Fernie retailer designs custom ski and boarding garb

He wanted a snowboard at the age of 14, but he couldn’t afford it so he built one

LeBrun designs and shapes skis, snowboards, surfboards and wakeboards in a shop at Fernie. — Breanne Massey photo

Jean-Vincent LeBrun’s father was an industrial designer and his grandfather was a blacksmith—being a good craftsman seemed to be genetic. He avidly pursued a career as an industrial designer after attending a college program in Quebec. He found employment immediately after graduation, but he left to pursue his hobbies: skiing and surfing.

He remembered seeing Air Canada flyers that advertised snowboarding in Fernie, so he moved across the country for the opportunity to ride at Fernie Alpine Resort. During that time LeBrun and his girlfriend spent time skiing in Argentina, working in the Yukon, traveling in Alaska and surfing in Central America. Unfortunately, LeBrun sustained serious injuries from a backcountry skiing accident.

After being lifted out of the accident site by helicopter, LeBrun returned to Quebec with a broken back, neck, ankle, wrist and knee. But, after being hospitalized for four months, LeBrun returned to Fernie. He is now the CEO of DID Custom.

“Everybody asks why I came here,” said LeBrun. “It’s the community, it sort of grows on you. I’ve received tremendous support . . . people are pretty stoked to have a ski shop building custom designs here.”

LeBrun received support from both the community and his family.

“(My family) has been extremely supportive,” said LeBrun. “They haven’t visited yet, but they’re going to next summer.”

LeBrun designs, shapes and sells anything you can glide on, as long as it’s made out of fibreglass. He has been making  agreements to sell skiing garb at the Gear Hub and he hopes to sell surf-boards, wakeboards and landlocks at H20 Waterschool.