Meathead East Coast Skiing Adventure Movies & Films

East Coast skiers can hold their heads high today.  Last night at the annual Powder Magazine Video Awards in Park City Utah, Meathead Films won the "Best Powder" category for their segment filmed at Jay Peak, Vermont last season.  Voted on by 45 industry judges worldwide, the film company received the trophy with immense pride, and carried the win by the largest margin of votes of any of the categories at the awards.

Twas a deep day...

The Meatheads were up against stellar segments from both Teton Gravity Research and Matchstick Productions.  On the Powder Website the magazine said:

To those skiing in Alaska, B.C., or Jackson, big powder is practically presumed. But sometimes skiers, even on the East Coast, happen to unexpectedly be in the right place at the right time. In Meathead Films’ No Matter What, the right coasters capture an all-time dump in the middle of a tragically dry season, and set it to the epic tune of I Break Horses’ song, Winter Beats. It’s a five minute of reminder of just how good skiing can be to us.

Stacey just "driving the truck" through blower powder

In a region not neccessarily always known for having the greatest snow or the biggest mountains, the Meatheads were proud to bring home this presigious award.  Meathead Films co-owner Chris "Rooster" James as well as athletes Ben Leoni, Paige Fitzgerald, Erme Catino, Tony Rossi and Ski The East team member Ashley Maxfield were on hand to accept the award.  Watch the full video:

Steve Wright, marketing director at Jay Peak Resort:

"We’re proud not only to be the backdrop for this award, but for the Meats and Ski The East—they’ve repped the East Coast well through more hard work than most people see.  Even the most snow in the East nods to their ability to shoot it."

Ben Leoni, submerged

Geoff McDonald, who filmed the segment with Ben, Paige and Stacey Rachdorf on February 24-26 of last year had this to say:

"As a filmmaker, when you know it's going to be really good conditions the next day, you get especially antsy the night before, planning out the logistics in your head.  For that shoot at Jay, we were staying at our buddy, Tim Fater's house near the mountain.  We woke up the morning of the 26th and it was just bluebird, no wind, and tons more fresh snow on top of the 35" that had already fallen in the days prior.  The mountain had gotten about 50" in 5 days.   

We hoofed it out to some zones we wanted to shoot and we were testing the depth with our poles.  It was looking really nice and light and I was just keeping my fingers crossed we'd have enough time to shoot it before it got tracked.  We found the first zone and I cued Stacey to drop in.  It was only about 3 turns and not very steep but I remember just being blown away.  I barely saw him because the snow was over his head the whole time. 

I told Stacey something like 'holy shit dude, that was seriously messed up.'  He was just laughing and smiling.  And it was messed up, the East Coast just doesn't ever get that good!  Cold, sun, no wind and 3 ft. of blower powder, the ideal setup.

We spent the rest of the day shooting, hearing some hooting and hollering of skiers nearby, but keeping off the beaten path so we could take our time.  Ben and Stacey crushed every shot and Paige got awesome footage considering that she didn't have fat skis and it was her 2nd day ever filming. 

East Coast weather has dealt us many kicks to the groin over the years and last season was especially harsh.  However, that day at Jay Peak blew us all away and we knew we'd had the privledge of documenting some truly epic snow.

This "Best Powder" award is not so much for Meathead Films or the skiers but for the whole East Coast.  We're proud to be a part of the community out here and pscyhed to bring home some recognition from the rest of the worldl!"

Paige showing what 90mm waist skis can do

Some footage from the segment:

The Movie Trailer:

Support Meathead Films and Ski The East, pick up a copy of the DVD with over 90 minutes of bonus features or download the movie now on iTunes:

No Matter What on DVD: https://store.skitheeast.net/products/no_matter_what_dvd.html
No Matter What on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/no-matter-what-east-coast/id577637452