Aspen Extreme: Will Wesson brings home Gold!

Monday, February 9th 2009

Considered to be the Academy Awards of the ski film industry, the 9th Annual Powder Magazine Video Awards kicked off in Aspen, CO on January 23 with PBR flowing heavily. Over 30 movie submissions. 12 categories. Only 1 winner for each. That’s where we came into play...

After 6 years and 7 feature films, we finally pulled down an award that ranks us up there with the best athletes and ski film companies in the world. Will Wesson was nominated two times for his footage in “Head For The Hills” for the “Best Jib” category. Running up against other big nominees, Tanner Hall and Sammy Carlson, it was Will’s ridiculously creative and totally original urban slopestyle run that brought home the bacon.

Here’s what Powder Magazine had to say: “Will Wesson was Mr. Creativity in 2009. In fact, Wesson broke the Powder Video Award record for most nominations in one category in one year. From underslides, to innovative playground lines, the East Coast kid takes home Best Jib with his skillful and completely comedic playground line.”

Unfortunately during the awards, Will was in Finland filming for Level 1 Productions (who also received a nomination for “Best Jib” thanks to Will’s segment in their movie “Turbo”), so Meathead Pres Geoff McDonald, partner in crime - Chris James, new Meathead employee Mike Rogge, and Will’s right hand man Andy Parry, all honorably accepted the award on Will’s behalf.

To see the complete acceptance video (trust me, you will - it’s sexy), go to powderawards.com, click on the “Video” tab, scroll down and select the “Best Jib” video icon. And of course check out the rest of the vids and other parts of the site.

Besides the awards show, we tacked on a few extra days in Aspen to reward ourselves for the big accomplishment. Mike Flood (Dexter Rutecki), Geoff (Bryce Kellogg), Chris (T.J. Burke), and Fatty (Karl Stall) attacked the Rockies with fury. It snowed over 30 inches during our stay, and as much as we wanted to ski for glory, we couldn’t resist busting out the cameras to share our experience with the world. Indulge in the photo gallery and new Aspen Extreme video below.

Special Thanks to the Powder Awards for not forgetting the East Coast. Mike Flood for transportation and accompaniment on and off the hill. Aspen Highlands ski patroller and x-roommate Fatty Areson for safety consultation, chef skills, and being downright fat. Troy and Chris Miller for lodging, "Ski School" viewing, and exceptional hospitality. And Aspen Snowmass Resorts for an all-access pass to the goods.

www.aspensnowmass.com

WATCH THE ASPEN EXTREME VIDEO!