And how did you find out?
I am really grateful for the opportunity.
To ski in an X Games event is a childhood dream come true.
To be chosen for Real Ski is a huge honor and personal achievement.
The morning we linked up to surf he had a call with the organizers and judges of Real Ski.
He surprised me after a morning surf session and dropped the news to me that I got an invite.
Skiing is your life.
Where and how did it all begin?
Tell us a bit about your roots.
It was something that was really fun to do and brought people I really care about together.
Around 2013/14 I got into park skiing and from there it took over my life.
Everything I did and thought about was for skiing.
I was a typical east coast park rat growing up haha.
What and who inspired you to pursue a career in street skiing?
Gear and everything else is not cheap.
I was inspired by the free nature of the ski scene and ski movies especially.
I like the freedom and having an outlet to express myself.
Before Real Ski was an X Games discipline, what were your goals in skiing?
Is Real Ski just the cherry on the top?
I wanted so badly to film for ski movies or link up with established crews in the industry.
I also dreamed of having a pro model ski.
When I saw Real Ski become a thing, I really wanted an invite.
What effect has social media had on the career prospects of professional film skiers?
I’m all for people getting theirs and taking advantage of the current resources available.
With that being said I also think it has really hurt the film side of skiing.
You see less and less of people or crews putting out full movies and parts.
Which in my opinion holds the most weight.
Anyone can go to a perfect park and film some Insta clips on an iPhone.
Going to the streets or backcountry is where you really test your skills and prove yourself.
I think it would be cool to see people putting more focus on film projects or segments.
Instagram is a great example of instant gratification.
Most times you see crazy stuff once or twice on Instagram and then it’s forgotten.
I grew up re-watching ski movies over and over memorizing every detail.
In my opinion, being just an Instagram skier is weak.
It was a no-brainer to ask Owen to film my Real Ski.
We have been working towards this for the past few years.
Owen is extremely hard working, a great friend, and a talented filmer/editor.
I’ve worked with him the past few winters and we have really gotten a workflow down.
We know each other well and have a lot of fun together doing what we do.
But, if you could pick one segment, which would be your favourite?
Phil Casabon’s first Real Ski segment is my favorite, no doubt.
He is one of, if not my favorite skier.
His style is unparalleled and the spot selection is so on point.
It truly is a masterpiece.
On top of Phil’s skiing, Brady Perron is the best filmer and editor in the game.
They are an incredible example of a filmer/skier duo that really complement and work well together.
They are a lethal combination.
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/893976/Phil-Casabon--Real-Ski-2018---X-Games
To the everyday skier, street skiing is the least relatable discipline.
Why is street skiing so rewarding and what factors make it more difficult?
Also, concrete is not soft.
My goal was to ski smart and trust the process.
I really have a go at think everything through at a spot.
What could go wrong?
How I can react if things go wrong?
And, what I need to do to get the shot?
You spent a lot of time chasing snow around the US at the beginning of the season.
What were the biggest struggles of life on the road?
Being on the road in general wears you down, in a month we drove over 7000 miles.
Constantly driving, shoveling a lot of snow and hitting big spots takes its toll, mentally and physically.
Once we got in the midwest we were in more consistent snow which can really take some pressure off.
Not having to worry about enough snow and just focusing on skiing is nice.
Youve fulfilled your career ambition of a Real Ski invite.
