Montreal is often cited as a city with a unique soul, blending deep history with a distinct European flair. It is this specific cultural environment that served as the birthplace for Jackalope, now recognized as the third-largest multi-action sports event globally. According to reports from SnowBrains, the event has grown significantly since its humble beginnings, recently expanding with block parties in locations like Ventura, California, and upcoming stops in Newcastle, Australia.
The roots of Jackalope are tied to the vision of Micah Desforges, the CEO of the parent company, Tribu Expérientiel. Desforges, who grew up in rural Quebec, was inspired by iconic moments in action sports history, such as Tony Hawk’s famous 900-degree rotation at the X Games. This inspiration led him to start Ripper Skateboards while attending school in Sherbrooke. By 2009, Desforges and his roommates began hosting small-scale snowboard events in their backyard, which quickly grew in popularity among local residents.
These early gatherings, such as the 'Amnesia Shack Attack,' evolved into larger urban spectacles. By 2015, the events moved to the Quartier Latin neighborhood to highlight the city's connection to urban snowboarding. These efforts eventually morphed into the current event brand, APIK, which has successfully drawn crowds exceeding 25,000 people. The primary Jackalope festival, meanwhile, launched in 2012. It has since become a staple at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, an area known globally by the skateboarding community as 'The Big O.'
The success of the brand relies on a mix of high-level athletic competition and community building. Events have attracted legends of the sport, including Tony Hawk, who first appeared at Jackalope in 2017 to a crowd of over 10,000. For those working behind the scenes, the event serves as a hub for international athletes and artists to connect through their shared passion for adrenaline and competition. As the brand continues to scale internationally, it remains rooted in the 'spirit of the mountain' that Desforges first brought to the streets of Montreal.
