Alex "Army" Armstrong
Army is a pocket knife of a skier. Coming from the East and growing up ski racing, she honed her technical skiing skills on the icy hills of Mont Ste. Marie, Quebec. After realizing she was a ski bum in the wrong province, she moved out to Banff, Alberta. Army learnt how to navigate the backcountry by becoming a ski patroller and freeski while competing on the local FWQ stops. After getting some notice from sponsors, Army decided to pursue a career as a professional skier. Through a few years of hard work and luck, she now has self-produced many projects, including Skier Rich, which she was nominated for Female Performance of the Year at iF3, starred in Blank’s 2022 film, "Feels Real" and will appear in Teton Gravity's Film this fall 2023. Army is now based out of Squamish, British Columbia on the unceded ancestral territories of the Lil’Wat and Squamish Nations. Her limited edition IWO North Shore 114 model honours the scared grounds she calls home by donating all proceeds to the "Indigenous Women Outdoors" charity to that assists indigenous women access their native surroundings.
"Inspired by my racing roots and my big mountain style, the North Shore 114 is made to charge and be stable on big lines but maneuverable enough to nail techy pillows, trees and slash a good old fashion pow turn!"
Benny Smith
Benny Smith is 27 years old, born and raised in Vermont. He moved out to Colorado at age 16 and competed in slope style until the age of 22. Being a local in the Breckenridge and Copper region, he sparked connections with RMU founder Mike Waesche. He signed on with RMU 10 years ago as a core athlete in RMU's identity, helping design our signature park ski "The Rippah" with co-athlete Ethan Swadburg. After entering level 1 SuperUnknown he started to gear towards filming, particularly in backcountry segments. Since appearing in Level 1's SuperUnknown, Benny has starred in Level 1 films; Romance, Pleasure, Habit and Zig Zag. Benny went on to create the ski crew Strictly with his friends and put out four movies; Strictly Business, Welcome, Bermuda, and Wildcard. He has been nominated for IF3’s Male Skier of the year and Backcountry Segment of the year. When he’s not skiing he’s most likely hammering nails, mountain biking, dirt biking or golfing, while helping shape the future of RMU skis with his input on the rebirth of the Professor 121.
"The rippah continues to be old faithful in the park. Every time I hop back on that ski it’s a pleasant reunion with my earlier days of skiing park daily. They get everything done for me in the park, stiff enough to still chuck doubles and be confident in going big, knowing they can take the impact, but playful enough to surface swap and butter around. "
"The professor is the perfect ski to have in the backcountry every day. At 121 underfoot and 188 in length you would assume that’s a tough ski to handle, but it skis really quick and snappy. I feel like I’m on a park ski out there. They are stiff enough where I’m comfortable to ski big lines or jumps but still snappy and buttery enough for me to get creative. I’m really happy with how this ski turned out."
"The apostle 106 is a fantastic everyday resort ski. I mount mine 3 cm back from center and this gives me the comfort to take them from the early morning all mountain laps, to some park laps in the afternoon. They handle speed and chop better than any ski I’ve ridden before and are super fun and snappy in the park. If your looking for a one ski quiver for the year this is the one. "
Elsa Smith
Despite her age, Elsa Smith is no stranger to the world of freeride skiing. Her childhood in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, allowed her to play around Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee during the weekends, and in the backcountry terrain of Wyoming and Idaho on weekdays after school. Her upbringing inspired her to pursue a lifestyle that revolves around the mountains, and she has since dipped her toes into freeride competition circuits and film and media projects. Despite having a decorated competitive history in the IFSA circuit, Elsa has departed from the competition world and has joined small production teams, like The Local's Project, on story-telling-based films that capture the fundamental elements of skiing. Now that she's back in Wyoming after finishing her undergraduate degree in Integrative Human Physiology, Elsa is excited to pursue more projects that reflect what she loves most about skiing- community, personal style, and pure joyful fun.
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Helena Hoppenrath
Helena Hoppenrath is from Bowen Island, a small island in the Howe Sound next to Vancouver city. With a population of a few thousand, residents of Bowen Island are naturally drawn to the outdoors for the excitement that is right on their doorstep. Helena grew up skiing in the Sea To Sky corridor from a young age with her father Andy. Passing on a mountain lifestyle and knowledge of the Coast Mountain Backcountry that many dream for. She shares experiences and passion for the mountains alongside her family and tight community in the Sea To Ski corridor. It's this aspect that matches Helena with RMU, finding a connection with the community atmosphere we attempt to bring in our location. Celebrating what makes these towns so special to us all. This season Helena felt a significant shift in her perspective on skiing and how she wants to represent herself in the industry. Having creative outlets was a huge contributor to that. Balancing her time working for Blackcomb Ski Patrol, and her off-days spent producing a Super-8 short film along with RMU athlete Elsa Smith. Helena’s been learning all the in’s and out’s of filming, and appreciating the whole process. We’re looking forward to seeing what she’s cooking up!
