New England Doubleheader - Homesick and Last Call
Story // Jake Sullivan. March 26, 2025
Photo // Justin Diak
The great debate—Vermont or New Hampshire? The Green Mountains or the White Mountains? The Green Door or the Bunyan Room? Most snowboarders in New England have chosen a side in this long-standing rivalry, which has been argued about for decades in shops, on chairlifts, and at bar stools. Each state has always had a unique scene, supported by local shops like Darkside and Eastern Boarder. Crews like the Vermont Snowboard Posse (VTSP) and NH Dirt have represented their home states at the highest levels of our industry, while household names like Lucas Magoon and Pat Moore have always let everyone know where they come from.
Recently, though, another question has emerged: Homesick or Last Call? The former is intended to be a reunion, while the latter serves as a proving ground. Homesick celebrates the rich history of snowboarding in New England, whereas Last Call offers a glimpse into the future of the sport. These two events take place in entirely different settings at two very different resorts: Stratton, VT, and Loon, NH.
After a few years of running the two contests back-to-back, we can confidently say there is no debate: we need both. It's just as important to reconnect with old friends as it is to pay attention to the younger crowd coming up. The laid-back, feel-good atmosphere that Homesick has created serves as a great precursor to the high-stakes, all-or-nothing chaos that Last Call has come to encapsulate in its 23-year history.
During this year's events, some moments blurred the line between the two. Todd Richards' mctwist in the Stratton pipe was mirrored by Connor Cavanagh on the quarterpipe at Last Call, both regular footers doing the trick with timeless skate style. Seeing Connor Kelly win the rail event at Homesick the last two years and this year's Last Call was reminiscent of Lucas Magoon's contest dominance in the mid-2000s. That feeling was amplified after watching the two nearly collide while poaching the tombstone on the Homesick halfpipe.
These two events have filled a years-long void on the East Coast that's been felt since the US Open left Vermont for snowier pastures in 2013. While Last Call has continued to operate and flourish since the Open's departure, the circuit has been completed with the addition of Homesick to March's schedule. Things appear to be picking up again here in New England.
Regarding the initial question of Vermont or New Hampshire, there's no need to worry about picking one over the other. Both scenes are thriving because of events like these. Timmy Sullivan from Vermont won the "Most New Hampshire" award, suggesting that the divide between the two states is diminishing. Clear your calendars for next March and make your way to New England. The weather will be great. Or it won't.
HOMESICK RETRO HALFPIPE GALLERY
PHOTO // JUSTIN DIAK
LAST CALL GALLERY
PHOTO // JUSTIN DIAK
