In February 2026, Armada Skis released their 63-minute full-length team movie, "ORNADA," on YouTube.
This film, which took over two years to produce, seamlessly integrates footage from Alaskan big mountain skiing to Quebec street and park sessions.
Around the year 2000, freeskiing was rapidly changing and expanding its presence. While new ways of skiing such as park and street were spreading, the existing ski industry was unable to fully cope with these changes.
In this context, Armada was launched in 2002 by the late JP Auclair and Tanner Hall, among others, by bringing the "methods" of skateboarding and snowboarding to skiing.
"Created by the riders, driven by the riders"—for Armada, the team wasn't something created later for promotional purposes, but rather the very starting point of the brand
In that context, the fact that 'ORNADA' was released as a team movie exceeding one hour in length has significance beyond mere promotion. The opening segment features founding member and "Ski Boss" Tanner Hall, along with legends like Sammy Carlson, Henrik Harlaut, and Phil Casabon, as well as the next generation of skiers like Kuura Koivisto and Keagan Supple. From Japan, Anri Kawamura and Hokkaido-based skier Yoshiya Urata, also known as "Bull," make appearances
Big mountain, street, park, powder, backcountry jumps—the team is unified as one unit, without dividing riders by genre
The film is supported by a massive mural by Madsteez, an artist who creates ski graphics, and a song written specifically for the project by the eight-member band "ORNADA 8". In the fall of 2025, the film premiered in theaters around the world with live performances by the band.
Phil Casabon, who headlined the event, co-directed and edited the film, and former Armada riders such as Spencer Milbocker and Brady Perron participated in the filming. The fact that the creators and the skiers overlap speaks volumes about the nature of this team movie.
This "team" mentality is evident not only in the works themselves, but also in their long-standing relationships. One of the key figures in this connection is Yoshiya Urata, also known as "Bull," who is based in Hokkaido.
Corey Stanton, the director and producer of "ORNADA," and rider Mike Hornbeck have repeatedly visited Hokkaido since around 2013, creating works such as "SNOWCIETIES Ep. 2: Sapporo."
Bull is more than just a local rider acting as a guide. His airs are explosive yet highly successful, and his turns are flawless. It's his style and character that make you want to ski with him, which is why this relationship has continued.
Both Bull and Hornbeck have families and don't make a living solely from skiing. Yet they continue to be involved in projects of this caliber. With Tanner Hall, in his 40s, opening the film, and riders with families continuing to ski as part of the team—this is not a showcase for young talent, but a film that reflects the brand's culture of staying involved in skiing.
In an age where short videos are consumed and forgotten, creating a 63-minute team movie
isn't about nostalgia; it's an act of demonstrating "what this brand believes in."
Viewed through the lens of Bull, it's not a distant, large-scale overseas production for Japanese skiers either.