Greater Than Sum Ep 2: Japan from GREATER THAN SUM on Vimeo.
Meet this ripping crew of skiers out of Jackson, WY who just released the second episode to their “Greater Than Sum” series filmed last winter. Tami Razinger, Veronica Paulsen, Sophia Schwartz, Laura Gaylord and Max Martin are the five skiers starring in this three-part film shot on location in Jackson, Japan and southwest Utah by their filmers Stephen Shelesky and Susie Theis. This motley group joined forces for this project with the idea of combining skiers from different backgrounds to tell a story of friendship and teamwork in the mountains. Each skier brings unique skills to the slopes and presents varying skiing styles that you’ll see as they pick their way down iconic Jackson lines, volcanoes in Japan and Utah desert couloirs.
A strong ski racing background influenced Razinger, Gaylord and Martin‘s skiing while Paulsen and Schwartz were brought up competing in moguls. Razinger, Gaylord, Paulsen and Schwartz also competed in the Freeride World Tour Qualifying Tour. Some notable results in the 4* FWQ series is a 1stfor Razinger in Crystal Mountain, a 1stfor Gaylord in Crested Butte, a 2ndfor Schwartz in Kirkwood and a 4thfor Paulsen in Kicking Horse. Razinger, Schwartz and Paulsen also competed in the first annual King and Queen of Corbet’s event in 2018. Paulsen was back at it again this last winter as the only female to huck a backflip and is still looking for the opportunity to give it another shot! While most of the crew have transplanted to Jackson from other states (Vermont, New Hampshire, Colorado and California), the token male of the group, Max Martin, is a true Jackson native. For the entire team, the Tetons provide the perfect combination of deep snow, exposure, and steep terrain to progress. Regardless of their unique histories, all five skiers shared a common desire to present the ski industry with a film that showcased their season journey.
From this, an idea was born and they booked flights to Japan—and brought their two very talented videographers with them. They skied in various resorts around Niseko, Furano and Hakuba. Some of their most memorable experiences include skiing off of their first avalanche barriers that they found on the side of the road and trying every possible snack they could find in the many, MANY seven-eleven stops they made along the way. Of course, there were the more frustrating parts of the adventure like getting their rental car stuck in snow and not knowing where to start when it came to planning their first trip to Japan (let alone knowing where to ski). Skiing with a guide in Furano and some locals in Hakuba seemed to help with that, though. All in all, they had an amazing experience in Japan, skied a TON and met some great people.
Another trip brought the group to southwest Utah where they skied zones that don’t hold snow every year and when they do, not for very long. Have you ever even thought of skiing between orange-red rock walls you see in the desert? The Greater Than Sum crew didn’t know exactly what to expect but what they found when they got there was one of the most picturesque landscapes that they had ever seen. They had great weather, endless terrain and better yet, enough snow to ski it. It was a quick trip but they met their objectives and drove back to Jackson stoked that they made it work.
You can watch episode one, where you meet the crew here!
The third and final episode will be available online following a premiere in Jackson on December 6thfrom 6–8pm at the theater in Teton Gravity’s retail store off the town square in Jackson. The event is free and you can register for your preferred showtime here and be sure to add the Facebook event to your calendar here! There will be music, Melvin beer and snacks provided and the Greater Than Sum crew will be selling raffle tickets for your chance to win some fantastic prizes from their sponsors. Be sure to also go to Thai Me Up for beer specials after the premiere to benefit the group! It’s bound to be a super fun night!
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Episode 1 (meet the crew): https://vimeo.com/367916239
Episode 2: (Japan) https://vimeo.com/374709596
Episode 3 (southwest Utah): Available online after December 6th!
Want to learn more about what this motley crew is up to? Check out their article in Freeskier and Buckrail!
