KAMASE: SAMMY CARLSON - a Backcountry Freeski film | 2024
Immerse yourself into the raw power and creativity of backcountry freeskiing with KAMASE, a short film starring Sammy Carlson as he explores the remote terrains of Japan, British Columbia, and Alaska.
Navigating complex pillow zones and knife-edge spines with seamless control, KAMASE transforms high-consequence terrain into a fluid visual symphony—spotlighting Sammy Carlson’s precision, power, and unmatched ability to turn raw mountains into moving art.
Film Highlights:
Athletes: Sammy Carlson, with appearances by Vinzenz Keller, Todd Ligare, Yu Sasaki, and Yoshiya “Bull” Urata
Locations: Japan, British Columbia backcountry, and Alaska
Director: Blake Vincent Kueny
Cinematography: Brody Jones (Principal), Danny Leblanc (Supporting), Kaddison Pelletier (FPV)
Editor: Cody Rosenthal
Runtime: Approximately 19 minutes
Presented by: Quiksilver
Sponsors: Monster Energy, Armada Skis, Oakley, Dakine, Black Ops Valdez
KAMASE is not just a display of technical prowess but also a testament to sustainable filmmaking, with all CO₂ emissions from production offset to support clean energy projects.
Yu Sasaki
Yu Sasaki, born in 1986 in Sapporo (Hokkaido), fell in love with skiing at a young age before moving to Whistler at 19. He has made a name for himself on the Freeride World Tour with his fluid style, massive jumps, and creative line choices, living in Revelstoke where he now resides. A regular on the FWT circuit, he ranked 4th in Japan and secured a wildcard in 2019 after winning a Freeride World Qualifier in Hakuba. In summer, Yu runs a food truck throughout the Canadian Rockies, combining mountain passion with entrepreneurship.
Alaska
Alaska, the last state to join the United States in 1959, has a history shaped by the gold rush and the exploration of its wild territories. Early on, its immense mountains and harsh climate drew adventurers and pioneers seeking new challenges. In the ski world, Alaska became a legendary playground for freeriders from across the globe. Skiers like Doug Coombs helped build the myth of daring descents on its remote slopes. Today, iconic spots like Haines, Valdez, and the Chugach Range are famous for heliskiing, offering spectacular lines and endless powder fields. Alaska also hosts extreme competitions like the Freeride World Tour in Haines. A true paradise for off-piste skiing, Alaska remains a symbol of pure adventure and freedom in the high mountains.
British Columbia
British Columbia, a province in western Canada, is known for its vast mountain ranges and a history deeply tied to forestry and mining, before becoming a top outdoor tourism destination. As early as the 20th century, local pioneers explored snowy peaks, paving the way for strong alpine and backcountry skiing development. The province has nurtured or attracted great skiers and freeriders like Mike Douglas and Sammy Carlson, drawn by its exceptional snow quality. Among its flagship destinations are Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America, Revelstoke famed for massive vertical drops and backcountry access, as well as Fernie and Kicking Horse with their technical slopes and deep powder. The Nelson and Rossland areas are also famous for their freeride culture and intimate resorts. Thus, British Columbia is today a true paradise for ski enthusiasts, whether seeking groomed runs or wild backcountry adventures.
Japan
Japan is a unique ski destination, famous for its volcanic mountains and especially for the exceptional quality of its snow, often called “japow” (Japan powder). Skiing there dates back to the early 20th century when European techniques were introduced in Hokkaido. It quickly became part of local culture, giving rise to renowned resorts like Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano. These areas offer vast off-piste opportunities in light, abundant powder, drawing freeriders from around the world each winter. The country is also known for its warm hospitality and the unique experience of relaxing in onsen (hot springs) after skiing. Today, Japan is truly a paradise for powder and backcountry enthusiasts, blending local traditions with unforgettable alpine adventures.
