History
Bonfire Snowboarding began in Huntington Beach, California in 1989, with the creation of three unique T-shirts by Pro Snowboarder and industry pioneer, Brad Steward. [2] The first shirt featured the word 'bonfire' enlarged in a rough copy, directly from an old Sears brand typewriter. [2]
In 1992 and with new headquarters in Portland, Oregon, [2] Bonfire debuted their outerwear line during the summer season at Mount 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. [2] The original Bonfire team consisted of Matt Goodwill, Jim Moran, Todd Franzen, Matt Donahue, Mark Hibdon, and Noah Brandon. [4]
In 1993, Bonfire hosted their first annual Bonfire Pipe to Pipe contest at Windells Snowboard Camp, [4] which has since become the longest running summer snowboard event in the world. [3]
In December 1995 Bonfire was acquired by Salomon, [2] which acted as a financial backer and allowed Bonfire to continue to grow. [4] A full team of designers and product developers were added, and Bonfire Europe was established. [4]
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. [4]
Now in its 26th season, Bonfire remains an active, eclectic and independent brand straight from the slopes, rails, parks and people that make Mount Hood a place that snowboarding calls home. [2]
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).
Timeline [4]
1989 – Pro-snowboarder and photographer Brad Steward creates three unique T-shirts in Huntington Beach, California. This is the beginning. He calls it Bonfire Think Tank Designs.
1992 – Bonfire debuts outerwear at Mount 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 introduced.
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 introduced.
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 SnowSports Industries America (SIA), 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-foot-long (46 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.
