Athletes
Donny Pelletier
Donny Pelletier
Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?
90's era Fischer RC4's, fastest ski evah made.
red snappah hot dog, moxie soda & a whoopie pie
Resurrection at Sun Valley: Jimmi Ryan
After a long year at home, even the 4 hour drive to Sun Valley felt like an expedition.
In an effort to tell the most compelling story, I often trend towards complication, hoping that I will be able to pull a more interesting narrative from the complexities. But sometimes all you need is space. Space to express a sentiment you possessed upon arrival and are previously familiar. Sun Valley gave us that space. A blank canvas on which to paint our vision.
There’s this famous painting done by Stanley Spencer in 1945 titled The Resurrection: Reunion. In it Spencer depicts a celebration in a graveyard. The subjects embrace and revel in that which persists after death--Love. Despite the setting, it’s a joyous and heartwarming piece.
Cam McLeod
March 2021 in Sun Valley felt like a resurrection of sorts. After a long year at home, even the 4 hour drive to Sun Valley felt like an expedition. My heart fluttered as I passed the last vestiges of my hometown and set out west to help create another segment for Warren Miller Entertainment. My drive into Sun Valley was sunny and dry. Perfect driving conditions, albeit concerning skiing conditions...2021 had failed to deliver much snow to SV and the forecast called for at least two more weeks of the same, dry, sunny weather. Upon arrival, our director and head cinematographer Chris Patterson briefed us on the available conditions...thin, on-piste, and mostly groomed.
Filming a segment can be a bit overwhelming….how do I tell the story of this place, this sport, and everyone involved in less than ten minutes? I get stressed about it and I’m just an athlete. But I feel responsible all the same, because, upon arrival to any ski town, you can instantly start to see and feel all those aforementioned components interacting in a new and beautiful way. Almost immediately a sense of responsibility begins to develop--to the town, to the culture of skiing, and to you--the viewer. I want you to know this place and to have a sense of it as I do now.
What’s easier to describe, your favorite mug or your favorite person? Sun Valley, and the town of Ketchum are as complex and intricate as any person I have ever met. The constant and predictable conditions we encountered however, allowed the gauge to slide ever so slightly in the direction of the mug. We reveled in the creative freedom that particular stability provided. We played with our subject like Andy Warhol played with colors and a can of soup. We filmed everything we could find; no mogul, patch of light, or roll-over was too insignificant. We filmed everything from every angle--unyielding until everyone….filmer, skier, photographer….were satisfied with the shot. I personally became completely obsessed with one particular characteristic of Sun Valley skiing: the Spine Line.
Cam McLeod - Madison Rose and Jimmi Ryan
The snow making at Sun Valley is remarkable, looking only at what’s on-piste, you would never suspect they struggled with snow this year. In some places the base must have been 10 feet deep. The upshot of this wondrous little combo (little natural snow and world class snowmaking) was that the snow depth dropped away significantly, as it approached the edge of the trail. This created sharp double-fall-line-ridges, at the interface between the groomed and ungroomed terrain running lengthwise along both sides of almost every run. What a wonder, what a blessing. Not only were these features ubiquitous, but refreshed nightly by the Sun Valley’s fleet of groomers.
I became a skier possessed. I have spent most of my life in pursuit of the perfect turn, and now I was provided with a new medium upon which to mold it. I became insistent that we film every single spine. Over and over I pointed to the sides of trails and remarked at the beautiful double-backbone ridges of runs like College, Limelight, and Muffy’s. I speculated endlessly about the perfect spine--it’s gradient, the angle of its apex, and what time of day it might experience it’s best light.
Cam McLeod
I’m not sure that any other production team would have tolerated my obsession. But lucky for me--I was surrounded by fanatics. Working for Warren Miller Entertainment not only requires a lifetime commitment to ski cinema, but also extreme patience and skill. Here’s a fact that I’ve known since my first trip with WME 4 years ago: you won’t see the most talented people on the screen--the best among us hold the lenses and call the shots. They occupy the unlikely margin where artist and praticien overlap. Indulging in my obsession with spines while not losing sight of the bigger picture: that spines are just one small part of what makes Sun Valley a little heaven on earth, full of people who love skiing just as much as you do.
