John Padilla's Outdoor Recreation & Mental Health Advocacy Gear & Expert Recommendations
Film Director & Pro Skier
Montana, USATell your friends you love them.
I own and operate Mountain in My Mind, the first and only documentary ski films about mental health and resilience in mountain towns. I give a keynote speech and organize a large gear giveaway at all 25+ stops of our annual Suicide Prevention Ski Film Tour each Fall. Our films feature professional skiers and snowboarders throwing down in the backcountry of Cooke City, Montana and talking about the lessons they’ve learned through a wide variety of mental health challenges. Our films have won many awards and we sell out every venue on our tour.
Discipline: Outdoor Recreation & Mental Health Advocacy
Specialty: Backcountry skiing and snowmobiling (sledskiing)
Keynote speaker at 100+ sold out, live premieres in mountain towns in every state in the Western United States Award-winning documentary film director Guest on all major snow sports podcasts and featured articles in many major snow sports magazines
Expert Gear Picks from John Padilla
Expert outdoor recreation & mental health advocacy gear recommendations from John Padilla, Film Director & Pro Skier, based in Montana, USA.
John Padilla's Outerwear
Sledskiing is brutal on gear, which is why there’s only one brand I trust…
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Flylow Quantum Pro Jacket
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Flylow Baker Bib
John Padilla's Layers
Layers are the key to having fun backcountry skiing!
John Padilla recommends the Flylow General's Down Sweater
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Puffer Pant
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Larry Vest
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Boone Fleece
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Mullet Jogger
John Padilla's Gloves
Sledskiing = bring 3 pairs of gloves, or at least it used to…
John Padilla recommends the Flylow Wolverine Glove
John Padilla's Skis
I exclusively ski in the backcountry, meaning I usually see every type of snow on a given day and my skis have to be wheelie-proof sitting on the back of my sled.
John Padilla recommends the RMU 2026 Professor 111
John Padilla recommends the RMU 2026 Apostle 114
John Padilla recommends the RMU 2026 Apostle 106 Carbon
John Padilla's Goggles
If you’ve ever sledskied, you know that goggles matter, a lot.
John Padilla recommends the Giro Method Goggle
John Padilla's Helmets
You only get one brain, protect it wisely!
John Padilla recommends the Giro Owen Spherical Helmet
