How the Rodeo Helmet Reignited Our Camp Partnership

For almost 40 years, the iconic action sports outpost, We Are Camp, has called Mt Hood, Oregon home and has been a global staple for off-season riding. Home to High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Windell’s Ski camp, pro athletes and young riders have flocked to spend their summers on the glacier, training and keeping the dream of winter alive. Over the years, we’ve been stoked to support the camp in different capacities and are proud to, once again, reactivate the partnership that brings first-timers and old-timers to the place where we are all chasing the same thing—one more day on the hill.

When the Smith team began thinking about the Rodeo helmet and where it fit with snow sports, there was a clear answer. We wanted to take it back to the basics, reminding us of the early days of skate and snowboard culture. The minimalistic design aspect of the helmet packs a punch and much like We Are Camp, supplies everything you need, whether it’s your first time to the mountain or your hundredth. We filled the We Are Camp demo center with Rodeo helmets for campers and staff to test out all season. The overarching feedback from Demo center manager, Ethan Trout, was that the design and appearance were a huge draw for everyone around. “From the looks, the areas of note were the colors and finish and the simple, non-bulky design. Campers appreciated how it looked more similar to a skate helmet than some of the more tech helmets. The other major draw for the helmet itself came from the MIPS protection factor.”

To bring the story of the Rodeo helmet to life, we set out to shoot on Mt. Hood in conjunction with camp. We lined up an elite roster of athletes to showcase the juxtaposed styles of younger riders, Zeb Powell and Iris Pham and veteran riders, Scott Stevens and Austin Smith. The energy of the team riding together in one of the most iconic off-season locations was a perfect recipe to bridge the gap between old school design and new school technology. With the snow season upon us, we look forward to the continued partnership in our own backyard and the ability to showcase a new staple in the SMITH snow lineup.