Cam McLeod - Jimmi Ryan, Madison Rose, and Kaylin Richardson
And so that is likely what you will see. A little love letter to a place, its residents, and the thing that brings us all together...and some really sick spines.
See you this winter,
Jimmi
Noah Elliott
Bridgerton & St.Louis, MO
2021 Winter Starts Now
Featured Athlete: Noah Elliott
My favorite chairlift has to be Schlasman's at Bridger Bowl in Montana. The terrain access via chairlift is exactly the kind of terrain I think of when I want to snowboard.
The highlights of filming with the WME crew has to be being able to share it with my daughter Skylar. Showing her my love for the sport & film has been so rewarding!
The gear I am currently loving has to start with my prosthetic, my Motoknee & Versa Foot 2 are key factors in helping me access the sports I love. I also love my Winterstick snowboards. My Panasonic camera is a must for capturing the moment & getting content to share with the world! I have no relationship with North Face but I love my North Face outerwear!
I have had the opportunity to work with so many empowering and rad organizations It's hard to choose one cause. I would have to say the "cause" I want to share is. A life past an injury or cancer diagnosis. Or Adaptive sports. It's hard to redefine who you are & what your life will be. A lot of deep conversations and self reflecting helped me get an idea. The community of support I received from others helps me understand and pursue it. Adaptive sports has changed my life.
I really want to showcase my true abilities in the back country and on big mountain riding in the future. I want to show people that I am more than a snowboard racer. The thing I love most about big mountain riding and park riding is the feeling that I'm skateboarding the mountain. But the best part is I can go bigger!
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Don't miss Noah in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!
Dan Egan
Home Mountain?
Thornton, NH
1989 White Magic
1990 Extreme Winter
1991 Born to ski
1992 Steeper and Deeper
1993 Black Diamond Rush
1994 Vertical Reality
2020 Future Retro
FEATURED ATHLETE: DAN EGAN
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Don't miss Dan in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020
AJ Oliver
Snowbird, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
Big Sky, MT
2019 Timeless (Mustang Lodge, BC)
Featured Athlete: AJ Oliver
Franz Klammer, let ‘er buck.
I always remember the segment from Vertical Reality shot in India. Neon one-piece suits, riding elephants, locals skiing on handmade skis…. It's got it all.
Buy a “mom and pap” ski resort and let everyone ski for free.
Simple. Chicken, sautéd veggies, with maybe pasta or couscous.
Challenger, at Big Sky. You are able to choose from multiple aspects and exposure. Something is always skiing well. Also, it’s great for turning laps. The 9min ride is perfect to catch your breath before you do it again.
I’ll go with the most recent. The Fall Line by Nathaniel Vinton.
Anyone of the little rascals… I’m always looking for a way out of trouble.
Skiing in the Monashees, exploring new terrain, and of course skiing with industry legend Glen Plake.
Camera, I’m getting back into photography. New Year's resolution!
Head, POC, Patagonia
Nick Russell
The Sierra Nevada backcountry
Truckee, CA
Patagonia, Jones Snowboards, Red Bull, Anon Optics, Smartwool, Karakoram Bindings, Arcade Belts
2020 Future Retro
FEATURED ATHLETE: Nick Russell
Name a person who inspires you to be a better rider?
Craig Kelly.
Avocados.
Favorite chairlift and why?
My two feet.
Rest, soak, stretch.
Christopher McCandless/ Alexander Supertramp.
This year of turbulence will certainly bring us closer to home.
Jones Hovercraft splitboard all day every day.
A more attainable and inclusive community for everyone to get in the mix.
What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?
Fighting climate change, protection of our Public Lands, Black Lives Matter.
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Don't miss Nick in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020
John Egan
Sugarbush, VT
Moretown, VT
Sugarbush, VT
Dynastar, Look, Lange, Obermeyer, Leki, Smith, Kulkea, VT North Ski Shop
1987 White Winter Heat
1989 White Magic
1990 Extreme Winter
1991 Born to Ski
1992 Steeper and Deeper
1993 Black Diamond Rush
1994 Vertical Reality
1996 Snowriders
2020 Future Retro
FEATURED ATHLETE: JOHN EGAN
Patrick Vallençant.
Ski my 7th continent (Africa) with my family, support YES (Youth Enrichment Services) even more, oh and buy Sugarbush.
