SHOPTALK: Switch Skate & Snow

Twenty years is a rare milestone in skate and snow culture—yet Switch Skate & Snow in Ajax has not only endured but thrived, growing from a small, rider-run shop into a cornerstone of Durham Region’s board sports scene. What began in 2005 as a modest, inventory-light storefront fueled by dedication and die-hard skate hearts has transformed into a true home base for skaters and snowboarders across the GTA. To celebrate this anniversary, we sat down with their founder, Mike, to reflect on the shop’s beginnings, the culture it helped nurture, and the underground spirit that continues to drive Switch forward.

Switch Skate & Snow just celebrated 20 years! What a milestone. Can you share the

story of how it all started, and what the shop was like in those early days?

We opened the doors of Switch Skate & Snow in Ajax two decades ago with a simple mission:

We wanted to create a space where skateboarders, snowboarders and riders of all kinds could come together, gear up and ride hard in the GTA.

Back then the shop had much less inventory, fewer brands, but the same die hard skateboard

hearts, just working in the back setting up shop everyday and catering to the local skate

community since 2005. Switch became the local hang-out where you’d pop in to grab a deck in Durham Region, shoot the breeze about tricks and check in with what everyone was rolling or riding that week. Meet ups at local skate parks, building a better community, checking in on each other, getting together at Switch at the end of the day were days like no other.

We have a family of our own now, we call it the Switch family, everyone's welcome, we got the

best deals every season and the riders love the shop still! The skate culture is forever

unbeatable which is why I stand so hard on it even today. Over time we grew our selection, layered in snow gear, expanded our apparel and shoes, and kept our focus on the community. The “20 Years of Switch!!!” banner on our website marks

that journey and the countless sessions, tune-ups and high-fives that got us here!

If you had to sum up Ajax’s skate and snow scene in a single word, what would it

be—and why?

I’d say “underground.” Ajax doesn’t always get the big lights of the city, but that’s part of the

charm. The skate and snow scene here is driven by the riders who show up early, dig the curbs, discover the spots, and build their skills quietly and consistently. It’s not flashy, but it’s real down here. There is no shortage down here in Durham Region but a lot of us from time to time, hit the city and outskirts too to check in on the riders from all over the place, we've built a pretty solid and strong presence, in both skateboarding and snowboarding.

That “underground” ethos keeps the culture raw, loyal and deeply local.

When you look at other communities across Ontario and beyond, what do you feel

makes Durham’s skate culture unique? How has it grown or shifted since you first

opened the doors?

Durham Region skaters bring a blend of street-smarts and grassroots spirit. We’re close enough to Toronto to draw from its major influences, but far enough that we’re building our own identity, where spots are discovered, sessions happen off the radar, and the community pulls together. Since we opened, we’ve seen the transition from mostly analog (just decks and trucks) to full modern set-ups, the rise of social media street spots, and a broader inclusion of snowboarding in the off-skate season.

At the same time, the core re

mains: local kids, parents and regulars who treat the shop like a

home base. That shift, from a pure skate shop to a full skate & snow lifestyle hub, mirrors the

culture here expanding.

Why do you think skate shops are so integral to the culture of skateboarding,

especially in Canada?

Skate shops are the heartbeats of skate culture, they preserve it. They’re more than retail,

they’re gathering places, parts-swap zones, trick-discussing sites, community hubs. In Canada,

where weather and seasons can be extreme and skate culture sometimes goes under the radar, a committed local shop means seeing new decks, hearing about a session, getting tuned gear, connecting with other riders. At Switch we’ve always aimed for that: not just selling boards, but supporting riders, spreading progression and keeping the culture alive.

Without shops like this, skateboarding loses its local roots. We stand super heavy in preserving the skate and snowboard community.

What have been the best parts of owning a skate shop? What has been the most

challenging?

Best parts:

Watching new riders walk in and walk out with their first complete skateboard, hyped.

Seeing longtime customers progress, land new tricks, or move into snowboarding and

still come through.

Being part of a network — local, regional, national — where we can share stroke,

support brands, support riders.

Most challenging:

Inventory and seasonality: balancing skate gear versus snow gear, managing stock,

predicting what’s going to fly off the shelf.

Staying relevant: The culture evolves fast. Brands, styles, technology all change, so

we have to keep our finger on the pulse and make sure we offer what riders want,

when they want it.

Location & community constraints: As great as Durham is, we’re still somewhat

outside the major metro spotlight, which means fighting for attention, resources and

events. But those challenges also keep us gritty and authentic.

Are there any big future goals for Switch? What kind of legacy do you want to leave

behind with your shop?

Absolutely. We want Switch Skate & Snow to be more than “just a shop.” We aim to host more

community-events, local brands, rider-meetups, maybe a dedicated in-house demo day or

skate/snow crossover event. We want to expand our local team, grow young riders into mentors, and help turn the Ajax/Durham area into a recognized destination for board culture.

We love supporting Toronto’s skate community and are frequently involved as well!

The legacy? To have built a space where riders feel supported from their first push or carve to

whatever comes next. To have 40 years of stories, of generations rolling through our doors, and to have been a pillar for true, grassroots board culture in Canada.

As Switch Skate & Snow moves beyond its twentieth year, its mission remains as strong as the day the doors first opened: uplift riders, fuel progression and keep skate and snow culture deeply rooted in community. From first boards to first snow seasons, from street sessions to family-style hangouts, Switch has shaped more than just a scene—it has shaped generations. With plans to expand events, grow local talent and continue building a vibrant home for riders of all kinds, the legacy of Switch is still being written. And if the last two decades are any indication, the next twenty will be just as underground, authentic and unforgettable.

Want to support Switch? Shop here or following their journey on instagram.