Featured Image: Justin Mayers | Skier: Colby Stevenson

Going from a freestyle background into the backcountry isn’t easy. Yes, it’s been done before. Skiers like Tanner Hall, Candide Thovex, Sammy Carlson, Michelle Parker and others have made the switch, but this small group is not the majority of skiers. They are the talented and visual minority who captivate our attention with their insatiable drive and hunger to learn from the mountains. Colby Stevenson is one of those skiers, and his new film, “PROOF,” takes us from backcountry kickers to massive AK lines. It’s proof that he’s one of the most versatile riders of all time (pun intended).

Edited by Clayton Vila, the movie is well put together from start to finish. Running under 10 minutes in its entirety, the movie is refined and packed with minimal b-roll and only Grade A clips from a terrific season. If you didn’t know, Stevenson was in a traumatic car crash in 2016. He has overcome the odds and returned to the center stage of freeskiing, winning an Olympic Big Air silver medal, collecting X Games medals and completing several stellar film parts since. To say he is a living legend of our time would be a massive understatement.

Now, he’s put together his first solo backcountry project and done so in just six weeks of film time. Traveling from Utah to Wyoming and finally to the mecca of Alaska, the team spent every waking moment during the latter half of winter putting this one together. The dedication and passion shine through in the end product. We’re sure that “PROOF” is only the latest and not the last project we see from Stevenson.

From YouTube:

Proof is in the progress –

This is my 5th season filming backcountry, and first solo project. Every year getting more familiar with the mountains, and changing how it’s possible to approach them. From Utah, to Wyoming, to Alaska, I risked it all for this one.

With only six weeks of film time, we gave everything to this project. Conditions lined up and allowed us to maximize productivity. A bad crash on Feb 14th (as seen in the final segment) left me with a sprained neck, but luckily recovered after three weeks.

My childhood friends, Jack Francis and Justin Mayers, put in 110% effort to capture this cinematic experience. The support we received from Monster Energy, Oakley, K2 Skis, Ski-Doo, Freefly Systems, and Alpina Watches brought our production value to new heights, and we are forever grateful.

Producers: Tom Yaps and Colby Stevenson

Directed by: Jack Francis and Justin Mayers

Cinematographers: Justin Mayers and Jack Francis

Edited by: Clayton Vila Post

Production: Frank Post

Additional Cinematographers: Luke Bredar, Dustin Lindgren, Malachi Artice, Jack Price, Jeff Cricco, Tyler Staples, Austin Scaccianoce, Matt Baker, Bo Wagner

Cover Photo by Rocko Menzyk