Author's note: Last year I attended the inaugural B&E Inventational in Les Arcs, France and wrote a story for ESPN Freeskiing about it. I'd intended to create a story for Newschoolers as well, but in a flurry of other stories and projects, the story for NS got lost in the mix. Even though it's about a year late, the incredible experience of the first B&E Inventational is just too good to not be shared. I hope you enjoy the story and photos, and that this gets you hyped for the 2015 B & E Invitational coming up this spring. - ESB
Words & photos: Ethan Stone
It's a beautiful, sunny spring day at Les Arcs, a day that will make history for the sport of skiing. Twenty of the world's most stylish and creative skiers are standing above an event course the likes of which have never been seen before. Hip-hop and reggae are thundering through the speakers, food's on the grill, the kegs are tapped, and a large crowd has gathered. First drop honors go to Henrik "E-Dollo" Harlaut, the short, muscled young man in a huge Bulls jersey and a head full of dreads, who alongside his cohort Phil "B-Dog" Casabon stands at the center of this event.
Henrik and Phil have brought in an all-star cast to their event. Rather than invite top competitive athletes, they've chosen instead to bring in style legends and old freeskiing heads who B&E count as influences to their own unique riding styles. David Crichton, Charles Gagnier and Corey Vanular are here, as is tall-man-steeze master Liam Downey sporting a backwoodsman's beard.
These are all skiers who have style standing still. It's not just about tricks for these guys- it's the way you move down the mountain. Up top on the drop-in, skiers are buttering around, goofing off, putting on a show for the crowd before even reaching the first feature. For a while I stop trying to find photo angles for features and just shoot the drop-in.
Parker White
There is an awards ceremony. There's a crowd, bottles of champagne, and Monster girls. Casabon gets Best Style. Candide gets People's Choice. Torin Yater-Wallace is overall winner.
Henrik Harlaut
Phil Casabon
Paul Bergeron
Candide Thovex
Ahmet Dadali
Chris Logan
Parker White
Liam Downey
Charles Gagnier
Vinnie Gagnier
Emile Bergeron
Oscar Harlaut
Dave Crichton
Simon Ericson
Torin Yater Wallace
Adam Delorme
Pako Benguerel
Taylor Seaton
Romain Grojean
Leo Taillefer
Corey Vanular
Words & photos: Ethan Stone
It's a beautiful, sunny spring day at Les Arcs, a day that will make history for the sport of skiing. Twenty of the world's most stylish and creative skiers are standing above an event course the likes of which have never been seen before. Hip-hop and reggae are thundering through the speakers, food's on the grill, the kegs are tapped, and a large crowd has gathered. First drop honors go to Henrik "E-Dollo" Harlaut, the short, muscled young man in a huge Bulls jersey and a head full of dreads, who alongside his cohort Phil "B-Dog" Casabon stands at the center of this event.
Henrik and Phil have brought in an all-star cast to their event. Rather than invite top competitive athletes, they've chosen instead to bring in style legends and old freeskiing heads who B&E count as influences to their own unique riding styles. David Crichton, Charles Gagnier and Corey Vanular are here, as is tall-man-steeze master Liam Downey sporting a backwoodsman's beard.
These are all skiers who have style standing still. It's not just about tricks for these guys- it's the way you move down the mountain. Up top on the drop-in, skiers are buttering around, goofing off, putting on a show for the crowd before even reaching the first feature. For a while I stop trying to find photo angles for features and just shoot the drop-in.
Parker White
There is an awards ceremony. There's a crowd, bottles of champagne, and Monster girls. Casabon gets Best Style. Candide gets People's Choice. Torin Yater-Wallace is overall winner.
Henrik Harlaut
Phil Casabon
Paul Bergeron
Candide Thovex
Ahmet Dadali
Chris Logan
Parker White
Liam Downey
Charles Gagnier
Vinnie Gagnier
Emile Bergeron
Oscar Harlaut
Dave Crichton
Simon Ericson
Torin Yater Wallace
Adam Delorme
Pako Benguerel
Taylor Seaton
Romain Grojean
Leo Taillefer
Corey Vanular
