The Solid Seven will be a whenever the hell I feel like it article series detailing 7 solid, not necessarily great, skiing related topics. Whether it is 7 questions with everyone's favorite pro Jason Arens *cough* finish the damn interview *cough* (yes it's still not done yet), 7 epic BC jump shots, or the 7 gnarliest bails from the previous month, just know I'm doing you a solid.
A new mini-segment to the Solid 7 article series, we explore the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T). Big ups to TallxT and EHeath for additional guidance during the making of this article.
What is the greatest urban ski segment of all time? A difficult question to answer, one that is constantly debated, yet one that may never be settled.
1. Clayton Vila | Mutiny | Stept Productions
Is there any description that can do this segment justice? Some have claimed this is the greatest urban segment of all time. The song choice, vibe of the shots, and raw talent of Clayton in the streets melded together to create one of the finest segments of his career.
2. Tom Wallisch | Refresh | Level 1 Productions
The background story of just the opening shot is enough to put this video into the top 7; hours on hours hiking a gnarly quad kink in the shittiest weather Park City had to offer that winter and Tom proceeds to stomp a 270 on to switch. Tom's Refresh seg is one that stands on its own today, and will probably hold up another 10 years down the line. Enough said.
3. Clayton Vila | The Creep | Stept Productions, Poor Boyz, Teton Gravity Research
Yes, Clayton is back for round 2! Clayton was lurking the streets of North America, robbing four second clips from behind people's backs. He proved to be one of the most prolific film skier's by putting out three full street segments with Stept, Teton Gravity Research, and Poor Boyz Productions that year. Now, you get to see his best shots from all three movies, all in one segment, exactly how he wants it.
4. Dave Crichton | Forward | Level 1 Productions
2002. A year in which some of you reading this may not have been aware of freestyle skiing or perhaps you weren't even alive yet. Regardless, Dave Crichton set the standard at a very early age in the urban "newschool" movement.
5. Phil Casabon | Keynote Skier | Inspired Media
Innovator and purveyor of style, B-Dog has blown the minds of over 236,000 viewers with his effortless approach to urban in his latest movie venture. Although there was some BC shots intermixed, this edit oozes style and creativity unlike any other edit in history.
6. JP Auclair | All.I.Can | Sherpas Cinemas
I cannot put into words the sensational movie part that JP and Sherpas teamed up to create. Like many of you, I have had non-skiers come up to me asking if I had seen "that crazy skier guy skiing in the streets" more than a couple times.
"...in memory of one of the greatest humans ever created, truly, JP Auclair. An unbelievable skier, one of the absolute all-time best - but skiing was just a sliver of his talents, and the gifts he gave our world. His brilliantly creative mind understood the essence of progression, but it was his incredibly humble, kind, and humorous nature that brought it to reality. Hard working, optimistic, and always caring - for the environment, for humanity, for friends and family. This world needs more people like you my friend." - Sherpas Cinemas
7. Tim McChesney | Begging For Change | 4bi9 Media
Cheddar is coming in hot to our last spot. His segment in Begging For Change is arguably one of the best in the entire film and looking back 4 years, I feel like it is one of the more underrated street segments of all time that. A la Tom's Refresh segment, this part will be able to hold it's own 10 years down the road.
Favorite segment of yours didn't make the cut? Leave a comment below with who you think should've been in this week's Solid 7!