'Outlier': Big Sky’s Holden Samuels Carves His Own Path in New Freeride Documentary

In the high-stakes world of professional freeride snowboarding, where athletes often follow established formulas to please judges, Holden Samuels has always been the exception to the rule. Today, that narrative takes center stage with the premiere of "Outlier," a short documentary by Pangea Collective that explores Samuels’ rise from a "ski-town anomaly" to a powerhouse on the Freeride World Tour (FWT).

Released this morning, December 19, the film offers an intimate look at the 25-year-old Big Sky local who finished sixth overall last season and has officially secured his spot for the 2026 FWT.

At roughly 10–15 minutes, Outlier blends vérité interviews, on‑mountain sequences, and behind‑the‑scenes moments that reveal Samuels’ process: how he chooses lines by feel, adapts to variable snow, and prioritises flow over formula. Viewers see the contrast between the region’s ski culture and Samuels’ snowboard‑first identity, a tension that helped shape his unconventional technique and competitive mindset

Local and industry reaction to the trailer and early clips has been enthusiastic. Filmmakers and commentators praise the film’s focus on personality as much as performance, arguing that it offers a fuller portrait of what modern freeride athletes face—pressure, creativity, and the search for meaning beyond podiums. The Pangea Collective release schedule places these shorts strategically ahead of the 2026 FWT opener, giving fans context for the season and deeper insight into athletes’ motivations

The title "Outlier" is more than just a catchy name; it’s a literal description of Samuels’ upbringing. Raised on the rocky, unforgiving steeps of Lone Mountain, Samuels grew up as the lone snowboarder in a tight-knit group of skiers.

"Growing up around skiers, I just wanted to do the same things they were doing," Samuels says in the film. "I didn’t understand why I couldn’t do that, so that was always my goal throughout competing."

This drive to keep pace with his brother, Chase—a competitive freeride skier himself—and his peers forced Samuels to develop a "stubborn" and aggressive style. While many snowboarders focus on the surf-like flow of the sport, Samuels’ riding is characterized by direct lines, massive airs, and a technical precision more commonly seen in elite alpine skiing.

Directed by Ethan Herman, "Outlier" tracks Samuels’ transition from the junior circuit—where he won the North American Championships twice—to the world’s most dangerous competitive faces.

Herman, the Creative Director of Pangea Collective, noted that Samuels has been on their radar for years. "Holden really stood out to us because he’s such an underrated rider," Herman said. "I think he absolutely has the talent to win the tour. He has the years under his belt and the strength in his legs to piece together a championship run."

The documentary doesn't just feature highlight reels from locations like Verbier and Kicking Horse; it also spends quiet moments with Samuels’ family, showing the mental toll and "go big or go home" mentality required to stay on the podium in a sport that rarely rewards middle-of-the-pack finishes.

"Outlier" is the second of four character-driven documentaries being released by Pangea Collective this winter. The series, which includes stories on athletes like Ross Tester and Taylor Dobyns, aims to peel back the curtain on the human element of freeriding—the fear, the resilience, and the identity beyond the results.

For Samuels, the film is a chance to show the next generation of riders that they don't have to fit a specific mold to reach the top. As Big Sky’s first competitive FWT contestant to tackle the Headwaters on one edge, he is living proof that being an outlier is often the greatest competitive advantage.