What we have here is pretty typical for a ski movie:

Flips, jibs, and plenty of huge air.

That’s all fine and dandy but there’s one major element missing here—snow. This entire mind blowing and visually stunning segment was filmed (during the summer) in the rainforests of Mt. Baker Washington.

I happen to know one of the skiers very well, Zack Giffin. He grew up in Gold Hill, just outside of Boulder, and he and his two crazy brothers have always been incredibly talented daredevils.  My mom would always get nervous when I hung out with these guys cause I usually came home bloody, but boy did we have a good time.

I’m really proud of Zack, he sacrificed a lot to get where he is today and never once came close to giving up. His road hasn’t been easy, he’s worked odd jobs, slept on countless couches and lived off very little in pursuit of his ski bum dreams. Besides being one of the best skiers in the world, he’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, a true friend.

He’s currently traveling the U.S. in a tiny house, skiing his brains out with his lovely and super talented girlfriend Molly. Check out that video series here.

The forest segment in the psychedelic new ski film, Valhala:

Zack at his finest, building a picnic table bicycle:

Building swing bikes:

Being pulled behind a snowmobile:

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Editor: Rachel Nussbaum

Photo: Author’s own