All Images: Courtesy Katie Aley
In a triumphant return to Wild Mountain, Minnesota, this March, iconic skier Phil Casabon (AKA B-Dog), known for his undeniable style and influence, ended an 11-year hiatus. The last time Casabon and Inspired Media graced the hills of Wild was in 2015 for the Inspired Ski Movie Tour with the likes of Eric Iberg (who is the incredibly talented filmer for Inspired), Henrik Harlaut and Paul Bergeron. B-Dog’s comeback to the Midwest was not only to show some love to a special part of the country but, more importantly, to give underrated skiers a chance to be seen and cheered on by living legends.
On Saturday, March 2, under damn near tropical temps, 111 competitors desperately waited for a shot to show that they were worthy of the cash prizes offered by Casabon and Iberg. The pair was handing out $8,000 to the best and most stylish tricks in the two groups. The first group consisted of the more beginner skiers, each proving to be a ripper in their own right. Let’s be real: anyone raised on a rope tow is better than most for getting unlimited runs a day. The second group consisted of the more advanced skiers. The amount of style both on and off snow from this squad was heavy. If baggy pants equate to skill, these kids were foreseen pros.
In a contest that works to shake up the standard routine. Casabon and Iberg decided to break the cycle and have no event placements—meaning no podiums. Why? Let B-Dog tell you himself. “Everyone deserves a chance to shine. It doesn’t matter what level you’re on, it’s all about doing it for yourself,” he explained. “Even if you’re not as good as the best people out there, you might try as hard as everyone else. The work ethic is what deserves the money.”
At around 10 a.m., casually late as ski events typically are, the skiers were buzzing to get going. Kids were slashing the tubes, boxes, down flat down rails, an elbow-to-drop-down tube, and a flowing landscape of fun designed by park builder Cody Rodgers. Rodgers was flown in from Sun Valley, Idaho, to Wild to ensure the perfect stage for the day. “I wanted different skill-level features that would work well in the area provided,” said Rodgers. So he and the Wild Park Crew accomplished the goal, and they worked together to make the park everyone enjoyed.
Reggae, dancehall and hip-hop music were blaring from the legends Ras Jacob’s and DJ Irem’s speakers. Classic tunes to set the mood for the competition. They showcased music from the Be Inspired soundtrack and classics like “Words of Truth” by Sizzla from Iberg’s first major ski film, Royalty; the overall energy was unparalleled. Everyone truly seemed to be having one of the best days on the hill. Competitor Connor Johnson summed it up saying, “Everyone has done a great job setting up the event. The vibes are high, and the weather is perfect.”
Throughout the jam, the two groups had four heats to lay their tricks on the line. Each heat was 45 minutes, giving the riders ample time to truly showcase their skills. In case you needed a reminder, Casabon and Iberg handed out a total of $8,000 in cold hard cash, $2,000 per session. So. Much. Cash. Slowly but surely, all of the $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills were wound up in the wet mittens of smiling skiers. Casabon would relay to Iberg which competitor was deserving and which needed to try that trick one more time to earn that extra band.
So who were these kids throwing down and earning the bread? Group one was stacked with rippers of all ages, including the youngest contestant, Brett Synkleberg, who was just three years old. Despite his small stature, Brett made it clear in a big way that he was, ‘In it for the money!’ From competitors doing their first box slides to some pulling out their stock superfeds, this squad showed good spirits and that everyone was deserving of the funds regardless of age or experience.
Group two, the unsung heroes of the Midwest, were chomping at the bit and waiting to shine. Casabon let it be known that he wanted participants to approach features in a creative way, and competitors did not disappoint. Each skier had their own individual style, many of them pulling off moves that were truly jaw-dropping. Standout performances included a switch four disaster onto the long down flat down rail performed by Pinewskis rider Adam Peterson. We also had the privilege of seeing the most stylish Ellen (front swap front two) performed by Kian Barret using the same feature. It was a nonstop clip fest where every trick felt worthy of cash. Casabon likely needed six more clones just to keep up with the never-ending cycle of competitors on rope laps and trickery.
When I spoke with Casabon, he said there were a few competitors that seriously stood out. One of which being the infamous Paddy Flanagan (Pbone), every Midwest skier’s favorite. Locals know Pbone for having some of the cleanest riding and the guts to just send it. Another pair that stood out to Casabon were Faelan Coldwater (as Casabon would call him, kid with the dreads), and his filmer Michael Peterson (aka number1suspect). Their partnership throughout the day showed true grit—they reminded us all why we love skiing in the first place. Flanagan and Coldwater were obviously out to impress Casabon and to win big. I mean, who doesn’t want to get paid to lap the rope with your best friends?
Casabon and Iberg united a community of like-minded individuals, fostering an ideal atmosphere for the competition. Matthew Zabransky, a familiar face from his Midwest Skiers page, emphasized the event’s inclusivity. He observed how adults, once prominent in the ski industry, now share the slopes with their children, creating full-circle moments in the skiing community. Zabransky expresses high hopes that other high-caliber events will consider this inclusive approach. Among those echoing this sentiment is Armada Rep Craig Weiler, who acknowledged the event’s ability to build better connections. According to Weiler, “Chill events like this spawn friendships, crews, and future edits/movies from a younger generation, unifying the ski community and serving as a platform to inspire younger participants in various aspects of skiing.”
After three long hours in the sun, the piles of cash were distributed, and participants had the chance to engage with legends. Casabon and Iberg hosted a raffle featuring products from sponsors Monster Energy, Pinewskis, Little Wax Shoppe, Wells Lamont Gloves, Flaxta, Armada and K2. The prizes were plentiful, and the fun was nowhere near done. Kids lined up for signatures, and core memories were made. “I definitely enjoyed that moment more than Casabon did, haha,” said contestant Jack Schmidt after having Casabon sign his shiny bald head.
“That was the most fun I’ve had in a while. Everyone around me just throwing down made me want to push myself to stand out,” exclaimed Dorothy Grundin, one of the few ladies participating. From start to finish, BDog Off the Leash at Wild Mountain proved to be an absolute smash hit. The burning question now is, will Casabon make this midwest endeavor an annual pilgrimage? The answer, he says, is yes.
Like all of us, Casabon wants to see more independent events pop back up around the industry. The loose format jam is a refreshing departure from the rigid FIS competitions we’ve become used to. More time together on the hill. More runs through the park. More community building. More bringing the heart back to the resort through grassroots efforts, as we saw from Casabon Casabon and Iberg this week. The B-Dog Off The Leash events will continue in Quebec and the Midwest. They promise to provide underdogs with opportunities to be noticed, and you better believe we’ll be ready for their return.
