Montana's ski culture is legendary, and this time it's coming to life in a three-part film series, starring BSF alums & coaches and created by a BSF Freestyle alum. The Legends of Yellowstone chronicles some of the original freeskiers of Southwest Montana in the ‘80s and ‘90s, as they bent the rules and inspired a new age of skiing. It features Scot Schmidt, Tony Gilpin (BSF’s Head Moguls Coach), and Mickey Price. But you’ll find a bunch of other familiar BSF faces, both in front of and behind the camera.
The series was created and directed by BSF Freestyle alum Wade Holland. (And it so happens that his mother was also BSF’s administrative assistant in the 90s, as well.) Wade is an on-camera host, adventure personality and digital creator.
The second part of the series focuses on BSF’s Tony Gilpin, considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of Freestyle in Montana. You’ll also see BSF Program Director Mike Papke, as well as Olympian and BSF alum Heather McPhie chime in during interviews.
Our ski roots are deep, and BSF is incredibly proud to share a part in this ski history, and to have Mike and Tony coaching our current Freestyle skiers.
You can see all three parts of the series during its premier on December 11, 7pm, at the Rialto Theater in Bozeman. The premier will include an interactive Q&A, product giveaways, and possible guest appearances by the ski gods themselves.
Admission is $5. Get your tickets HERE.
Sneak peak of the trailer: https://vimeo.com/372459235
Wade was born in raised in Bozeman. "My sister was the first female to ski on BSF's freestyle ski team," he says. "I followed her and quickly fell in love with the free spirited and creative nature of freestyle skiing. I was coached by Mike Papke and Tony Gilpin, and that group of original freestylers at Bridger Bowl inspired my skiing at an early age." Wade competed in Mogul skiing throughout high school, placing at the top level in the Northern Division and competing throughout the Rocky Mountain West.
At the University of Colorado, he studied adventure media, creating videos about the outdoor lifestyle and "all the incredible things that come from it." Today, he's based in Los Angeles and creates adventure films around the world. But the Legends of Yellowstone, he says "is one of the most special projects I've ever done due to its closeness to my heart."
Wade says, "I didn't realize it at the time, but the people I was learning from on the hill, (such as Tony Gilpin and Mickey Price) were some of the pioneers and early influencers to the freeride and freeskiing movement. I wanted to make this film series to highlight how special this part of the world is and how impactful (though severely underlooked) Southwest Montana was in the evolution of freeskiing. Some of these people may never have gotten the proper recognition for their impact on the sport, but they inspired countless people near and far, including myself."
As he prepares for the premier of The Legends of Yellowstone, Wade says, "I hope this film series makes Montanans proud, gives deserved credit to the real OGs and inspires people to seek out the genuine magic that still lives within skiing."
