Movie Review: 'On Top of the Hood' shows ski filmmaker Sammy Carlson can do it all

By Josh Swallow
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev.- As we begin to prepare for this upcoming winter, it is no surprise to any Sierra Nevada College student that the ski and snowboard season is right around the corner. With this time of the year brings the beginning of incredible ski films that keep everyone entertained once off the slopes.

One of this year’s most anticipated films, On Top of The Hood, was released for free this fall on the Internet after its premiere at the International Freeski Film Festival in Montreal. Dream child of the Winter X Games slopestyle champion, Sammy Carlson, stars, produces and directs his first movie. Dedicating it to all of his fans for the support over the years, Carlson video tapes his whole summer as he and his crew explore the backcountry on top of Mt. Hood just outside of Portland, Ore.

In collaboration with Nimbus Independent, this film includes skiers at the top of the industry building insane features near the summit of Mt. Hood, which stands near 11,235 ft. With sponsorship from Rockstar Energy Drink, Salomon Skis, and Nike 6.0 just to name a few, give money to support the project. Carlson and many other famed skiers such as Nate Wood, Brandon Kelly, John Spriggs, and Andy Mahre push the limits of the sport as they begin to expand their sport into the backcountry, creating monstrous jumps that allow them to try triple rotations of a wide variety of tricks.

Carlson says in an interview with ESPN he has been dreaming of this project since he was a little kid spending his summers on Mt. Hood. Being a consistent student at Windells Camp, a premier youth freeski camp, Carlson has honed his skills on this mountain and wanted to give back to all those that have helped in this area with this film.

This film is the beginning of greatness on what has already been a fabulous career for Carlson. Being only 22 and already having a gold metal and numerous placed finishes on the pro tour, developing his own movie seemed like the next logical step for this young and up incoming star. Few skiers have taken on all the responsibility that Carlson has in this film. Having the idea, starring in, directing, and producing, Carlson is displaying to the world that he can do it all. Carlson displays his unique take on skiing and is able to make sure it all get caught on camera.

It is no doubt that this is one of the most unique ski films ever made and Carlson is setting the trend for the whole industry. This film is the start of top athletes in the sport pushing themselves with insane tricks and jumps in the backcountry. Carlson has a bright and shining future in front of him, and ski enthusiasts are all lucky to be able to witness him pushing skiing to its limits. Carlson is obviously living life “On Top of the Hood.”