to see old friends and all the talented alpine snowboarders that ride at Brimacombe.

Provided by Melissa Bies
Last updated: December 2009