A breakfast burrito on any first chair.
KT-22 (at Squaw). If it was the only chairlift on all of the mountain, I'd still go there, happily.
Spending time with my family, my wood stove, my wood shop and my dog.
More animal, less fictions character. A sloth, my wife says I'm the fastest sloth she knows.
Catching up with old buddies (Scot Schmidt and Tom Day) in places we've skied for decades.
I think more people will explore more of nature and strive to protect what we have.
Obermeyer lined flannel shirt/jacket. I wear it all the time. Otherwise my CRF 250 rips.
More meditation through movement. Feel the turn.
YES (Youth Enrichment Services), Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, High Fives Foundation.
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Don't miss John in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020
Victor Major
Telluride Ski Resort
Telluride, CO
Aspen Mountain
Head, LEKI, Strafe Outerwear, Oakley
2020 Future Retro
FEATURED ATHLETE: Victor Major
Sam Coffey.
I'd probably first quit my job, buy a house, and then I'd like to find a way to help increase access to skiing and the outdoors.
I like muesli, but can't go wrong with a breakfast burrito.
Gold Hill in Telluride because it makes for very fast laps and a ton of vertical. It's got great fall lines and not a bad Hollywood line either.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
Ideal down day is a slow morning with a lot of coffee, then some sort of activity to keep things moving, and time to read or work on projects.
Rango, I always wanted to be a lizard cowboy.
One highlight was paddling out into the Arctic Ocean to an empty right-handed point break after a morning of powder and heli-drops.
On the slopes I've been loving the Head Kore 99, I love skiing pow on fat skis, but I think narrower skis are underrated and are better for most days.
Outdoor Afro and American Whitewater.
Every ski influencer will move exclusively to Tik Tok.
We defeat global warming, all resorts are powered renewably, and all barriers to entering and enjoying the sport fall away. And all skis go back to 200cm+ straight skis.
Yearbook from MSP was one of my favs that I owned. Plus Wendy Fisher gave it to me.
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Don't miss Victor in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020
Maria Lovely
Big Sky Resort
McLeod, MT
Big Sky Resort
Nordica, Hestra Gloves, ABS Airbags, Look, Backcountry, Creminelli
2020 Future Retro
FEATURED ATHLETE: Maria Lovely
My brother, Jack - we're always encouraging each other to try harder and go bigger!
Start a heli ski operation and buy a ranch!
Biscuits and gravy.
Headwaters Double (at Big Sky). Many of my best days have been had off that old chair!
Michelle Parker's interview in The Adventure Stash. Also, if you're looking for a just for fun book I couldn't put Where the Crawdads Sing down.
A wood fire, good book, and snuggles from my border collies.
Standing on top of the Big Couloir watching the 4 legends (Scot Schmidt, Tom Day, John and Dan Egan) rip it up together. I couldn't stop smiling!
My Hestra Ergo Grip gloves! These close fitting, lightweight leather gloves have been the best for snowmobiling.
Tsering's Fund. Their mission is to provide help to the underprivileged in Nepal through private donations. They find deserving children, young women and families in Nepal and help change their lives through educational scholarships, medical care and basic living assistance.
More girls!
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Don't miss Maria in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020
Tanner Rainville
West Bolton, VT
Stowe, VT
Backcountry livin'
Marker, Dalbello, Volkl, Wells Lamont, BCA, Honey Stinger
2020 Future Retro (Alaska)
Featured Athlete: Tanner Rainville
WME videographer Tom Day and photographer Brad Holmes (both on location for the PNH shoot for Future Retro).
Heli ski more often.
Beer.
A Ski Doo (snowmobile), because there's never a lift line.
Market Wizards: Interviews with top traders By Jack D. Schwager.
On a boat, lake or river.
Getting to film with Tom Day and Brad Holmes, I mean come on those two are LEGENDS!! Skiing in AK was pretty decent too.
Volkl Revolt 121, best skis ever. Also Honey Stinger waffles, best snack ever.
Save Bristol Bay - No Pebble Mine!
Hopefully for the best, lets just enjoy it.
Backcountry is the name of the game, but mostly just have fun with your friends and be safe!
Ski Time, Hot Dog, Maltese Flamingo....VHS days.
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Don't miss Tanner in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020