What even is a 'Breakthrough Skier'? We'll it's certainly a very difficult thing to define. Deciding who counts, is always pretty subjective with this kind of thing. Should Nick Martini have won SuperUnknown? Opinions differ to this day. When it comes down to it, our judges make a call and it's based on who they feel really moved the needle in the previous year, in terms of raising their industry stock. It could be someone who wins a major event for the first time, drops a career-changing video part, or moves into the upper echelons of the ski game for the first time. We're aware that you guys are generally very in the loop, especially when it comes to the local homies. But this year's nominees certainly all made a big leap forward this season and we can't wait to see what they have to offer in years to come.

Jasper Skidmore has been spearheading the Entourage crew for some years now, but this year his part this year really raised the bar. In fact, the whole movie was a big step up but Jasper was the clear standout for us. Knocking out both gnarly urban transfers and backcountry booter bangers, K2 really need to bump this guy up the ranks ASAP.

Shiori Takahashi popped up on our radar last year in Taylor Lundquists "Hai, my name is" but her SuperUnknown entry still blew everyone's mind in the judging booth for that event. Street bangers all day long but could she do it at a park shoot? Well, she won the crown so clearly, yes!

Tom Galarneau dropped what we'd call the best independent solo project of the year (AKA no Energy Drink budget) with street hammers galore and some awesome summer shots from hood. We really hope the level of bangers he put out gives him the chance to shoot with a bigger budget this season because he crushed it and deserves to level up.

And then we have Shonny Charbonneau, who is a bit more of a controversial nominee, because they've been around for a few years now. But then again, so has our winner. What they both have in common is they never really broke through to that upper echelon in skiing, until now. Shonny put out their absolute best footage to date in The Harvest, which itself was one of our movie of the year nominees.

A movie in which the ender went to our winner, our Breakthrough Skier Of The Year, Jacob Belanger. Who has also been killing it for ages now, but despite occasional moments in the spotlight, never really made the big jump. Until now. His ender in The Harvest had us discussing whether he should be nominated for Skier Of The Year, and with a couple more spots, he easily could have been. It also earned him a phonecall from one of skiing's biggest brands and a big chance to make himself a household name. Congratulations Jacob, we can't wait to see more.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1103611/1000016489-mp4