"The YLE 118 ski was a game changer for me. No matter what conditions I’m skiing in, they go. Crud, hard-pack, pow, corn snow, you name it! The width, paired with the asymmetrical build, gives them a smooth surfy feel. I started surfing a few years back, and I feel like it’s influenced my style, and has made me look at the mountain with a new perspective. Those ski’s give me that feeling, and some days it really does feel like I’m riding a wave. I’m happy I went with the big boys, and I’ll never go back!"
"The North shore 114 is my daily driver. The stiffness of this ski enables you to charge while hot lapping resort, and has just enough flex, with a wider shovel to comfortably ride down a playful pillow line. This winter was my rookie season on the sled, and I was able to access a whole different world of terrain. I brought the 114’s with me everyday, and I felt that they gave me great confidence down every line I skied. Alex hit the hammer on the nail with every aspect of the North shore 114. And It made the whole experience that much more special when you're riding on a ski that your good buddy designed! I’m excited to bring this ski with me on future missions, and see what we get up to."
Wiley Miller
Wiley Miller is a legend in the ski world who originally grew up in Billings, MT. Wiley's work as a competitive and film athlete, as well as background in product development and design, has had a profound effect on the industry and sport for the past decade. Skiing has always been a part of Wiley's life and something he's focused on more than anything. His unique and creative skiing, mixed with challenging features in the backcountry has developed into his signature style, smooth and effortless. Wiley loves to produce film projects to reflect the creative style that drives him to be in the mountains everyday. His latest film Connection To Gravity gives us an in-depth look at current life in his home state of Montana and how skiing continues to drive him through life’s challenges. This film aims to simplify the true form of meaning and happiness we all look to achieve through dedicated practice and passion.
"...I designed this ski (YLE 118) to handle certain attributes of skiing better then others. Understandably I want these things to be able to handle powder, handle high speed but also be able to charge the mountain everyday, so it needs to turn and it cant be a 2 x 6. So I understand that there is some give and take with this ski the use is good in powder, playful, but needs to handle high speed, jumps, and skiable through the trees or chop on the mountain....the ski is not asymmetrical, the sidecut is the same on both skis inside or outside. One thing RMU and I focused on is that for the longest time skis were designed as an individual which makes sense but for this ski and what it is meant to do we were inspired by the entire canvas of the board. I guess if you thought of it like a no board or a surfboard and cut it in two you start to get a much different shape then as just one ski. "
Jacob Belanger
Jacob is from from Lac Beauport, Québéc, and began skiing at the age of 2 at his local resort Le Relais. The province of Québéc in Canada has continuously put out some of the best park and freeskiers in the game year after year. The Québécois culture puts skiing on the highest pedestal, but for which many outside of the province are yet to know. Jacob's skiing was inherited through family, being taught from the moment he could walk by his father and grandfather. He continued on with the family passion as a ski racer until age 11 when he fell in love with park skiing. His effortless style to land more spins than seems plausible has landed him with sponsors for numerous years. Jacob moved out to Whistler in 2020 to pursue the larger mountains and backcountry terrain. RMU caught his eye when RMU local Kyle Coxworth's custom Rippah graphic was released and flooded the Whistler/Blackcomb park. Jacob said he "really loved the vibe of the company with the Resto/bar/ski shop at the bottom of the ski hill! The switch to rmu skis just came naturally and i’m so stoked about it! 🫡" Jacob has been apart of numerous street and park projects in Québéc, and partook in Good Company's "Working Title" in 2019. Since moving to British Colombia, the film projects took a backseat while adjusting the environment and backcountry terrain. But for this 2022/2023 winter season, Jacob spent weeks in-front of the lens in an upcoming sequel film to Joey Kraft's "Braj". He's determined this new film will be his best work on skis yet, and we're in for a treat! Other sponsor: Planks clothing, D-structure shop, Trinsic Optic
"I’ve been on the north shore 114 pretty much every day this year and this ski is probably one of the most fun and playfull skis i had the chance to ride. From the deep day in the backcountry to the choppy moguls on the resort , even in the park and on rails, it did it all so well! Even if the tail is a little flat, if your concerned about not being able to ride switch in the pow on this ski , let me tell you that it works super well! Nothing but good things to say about it !"
Keri Herman
Growing up in Minnesota, Keri Herman started out as a hockey player. She found her true calling in skiing at the age of 21 when she was attending the University of Denver. Graduating in 2005 with a Finance and Marketing degree, she moved to Breckenridge and reignited her love for competition. She competed at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, has 5 X games silver medals, 3 Dew Tour medals, World Cup and Grand Prix podium finishes and was the first female to become World Champion and take home the Crystal Globe for Slopestyle Skiing.
