Featured Image: Josh Bishop | Skier: Keegan Kilbride | Words: Jordan Grant-Krenz
THE STOUT, white bus was traveling hastily through the arid landscape of the Basin and Range province. Known for its drastic elevation swings and a surreal sense of desolation, this geographical wonder stretches from Southern Oregon, all the way down to Mexico. But we were nowhere near either of those places. We were in Southwestern Nevada, approaching the California border after being picked up at a peculiar casino known as the Reno-Tahoe Airport, en route to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The bus, adorned with a fresh Level 1 decal, was carrying one journalist, three film producers and a global mishmash of up-and-coming skiers that had been selected as finalists for one of the greatest events in all of skiing; Level 1’s SuperUnknown.
Reminiscing on it now, this voyage seems akin to that of Hunter S. Thompson heading out to the Mint 400. But with fewer drugs and infinitely more athletic prowess, myself not included. We’d shortly be arriving at Mammoth Mountain to commence the twenty-first edition of Level 1’s iconic event… that is, if our chariot could hold together for the 170-mile journey. “We bought it from an ‘Airport Church’ in Texas, whatever that is,” Level 1 Marketing Manager Conner Frank said with a smile. We continued humming along at 60 miles per hour and, thankfully, ascended from the desert to our final destination.
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A moment of calm in the Sierra Nevadas preceding the week of controlled chaos.
Photo: Josh Bishop
Much like this former automobile-of-thealmighty, SuperUnknown has been through many iterations in its life, but the core structure remains the same: young skiers looking to get ahead in the industry submit a two-minute compilation of their best ski video clips. Finalists are then selected by a panel of judges and flown out to compete for the title of SuperUnknown Champion. There are no points and no matchups; just a week of pure freestyle riding, capped off by a peer vote that decides who’s worthy of the coveted title and accompanying prize money.
When you consider how many events have come and gone in the world of skiing and action sports, it’s almost shocking that SuperUnknown has sustained this long. Beloved contests and invitationals have faded into the pages of history but Level 1 has poured blood, sweat and tears into bringing SuperUnknown to life every year since 2004. Many individuals have contributed to its longevity, but there’s no mistaking the man behind it all: Level 1 founder Josh Berman.
“Back in the early 2000s… there weren’t many paths that an aspiring pro skier could take to get recognized,” he explains. “That’s what inspired SuperUnknown. I wanted to create an alternate path for all the skiers on the come-up that I knew had something special to offer. There were no video contests, talent searches or other open-format opportunities for [amateurs], so I made my own.” Berman had started Level 1 Productions five years before SuperUnknown was conceived, in an effort to document the emerging craft of freeskiing. Since then, he’s been one of the most influential people in the sport, bringing new names into the spotlight and carefully capturing the culture from behind the lens.
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Some of the world’s most passionate freeskiers, filmers and photographers gather on day one of SuperUnknown 21.
Photo: Eric Hoffman
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Level 1’s Conor Smith (left) and Josh Berman (right) preside over the initial group meeting.
Photo: Erik Hoffman
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Left: Finalist Keagan Supple executes a textbook Japan grab off the shark fin feature.
Photo: Brandon Enouf
Right: Sampo Vallotton, one of the most stylish riders in the game, boosts his way through end of the jump line.
Photo: Briana Cooper
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You could spend all day on the knuckles in Mammoth and never get bored.
Skier: Parker White | Photo: Erik Hoffman
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Huddled together at the culmination of the sunset session, these are just a few of the talented individuals you’ll find at SuperUnknown. Among the group is Level 1 Producer Conor Smith, legendary skier, coach and Level 1 veteran Liam Downey, and Oscar Weary, one of the best street skiers today.
Photo: Brandon Enouf
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The Mammoth Unbound park crew put together an oasis of rails, with this just being a small sampling of the options.
Skier: Shonny Charbonneau | Photo: David Kolbrener
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While the core structure of SuperUnknown has remained intact over the past two decades, the event has simultaneously been in a constant state of evolution. A rotating cast of resorts have played host to the annual gathering, which saw the addition of a women’s finalist category in 2018—an effort to support a new generation of female park skiers in a male-dominant segment of the sport.
Like pow days, rails are always better with friends.
Photo: Briana Cooper
In 2023, Level 1 also began inviting pros from around the world, bringing an invitational flavor to the week, a la Kimbo Sessions. Names like Parker White, Taylor Brooke Lundquist, Beau-James Wells, and past winners Jonah Williams, Skye Clarke, Keegan Kilbride and Mat Dufresne, are just a few of the many that were in attendance this year. The fact that these athletes use precious sponsor budgets and even their personal funds to make the trip happen is a testament to the value the freeski community places on SuperUnknown.
At its outset, the contest was a way for Berman and crew to keep a finger on the pulse and get a first look at who was really coming up in the sport. Today, social media negates the need for a one-off talent search competition. Production companies and industry brands can find new talent by scanning YouTube, Instagram or any of the other abundant content platforms. This highlights the fact that SuperUnknown has evolved into something more in freeski culture. With sponsorship dollars being scarce in some years, passion for the event has not and SuperUnknown carries on thanks to the tenacity of Berman and his crew.
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There’s a high likelihood that Joss Christensen is your favorite skier’s favorite skier. The Olympic gold medalist and mastermind behind SLVSH came out to support the up-and-coming riders.
Photo: Brandon Enouf
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A classic mute grab from one of several Canadians who made the trek to California, SuperUnknown 21 Finalist Evelyn Mullie.
Photo: Erik Hoffman
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Never the loudest in the room, Ethan Swadburg lets his pristine skiing speak for itself.
Photo: David Kolbrener
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SuperUnknown 21 champs Felix Klien (left) and Shiori Takahashi (right) pose with their hardware as they receive a resounding ovation from the crew.
Photo: Briana Cooper
Casual fans might take the annual event for granted but Level 1 Producer Conor Smith certainly does not. “Freeskiing needs institutions,” he says. “People and crews and media and production companies and contests, they all come and go. Freeskiing needs anchors. Things that defy trends and moments, that have staying power unto themselves. These institutions give each generation a foundation to build upon as they work to leave their own mark on the sport.” What we’re left with is a nexus in freeski culture; a gathering where younger riders and experienced pros, filmmakers, photographers and multi-talented creators come together and, intentionally or not, craft the zeitgeist of freeskiing that we all know and love.
There’s a strange paradox hidden in here that goes far beyond skiing. The idea that an existing structure can help facilitate change is odd but not uncommon. Freeskiing has gone in many directions over the years and SuperUnknown will surely continue to be one of the pillars that facilitates this evolution; a multi-generational meeting of passionate skiers and creators. The event itself will inevitably evolve, but that doesn’t concern Berman. “There’s no reason why it can’t continue indefinitely in some form or another,” he mused after the conclusion of SuperUnknown 21. “We just have to keep getting creative to ensure that it stays fresh and relevant as times continue to change – that’s the real challenge.”
This story originally appeared in FREESKIER Magazine Volume 27 Issue 2. Click here to subscribe to FREESKIER and have print copies (yes, real print magazines!) delivered right to your door.