This is Armada: Sammy Carlson
Sammy Carlson, who just permanently relocated to Revelstoke, BC, discusses his lifelong passion to ski and to always keep it fun. "It's an honor to get to ski for armada and try to add to the legacy of all the riders before me" -Sammy Carlson armadaskis.com
Sammy Carlson
Sammy Carlson (born January 11, 1989 in Portland, Oregon) is an acclaimed American freeskier known for his prowess in slopestyle competitions. He shocked the skiing world in July 2010 by landing the first-ever switch triple rodeo 1260 at Mount Hood. Carlson captured X Games gold in slopestyle in 2011 and added a silver at the World Championships in Park City the same year. After a knee injury, he shifted focus in 2013 from freestyle contests to backcountry film projects, earning multiple “Real Ski Backcountry” titles at the X Games. He’s starred in influential ski films, including The Sammy C Project, Over Time, and Grown. Based in Revelstoke, BC, and sponsored by Armada Skis, Oakley, Monster, and others, he continues to push the sport in big-mountain terrain. Today, Carlson is renowned not only for his competitive achievements but also for his creativity, mountain maturity, and contributions to ski filmmaking.
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.
Armada
Armada was born in 2002 from a vision shared by a small group of professional skiers and friends, including Tanner Hall, JP Auclair, Julien Regnier, and photographer Chris O’Connell. Frustrated by big traditional brands that didn’t understand the booming needs of freestyle and freeride skiing, they decided to build their own company, dedicated to this new generation of skiers. Their goal was simple: design skis by riders themselves to push limits in parks, powder, and big mountain terrain. Based in Costa Mesa, California, Armada quickly earned a reputation for its innovative, independent spirit. It developed iconic models like the ARV for freestyle and the JJ for backcountry. Thanks to the direct involvement of its founders in design and marketing, the brand cultivated an authentic, rebellious image closely tied to freeski culture. Even today, Armada remains true to the legacy left by its founders, keeping passion and creativity at the heart of its identity.
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