Armada
Armada’s origin story is inseparable from the rise of newschool skiing. Instead of adapting race tools for creatives, the brand started with what riders actually needed: symmetric and directional twin tips that press, pivot, and land switch; floaty shapes for deep days; and durable constructions for rails and hard landings. Over two decades, the catalog matured without losing that voice. The brand joined a larger sports family later on, leveraging European manufacturing while keeping athlete-led development and media at its core. The result is a blend of indie energy and big-factory consistency. Product ecosystem Armada’s freestyle roots remain visible in the ARV series (all-mountain/park) and the women’s ARW line, built for playful daily laps that can handle everything from corduroy to side hits and rail gardens. Signature pro models such as the Edollo and BDog reflect two distinct philosophies of park skiing—pop and power versus buttery, press-friendly feel—while the JJ and its descendants carry the powder-freestyle torch with surfy rockered shapes and smearable tips and tails. On the freeride/all-mountain front, directional platforms add stability and edge hold for technical terrain and variable snow. For human-powered missions, the lightweight touring family uses lively wood cores and weight-savvy laminates to keep skintrack efficiency high without turning skittish on the descent. Construction and feel Durability and “feel” are through-lines across the range. Thick, impact-oriented edges, sintered bases that take wax well, and rubber damping in key zones help skis stay quiet at speed and survive seasons of abuse. Rocker-camber-rocker profiles are tuned by length and use case: more camber and contact length for resort drive, deeper rocker lines and tapered tips for soft-snow release. Mount points are thoughtfully chosen—center or near-center for park, more traditional for directional freeride and touring—so buyers can land on a predictable stance without fighting the ski. Boots, bindings, and compatibility Armada’s skis pair naturally with modern alpine and hybrid bindings, including models that allow efficient uphill travel and elastic downhill performance on one setup. Many riders run one-ski/one-binding quivers for travel and resort powder weeks, while park skiers opt for lighter alpine bindings with predictable release and solid elasticity for repeated switch landings. Athletes, media, and culture Armada’s team has long included influential freestylers and film leaders whose styles span urban, park, and backcountry freestyle. Pro models like the Edollo, BDog, Whitewalker, and various JJ iterations come straight from that collaboration loop: riders push lines in the streets or high alpine; product teams translate those needs into shape, flex, and construction tweaks; films and seasonal edits close the loop with proof on snow. The brand’s YouTube and social channels showcase this process with product walk-throughs, team movies, and behind-the-scenes clips that keep skiers connected to the why behind each ski. How to choose Resort-first skiers who split time between groomers, trees, and park will feel at home on ARV/ARW models sized to nose-eye height for agility; add length for stability if your speed runs high. Powder-minded riders who value playful line choice should look to JJ-style shapes for float and drift. Directional chargers who want bite on wind-buff and firm afternoons should target the all-mountain/freeride family with a slightly rearward mount. For touring, match waist width to your snowpack: narrower, lighter for big vert and spring missions; mid-fat for mid-winter soft snow with enough backbone for refrozen exits. Yes—Armada maintains an active YouTube presence, signature pro models tied to its athletes, and ongoing collaborations with film crews. The brand’s evolution from core freeski upstart to full-line manufacturer never abandoned its central idea: skis should be built around the way skiers actually ride.
Black Ops Valdez
Alaska’s Best Heli-Skiing & Snowboarding! Small Groups! Private Boutique Lodge! World-class Terrain for all abilities! Snowcats! Snowmobiles! Yachts!
Dakine
Dakine is an American brand founded in 1979 in Hawaii, initially specializing in surf accessories before firmly establishing itself in the ski and snowboard world. Renowned for the quality and durability of its backpacks, gloves, gear bags, and technical apparel, Dakine equips skiers and riders seeking reliability in the mountains. Its products are designed to handle the harshest winter conditions, with practical features that make life easier both on the slopes and in the backcountry. Dakine also sponsors athletes and takes part in film projects that showcase the freeride lifestyle. Today, the brand stands for adventure, freedom, and a deep passion for snow.
Monster Energy
Monster Energy, founded in 2002 in the United States, is best known for its energy drinks with the iconic green claw logo. Early on, the brand heavily invested in extreme sports to build its bold, rebellious image. In skiing, Monster sponsors some of the world’s top freeriders and freestylers like Sammy Carlson, Henrik Harlaut, and Tom Wallisch, supporting both their competitions and film projects. Through these partnerships, Monster Energy has become a major force at the X Games and in top ski productions, helping push the sport’s boundaries. Beyond sponsorships, the brand also organizes and funds dedicated events that showcase skiers’ creativity and style. Today, Monster stands as a symbol of performance and freedom in the freestyle and freeride ski world.
Oakley
Founded in 1975 in California, Oakley first specialized in sports eyewear before becoming a global leader in technical gear. In skiing, the brand is famous for its high-performance goggles, offering cutting-edge optics and extreme durability. Oakley outfits and sponsors many top skiers like Henrik Harlaut, Eileen Gu, and Sammy Carlson, strengthening its reputation among freeriders and freestylers. It also invests in events and films that highlight creativity on snow. Thanks to its constant innovation, Oakley is now a symbol of style and technology on the slopes.
Quiksilver
Founded in 1969 in Australia, Quiksilver first made its name with innovative surf boardshorts before growing into a global action sports giant. The brand later expanded into snowboarding and skiing, sponsoring iconic riders and creating technical apparel for the mountains. Today, Quiksilver remains a benchmark for surf and snow lifestyle, embodying a youthful, free, and adventurous spirit.
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