Montana

Featured Athlete: Noah Elliott 

Favorite chairlift and why?

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.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

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!

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

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! 

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience? 

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.

What is your vision for the future of snowboarding?

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!

Current favorite piece of gear?
Salomon QST 118 Skis! Perfect combination for speed and fun. They make every day on snow better than the last and truly bring out the pure joy of skiing powder!

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
I want to combine my love of backpacking with skiing and focus on traversing big mountain ranges throughout the world and skiing unknown lines and discovering new areas.

Best advice you were ever given?
Nature will reveal you, but she'll never judge you.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My parents, music, authors like Edward Abbey and Hunter S. Thompson, and Google Earth!

What is your greatest fear?
Losing my free will.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
When we spent the day touring off Beartooth Pass skiing perfect corn, avoided getting crushed by cornices, and laughed until the sun went down! Perfect day in the mountains.

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Have healthy & happy days!

Current favorite piece of gear? Why?
Icelantic Powder skis! You know why...

Best advice you were ever given?
The Golden Rule.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
John Stockton

What is your greatest fear?
The Utah Jazz never winning a NBA championship.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Riding snowmobiles into the zones!

Best Moment of filming with WME this year?
Riding snowmobiles into the zones!

 

Sun Valley, Idaho native and once again local, freeskier Collin Collins throws down in the backcounty and the park. As an athelte for K2 Skis, Smith Optics, Saga, and Full Tilt, Collins has traveled deep into the backwoods of the Intermountain west cutting fresh tracks and building kickers to showcase his unique style.

Competitions like Orage Masters 8, Red Bull Cold Rush, and the FWT Canadian Freeskiing Championships have solidified Collins as a top freestyle skier. Outside of competitions Collins is somewhat of a pioneer in the Montana and Idaho backcountry with a healthy hunger for making first ascents and scouting downhill lines that others would balk at.

In January of 2014, he sustained a nasty injury (ACL, Medial and Lateral Meniscus tears and severe cartilage damage) at Big Sky, Montana sent him to the operating table. After intense rehab he was back to it at Mt. Hood in July 2016. And, it looked like he never took a day off.

When not competing, Collins' makes the most of his backyard in Sun Valley either backcountry skiing or taking his mountain bike down gritty terrain.

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Win, win, win on the RMSHA hillclimb race course, and continue setting the bar backcountry riding.

Current favorite piece of gear? Why?
KLIM Lochsa One-Piece. The Lochsa is warm, dry, and comfortable, plus keeps the snow out while doing pow turns!

Best advice you were ever given?
To ride smart and smooth. Smooth is fast.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
From winning/succeeding and mentoring others.

What is your greatest fear?
Dying

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Tyler Ceccanti and Collin Collins dropping pillows while I am side hilling below and pulling off some wicked bow ties!

 

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier/rider?
My little bro Nic, he is stepping his game up so he keeps me on my toes.

In lieu of our 70th film, what’s your most memorable or favorite Warren Miller film or segment – past or present?
I can't remember the movie but the segment they did the wingsuits in France I think was insane. It was when they were first coming out and the guy set a world record for the longest flight. I was a kid and my mind was blown!

What would you do if you won the lottery?
A seaplane for sure. I want to be able to park it right at my dock, pack up and fly anywhere I want.

Best meal you can cook?
TACOS!!!

Favorite chairlift and why?
High Campbell aka Chair 6 at Crystal, goes right next to an iconic cliff called Hollywood. Only in rare cases does it have enough snow to send it. I have been lucky enough to send it right next to the chair. Always fun to ride that chair and think about it every year.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)
Amie's Long Underwear podcast has been really funny and interesting to hear different skiers stories and perspectives. I don't have a favorite.

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?
Shoot... no idea.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?
The lodge we stayed at was extremely off the grid but massive. The whole story behind it was amazing as well. The family build it all and actually helped build the highway that connected the interior to Bella Coola. That alone was an awesome experience.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?
My Garmin Tracker. I've been using it to track output on bike rides and its awesome for training and just seeing how your body works.

Do you have any sponsors, if yes, who?
K2 Skis, Full Tilt Boots, Smith Optics, Crystal Mountain, Discrete