"I helped create the Valhalla 97 and 107 which are my all time favorite skis on the planet! They are so playful and fun! I have so much control whether I'm skiing big mountain, groomers, trees or park. I am obsessed. It's so great being a part of a company that works so well together to create new, innovative and awesome products!"
Kyle Coxworth
Kyle Coxworth is like a lot of Whistler locals, originally from Ontario. Growing up skiing in Ontario's park and urban culture, Kyle made the move to Whistler at 20 years old to pursue the skiing lifestyle. The move included numerous friends from Ontario and their crew "Spring & Friends" have hammered the Black Park of Whistler Blackcomb season after season. Kyle was introduced to RMU by watching Ethan Swadburg but like numerous other current RMU athletes, became involved in the community through the creation of our Whistler location. Now 4 years on RMU skis, Kyle has produced his own limited edition top-sheet for "The Rippah" from photography during his ski urban segments, partook in Level 1's SuperUnknown XVIII finals and highlights events with New Schoolers at Sunshine resort. In 2022 Kyle & other RMU riders released a film "Braj" with Joey Kraft and set to release their sequel this Fall. Eye an eye out.
"To me the rippah has been the most consistent ski for me. Been using it non stop for the last 4 seasons with no complaints on how they ride. Built so solid and I trust them to get me to and out of anything. I would easily choose this ski over anything."
"The professor definitely made my thoughts towards fat pow skis change a lot. I struggled to get comfy on most of the other options i tried since ive been on RMU. This ski surprised me alot and I immediately felt comfy and connected to it and how it behaves. got full control on the ski right away and will stick to this one for a while. "
Mark Abma
Mark Abma is a professional big mountain freeskier from British Columbia, Canada and is one of the industry’s most popular athletes, both for his smooth, aggressive style and his outgoing personality. Mark grew up competing in mogul skiing before transitioning to park competitions in his late teens. In 2003 he got a chance to film with Matchstick Productions and he hasn’t looked back since, filming in every MSP film since, as well as several Warren Miller and Poor Boyz movies. Abma has won the Powder Video Award for Best Male Performance twice in 2005 and 2007 and continues to lead the industry today
"The Professor is my most used ski because it provides the perfect balance between being playful and hard charging. It has an amazing ability to slash turns, but also has the stability for high speed turns. The tip keeps you floating on the deep days and the tail gives you the support needed for landing airs. In other words, “It floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.“ "
Mark Draper
Mark Draper is originally from Toronto, Ontario. A park athlete that has many waves on social media and the competition circuit in his during his time competing. As a freestyle coach he spends his summers on the famous Blackcomb Glacier as a part of Momentum Camps. His skill set and friendly demeanor has him successfully placed as the face of Ski Addictions social media, teaching everybody from groms to old-boys how to master tricks, Mark was initially introduced to RMU by watching Ethan Swadburg and actually visited RMU's original Breckenridge location while competing. He joined RMU in 2020 through the RMU Whistler community and rides the Rippah 98 daily before finishing it off with a caesar and a jalapeño pulled pork sandy. Mark has been integrating further into our athlete program and we're excited to see what waves we can create.
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Sofia Forsman
Belonging in the backcountry with the rare appearance at the ski hill, an alpine wrangler with a heart for exploring. Sofia is our multitool, equal parts athlete, ski guide and instructor. Guiding heliskiing, ski touring, mountaineering courses and teaching avalanche courses. You'll see her on both sides of the lens, recently in Skier Rich. With some luck you'll spot her at the Blackcomb bar, ordering one of the many fancy cocktails she probably can't pronounce the name of.
"My spirit animal is the Valhalla Tour 107, light for long days while not compromising any float or stability handling all conditions you may encounter and not plan for"
"I take the Apostle for alpine touring when stability and flex for big turns and airtime is essential, this will be my pick. Slightly longer and with a bit more live feel"
"The North Shore 114 is for the biggest lines and the deepest days, whenever I have a bit of help getting up the mountain this ski is the it for me"
Tristan Underhill
Born and raised in Whistler BC, Tristan is a prodigy of Whistler's generational skiers. Between his free time and his previous years of patrolling on Whistler Blackcomb, Tristan has spent more time on a pair of skis than most people do walking. Tristan was first introduced to RMU in 2012 by RMU community member Landon Pinette. A grassroots team that was the first to push and receive the infamous Professor 200cm ski. Tristan has been riding RMU ever since and is now pushing boundaries on exceptional big mountain terrain, but always behind the scenes. Whistler produces some of the world's best skiers that we never see. A regular Tristan day may be something we'd all love to watch on a movie screen, so for the 2022 season, we superglued a Go-Pro to his head and had our minds blown. We're always excited to see what Tristan does next.
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