Usually, an invitation to go drinking with someone you’ve seen trying to piss in their own mouth is one to politely pass up. When it’s JF Pelchat, however, then it’s best to don your waterproofs and go along for the ride.
JF moved from Quebec to British Columbia in the 90s, and it wasn’t long before both his on- and off-hill exploits had achieved legendary status. Even amongst the stacked deck of the hard-charging, hard-partying Wildcats, he stood out.
“In the helis-filming-helis era, another dose of debauchery from BC’s finest could be just what the snowboarding world needs”
Movies including Nine Lives, Lil’ Bastards and Return Of The Wildcats made the crew famous well beyond the streets of Whistler, thanks in part to the hell-raising bonus footage that often exceeded the running length of the movie itself. Their last release was 2007’s Still Bastards, after which we mostly heard from JF in the context of his company, NOW Bindings.
Clearly, though, the Wildcat within remained dormant. Recently he and fellow lifer Devun Walsh got together to direct a new movie, the aptly-titled Wildcats Never Die. In the helis-filming-helis era, another dose of debauchery from BC’s finest could be just what the snowboarding world needs.
Ahead of the London premiere, we sat down with JF to talk about making his movie, running his brand, and juggling the two.