How Lucas Debari Designed His Pro Model

We recently caught up with Mt. Baker local Lucas Debari just as the K2 was about to release his new pro model, the Joy Driver. Since being featured in Deeper and Further, Debari has been dropping heavy film parts with Absinthe and pursuing gnarly expeditions around the world. He gave us some insight on how his riding has progressed to conquer big lines and how he designed his own board to accommodate that progression.

What did you want in your pro model and how do the design process unfold? 

Topsheet design for the Joy Driver. K2 photo. 

What I really wanted to bring into the K2 board line was an all-mountain, aggressive snowboard. The whole process began with testing boards at Crystal Mountain two years ago. Finding the right shape and camber profile was quick as I knew almost exactly what i was looking for: traditional camber from the tail up to the front binding for maximum energy transfer. slight reverse camber from the front binding to the nose. 

This bit of reverse camber is what allows you to keep your weight forward in pow. Once your weight is more on your front foot, it makes it much easier to spin or even just ollie off of pillow lines, rather than just auguring in with your back foot. 

Choosing the name and graphics took about another year after this, but I was already riding prototypes and wasn't much concerned about that. 

How did you join K2, and why?

In the K2 factory. K2 photo. 

When reached out to K2, I was looking for something more than just a contract. I wanted an opportunity to be heavily involved with the product I was using. 

Furthermore, K2 has had a strong representation in the Northwest, which is really important to me. I actually took a bit of a pay cut from Rome snowboards in order to ride for K2. Looking back, it was a no brainer. I feel like I have set myself up in a great spot moving into the future

Can you describe your first experience in Alaska, what you learned about riding that kind of terrain?

I will never forget my first trip to AK in 2010. I was filming with Absinthe for my first time and wanted to leave an lasting impression. I had been filming in Haines for about a month when Jeremy Jones called me and invited me on a camping mission in the Fairweathers about 100 miles west of town.

Despite all of my efforts to film a video part, i couldn't pass up this opportunity. I spent 10 days with Jeremy, Josh Dirksen, Ryland Bell, and Xavier de la Rue. in those ten days, I truly learned how to ride AK from the best. I went back to Haines, and finished up my video part with absinthe in a 3 day sunny window. This was the perfect finish to what could easily be the best snowboard trip of my life.

How have you adapted your riding since then?

After that first rip to AK, I kept pushing my experiences further and further into big mountains. I found myself on expeditions up Denali, to Antarctica, and in Greenland. I wanted to gain that skill set that I saw Jeremy and Xavier had so dialed. I was also looking for the next big thing in my snowboarding. I wasn't getting the same buzz from riding steep technical pow lines at baker. 

That exploration of the mountaineering world has now come full circle. I was able to put all of those skills I'd learned to use in my latest trip to AK. Just being more comfortable in the mountains and aware of the actual risks has led me to have a more successful and enjoyable experience up there.

What kind of lines have you found you like to ride in AK?

For me and the majority of shredders, the golden feature we are all looking for in AK is spines. These can come in all different shapes, sizes, steepnesses, and complexities.

While some people really enjoy the long, drawn-out, 3000-foot, broad spine descent, I like the much steeper and more complex spines that might only run about 200 feet. This is more similar to the style of terrain I grew up riding at Baker: steep, complex, and short. This way I can make a handful of turns, catch some air, straightline the bottom half of the run, and come ripping out the bottom.

While some people really enjoy the long, drawn-out, 3000-foot, broad spine descent, I like the much steeper and more complex spines that might only run about 200 feet. This is more similar to the style of terrain I grew up riding at Baker: steep, complex, and short. This way I can make a handful of turns, catch some air, straightline the bottom half of the run, and come ripping out the bottom. 

That being said, a spine line is a spine line. There's not too many out there I wouldn't have a go on. When it comes to the approach, it just depends on the crew. I personally ride the best when I'm hiking my lines. However, this does not work well in heli zones with limited weather windows and long travel times.

How do you approach riding for the camera?

I try not to differentiate between having camera on or off. I like to push myself regardless of who is watching. Many of the best things I've ever done on a snowboard have taken place while riding alone or with a buddy at Baker.

In AK, it's the same story. I just want to get the most out of each run. I think I enjoy scaring the shit out of myself.

Can you walk us through how you decide when a line is a go?

I really don't have any sort of criteria or protocol for deciding whether it's a go or not. If I'm not feeling it, I just won't do it. 

If I can convince myself to relax and get psyched on the line, i just drop in and wake up at the bottom. 

The most important thing for me is that when I decide to drop in, I let all doubt leave my consciousness. I have already given each threat the attention it deserved, and more analysis will be counterproductive.

The most important thing for me is that when I decide to drop in, I let all doubt leave my consciousness. I have already given each threat the attention it deserved, and more analysis will be counterproductive. 

When you decide to call it?

I have certainly bailed from some scenarios, but I don't have any regrets. At the time I made these decisions, I was truly relying on self-preservation. I didn't think that the risk-reward made sense anymore. What is really interesting is the way people have interpreted these decisions I've made. 

I hope that people will learn that it is completely okay to be scared, and it's fear that helps to keep us alive in these situations. I don't personally feel enlightened from these experiences. The more honest we can all be about our fears, the better off this planet will be.

Any last words?

Riding powder on a snowboard is pretty much the best thing in the world: catching air and carving down a 2000-foot skate park that is perfectly still and stoic with a fresh blanket of snow, and no fear of falling as the consequences are so minute. 

The energy to go faster or launch bigger all comes with the most subtle adjustment of your snowboard. That is why I made the snowboard that facilitates these feelings better than the competition.

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stash member MacKenzie Ryan