The complete story HERE on NS.com !

DENVER, CO – September 15, 2009 -  Ski film fans, professional skiers, snowsports industry magnates, and media gathered at Denver’s Bluebird Theater on Friday, September 11th for the official World Premiere of Level 1’s tenth anniversary ski film project, “Refresh.”  The lineup at the ticket window formed at 7pm, and remained wrapped around the block long after the film’s scheduled start time of 9:30, as excited fans kept filing into the theater for the sold-out show.

DJs Hathbanger and Daywalker kept the enthused crowd entertained and dancing with their  2-hour long set, before gear from Dynastar, Under Armour, Skullcandy, Monster, Spyder, Spy, and other sponsors was raffled off and tossed into the crowd.

After the preliminary entertainment, the lights dimmed and the intro began. Director Josh Berman conveyed some of his early memories of watching ski films, the nostalgia of being ten years deep in creating his own films, and how like so many others, it was Warren Miller whose films first inspired him.

Surprise Participation from Icon Warren Miller:
None of the ensuing action over the length of the 55-minute film- no matter how unbelievable the skiing, creative the shot, or epic the light- could have provoked the moment of contemplative silence, followed by deafening cheers, as when the voice of Warren Miller himself stepped in, adding insight and depth to where skiing has come from over the past sixty years, and how it has arrived at its current state.  As Miller reflects in the film, “Today’s filmmakers have refreshed their perspectives of what’s possible on both sides of the camera.  Skiing today, is not, what it once was…”

And it certainly is not.

From jib and jump superstar Tom Wallisch’s opening segment through Wiley Miller’s Alaskan big mountain lines that closed the film, the crowd roared from the first action shot through the last, pausing only to take in further exchanges between (Warren) Miller, the athletes, and the filmmakers behind “Refresh,” as they told stories of traveling, skiing, and filmmaking from across the globe.

The evening marked the release of Level 1’s most comprehensive ski film yet, as well as a unique milestone for Josh Berman and Level 1- the coveted and rare opportunity to work with ski filmmaking icon, Warren Miller.  It was and is, quite certainly, a collaboration unlike any other which the skiing public has ever witnessed.

“Bringing in Warren Miller to share his thoughts, words, and perspective is the ultimate way for us to bridge the gap between our younger core audience, and the more traditional ski film fans,” said Berman, about the collaboration.  “His knowledge and insight adds something to this year’s film that every generation will be able to take something away from, and if his closing words don’t make you want to go out and ski, nothing will!”

“Participating in ‘Refresh’ was a great opportunity for me to commemorate my 60-year heritage of adventure film-making by working with a young man and his production company, which mirror my own story in many ways,” said Warren Miller. “The ski industry has transformed and it has been both fun and gratifying for me to be interviewed for this project by a group whose enthusiasm for skiing and dedication to quality film-making are both genuine and infectious.”

———-

About Level 1:
Based out of Denver, Colorado, Level 1 is one of the fastest growing brands in the Action Sports industry.  Founded in 1999, and independently owned and operated by Josh Berman, Level 1 is recognized across the globe for its contribution to the sport of Skiing, finding and exposing the next generation of talent, and helping bring the sport back to the youth demographic.  Josh and his team produce among the most widely distributed and broadcast ski films and ski action content in the world, and have received numerous awards for their work over the past ten years.

About Refresh:
Never before has the sport of skiing changed and progressed so much, so quickly, as it has over the past decade.  With changes in equipment, accessibility of terrain, and most importantly the mindset of some of the world’s best athletes, skiing today is not what it once was… An integral part of these recent changes, Level 1 looks back and challenges perspectives of where the sport has come from, and where it’s going in their tenth-anniversary offering, “Refresh.”  Keeping true to their humble roots while exploring every arena that skiing has to offer the Level 1 crew serves up the most diverse ski entertainment to date.  New things will never get old- fresh images of big jumps, deep powder, technical urban exploits, steep lines, and memorable terrain park action with a collection of the sport’s best and brightest talent.

About Warren Miller:
One of the most recognizable names in the Winter Sports Industry, Warren Miller has been making ski films for more than half of a century.  His annual films on skiing were renowned for their stunning photography, witty humor, classic storytelling, and exhibition of incredible talent showcasing participants of all levels, from everyday enthusiasts to professional athletes.  Currently, Miller is busy writing a weekly column for numerous ski resort newspapers and working on his autobiography.  Additionally, he has almost completed his cartoon book about the only sport as dumb as skiing, but done while wearing fewer clothes, golf.  For more information about Warren, his products and his stories, please visit www.warrenmiller.net or join him on his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/warrenmiller.

Wanna be the first to see Level 1’s REFRESH in Moscow ? Wanna see ARC rider Tom Wallisch shred on the screen ? October 15th is YOUR day (or better evening !).

klick to watch the trailer

Featuring:
Tom Wallisch, Wiley Miller, Tanner Rainville, Duncan Adams, Phil Casabon, Henrik Harlaut, Mike Riddle, Josh Bibby, Liam Downey, Corey Vanular, Mike Hornbeck, Stefan Thomas, Will Wesson, Adam Delorme, Ahmet Dadali, JF Houle, Arnaud Rougier, Niklas Eriksson, and others.

Shot on location at:
SEABA/Haines AK, Mammoth Mountain CA, Denver CO, Michigan, Salt Lake City UT, Chamonix and Tignes France, Baldface Lodge BC, Helsinki Finland, Are Sweden, Trysil Norway, Copper Mtn CO, Alta UT, Eclipse Snow Park CO, Squaw Valley CA, Windells/Timberline OR, Montana, Eastern Canada, Keystone CO, Revelstoke Mountain Resort BC, and Crested Butte CO

Proudly supported by:
Dynastar/Lange, Spyder, Under Armour, Skullcandy, Jiberish, Spy Optic, SWEET, Freeskier Magazine, Level, SBC Skier, Moment Skis, Orage, Amplid, Volkl, 4Frnt, Full Tilt, Kombi, EC Headwear

Our friends over at BNQT.com have teamed up with Coast Body Wash to launch the first annual Make Me Famous sponsorship contest, awarding the winning skier or snowboarder a year-long sponsorship deal worth $20k. We’ve gathered some of Tom Wallisch’s best content from the past 3 years, (with the exception, of course, of all his new content which we’ll have to keep exclusive to Level 1’s latest flick, “Refresh”), and edited it all together in one of the most impressive displays of talent that we’ve seen in a while.

LEAVE A COMMENT AND HELP TOM ENTER THE FINALS !

Check out the HD version below, then head right on over to check out Tom’s entry on the official Coast contest site and leave a comment. In order to be considered for the finals, we need at least a few people to drop some kind words in the comment field.

Check out all the official rules and regulations at coast-makemefamous.com.

Freeskier Magazine released the results of their first annual Reader Poll this week, and Level 1 and our athletes came out on top (or near it!) in almost every applicable category.

Freeskier readers voted Turbo as “Movie of the Year,” also awarding it with the accolades of “Best Editing” and “Best Soundtrack.” Of all the movie awards out there, certainly the most valuable is one voted solely by the general public of ski film fans and viewers, completely honest and not skewed by advertising dollars, personal agendas, and sponsorship politics. Level 1, year in and year out seeks to make films that showcase the action, locations, and direction of skiing as we want to see it, and it couldn’t be a bigger pat on the back to have Freeskier’s readers put Turbo on top… READ ON…