Skiers who stick to a single discipline are becoming a long-lost breed. The creative freedom that runs rampant in our sport is astonishing as we see more and more park riders dazzling in the backcountry and backcountry riders becoming freeride legends. But even as the multitalented renaissance skier becomes less of a rarity, finding a distinct style is still an incredible accomplishment. Just because there are more avenues for creativity does not mean it’s any easier to define your own flair. That is what makes a skier like Quinn Wolferman so damn impressive.
Quan, as he’s known, has been a household name in freeskiing for a while. The Montana native has won gold at the X Games, been a Level 1 SuperUnknown Finalist and he’s had a hand in many acclaimed projects, one fitting example being the epic Montana segment in “Chameleon” from Deviate Films. His talent is no secret. But it’s not competition titles or massive state-of-the-art projects that make him a legend. Wolferman is your favorite skier’s favorite skier because he has defined what it means to ski like, well, himself.
Watching him surf a pillow line or tear through the Mammoth Unbound park is reminiscent of so many great skiers, yet you know you’re watching Quan. “Shadows Fade” is a crystal clear example of this distinctive style. It bounces around, and it’s hard to pin down, but that’s Wolferman’s skiing in a bundle. The fact that we go from a massive air over a rock wall to a wildly creative backcountry segment and finally to a collection of music-free park follow-cam clips in under three minutes is truly special. He’s everywhere, bringing unique mastery to each discipline as he goes. Per usual, words only go so far. Enjoy this monumental 2022/23 recap.
From YouTube –
Shadows Fade – An unassuming solo project.
Edited by: Clayton Vila & Loren Creer
Principal Cinematography: Justin Mayers
Additional Cinematography: Caleb Ely, Hotlaps Official (Andrew Gayda), Reid Ferguson, AJ Dakoulas
