An unlikely crew out of Rhode Island has recently emerged into the snowboarding consciousness through a unique style of riding that relies upon repurposed junkyard scraps and a willingness to try something new. The forward-thinking Yawgoons have carved out a niche much larger than their diminutive home resort.

Words: Ben Shanks Kindlon.

In the modest town of Exeter, RI, is the state’s only ski resort, Yawgoo Valley. With an elevation of only 310 feet at its peak, Yawgoo is not exactly a major destination. But with a handful of reclaimed materials, a rope tow and the collective creative energy of several inventive snowboarders, a local crew called the Yawgoons is bringing a new perspective to what can be accomplished in a tiny terrain park by assembling unique, hand-built features…

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