We are, of course, talking about Sammy Carlson.
He’s done it all from crushing in the streets to winning X Games gold.
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1086283/HALL-OF-FAME-16x9-mp4
Youre this year’s inductee to the NS Hall of Fame.
What does that mean to you?
Its been the sickest journey.
I started at a young age and this next season will be my 20th season as a professional skier.
My love for skiing and being in the mountains will always exist and thats forever.
I love to see all the passion and the kids that follow the sport so closely.
Thats kind of why I stepped away from competition when I did.
I never thought I was really that competitive, I just loved skiing.
I knew that was where I could shine.
Freeskiing was a revolutionary thing.
It wasnt the same back when I was first getting into it.
I feel honored to be recognized and a part of it.
I want to push it hard for all those dudes that started it.
There are so many different styles of skiing and its been a pleasure to explore a lot of them.
When youre out there, your Imagination is the only limit.
Straight up f*ck FIS.
Ive always said that we dont need FIS, FIS needs us.
Before slopestyle and halfpipe came into the Olympics, it was more or less a dying sport.
Aerials, Moguls, and Racing.
I think freeskiing has just been on the up and I think they need us.
Id like to see them giving back more to the freeski culture.
Same thing with the national teams as well.
When I was younger the only programs that existed were ski racing programs or potentially a mogul one.
On the national level, I just hope that the riders involved, look out for themselves.
So, every year youre just stacking these crazy projects and youve proved yourself in everything.
Some people have even started comparing you to Candide!
What do you have to say about that?
Haha, Its definitely an honor to be compared to Candide.
The newest project is called Kamase, what does Kamase mean?
Kamsase is Japanese slang.
It means kill it.
Our season started off in Japan and we learned of the word pretty early on in the trip.
Just a bit more relaxed?
Yeah, I think so.
We just wanted to match the vibe of the place.
Youre in Chamonix tonight for a screening.
How many times have you been here before?
This is my second time in Chamonix.
Unfortunately, I havent really had a good ski session here.
The last time I was here was for theQuicksilver Young Guns.
That was like a week before COVID broke out.
I was actually in this store, we had a big poster signing at the end of the contest.
When I got home I had Covid.
From those high fives?
Luckily I was able to shake it pretty quick.
So yeah this is my second time in Cham, it isnt the same without Tof around.
RIP Tof, but Im for sure going to be back.
Im here in Europe doing a few premieres with Quiksilver the next week.
Have you started thinking about a project for this year yet?
Im actually going home to start shooting my next project next week.
Were all excited to make something for next season, we just need the conditions to line up.
Its X Games this weekend.
Im psyched on Matej, the Unicorn.
Hes my favorite young blood to watch.
I definitely respect the progression on the women’s side too.
But honestly, at the competitive level, its like a different sport from when I was into it.
Once the coaches got involved it changed things for me but it is what it is.
Im stoked on back country free-riding, its the future, resorts are getting too busy.
So, you wont be watching the X Games?
Ill try and tune in.
But the only thing I miss about park riding is how many laps you might get!
its a lot more challenging to get laps out in the backcountry and I love to ski.
Edit: Updated, sorry for the blackout -@Twig
