Jake Burton gives the dedication speech.

Burton pros Terje Haakonsen and Mike Ranquet were
on-hand

Old school.

Classic Burton boards

One of the board presses.Craig Kelly needs no introduction. As one of the forefathers of modern snowboarding, Kelly inspired a generation with his competitive spirit, flawless style and deep respect for the mountains. His death by avalanche in 2003 was tragic loss and one that can only be reconciled by knowing he died doing what he loved.

Craig's legacy exists in many forms. The battle between Burton and Sims, and the classic Mystery Air to his very technique visible in the riding style of his peers and proteges.

Yet one of Craig's most long-lasting contributions to snowboarding was his mind. Highly intelligent, with a degree in chemical engineering, Kelly become one of Burton's most prolific product testers and intelligence gatherers. While others went to the bar, he was known to craft detailed notes about how a particular board rode that day, often leading directly to design enhancements that drove snowboarding's evolution.

It's in this spirit that Burton just dedicated it's all-new research, design and prototype facility in Burlington - officially named the "Craig Kelly Proto Facility."

Located adjacent to Burton's HQ at 152 Industrial Parkway, Burlington, VT, the shop provides a space to design, build and test products on-site. With a team of over a dozen dedicated design/builders on-staff, the facility will allow feedback from team riders, shop testers and everyday Burton employees to be immediately implemented and put to trial.

"Craig Kelly was an engineer at heart, and one of the big reasons he chose to ride for Burton back in the late eighties was because he saw how committed we were to R&D and taking snowboard technology to the next level," said Jake Burton, Founder and CEO of Burton Snowboards. "During the 15 years that he rode for Burton, Craig had a huge impact on snowboard design, technology and the sport as a whole. So it was an easy decision to name the new prototyping facility after him. I think that Craig would be proud that every new board that comes out of our new R&D space reflects his spirit and legacy."

Beyond the machines of industry, "The Barn" as it's affectionately known, also has a museum of sorts dedicated to Burton's 30+ years of innovation and development in snowboarding. An entertaining and nostalgic time capsule that provides fond memories and true perspective on just how far we've come. Burton will also be offering tours of the facility if you happen to find yourself in the hood, which is much recommended to not only get a better sense of how your boards are made, but to remember just who helped get you there.

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