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In our second installment of the Storytellers Series, we dive into Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s iconic annual freestyle ski and snowboard event — Kings and Queens of Corbet’s — and the team behind the cameras making the live broadcast happen at over 10,000 feet. Leading the camera operations team is local cinematographer Ben Dann, helping bring the high-level live production event to life from behind the lens.

Setting the Scene: Kings and Queens of Corbet’s Couloir 

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Imagine this — it’s 5 AM in Jackson Hole. A balmy -15 degrees. The sun hasn’t risen yet. You grab your warmest layers, shoulder pounds of camera and ski gear, and head to the tram to climb to 10,000 feet before skiing down to your shooting location. You’ve been patiently waiting through the weather window, wondering if snow will show up and set things in motion. It’s finally all happening. Equal parts nerves and excitement rush through you as you embark on a massive day navigating the uncertainty, exhilaration, and inspiration that define Kings and Queens of Corbet’s.

Among the early tram rides is the camera operations team — a tight-knit mix of Teton locals preparing to capture the day from every angle. Led by Ben Dann, the crew works in close coordination with the live broadcast team, while Mountain Operations, marketing and partnerships staff, sponsors, and the athletes all make their way up together, skis knocking against boots and radios crackling in the cold morning air.

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Weather is always part of the equation at Corbet’s. Clouds drift in and out of the venue, shifting light across the couloir and keeping both athletes and camera crews adaptable throughout the day. During the live event, Ben is primarily focused on operating the camera on the drone, working in close coordination with the pilot while staying in constant communication with the live production team as conditions evolve. Cold, wind, and moisture test both equipment and timing, making steady communication and flexibility essential across the entire crew.

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While the event has evolved through several production formats over the past seven years, audiences continue to tune in from around the world. Again in 2026, the teams worked together to capture the event for live broadcast coverage on YouTube.

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Leading the broader live production effort is Action Sports Broadcast Producer Rima Rackauskas, whose experience across multiple action sports helps shape the event’s overall approach. While she supported coordination earlier in the production window, the live broadcast team on site works together to execute coverage in real time. Working alongside the live crew, Ben leads the camera operations team, helping ensure the visual coverage stays cohesive across every angle of the mountain.

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For Ben Dann, mornings like this aren’t just part of the job — they’re a continuation of a lifelong connection to the mountain.

MEET: B Dann

Raised in Wilson, Ben watched the creative community in town develop firsthand throughout his childhood and adult years. He remembers watching TGR ski films screened on the old tram dock during fall snowstorms, feeling the first hint of a desire to be part of that world. Once Ben started bringing a camera along on his own adventures, he realized the potential he had yet to unlock. From cutting his teeth kayaking and skiing across the West and beyond to eventually making his way back to the mountains, Ben has grown into a multifaceted, adventure-driven athlete and filmmaker.

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With more than a decade of experience as a cinematographer and Director of Photography, Ben has built an impressive portfolio over the years. From working on annual films at Teton Gravity Research to exploring remote corners of the world through the camera on series such as HBO’s Edge of the Earth, Ben has honed a diverse skillset grounded in both technical precision and storytelling.

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At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Ben has worked closely with the marketing team over the years, creating compelling stories that help define the voice of the mountain. Through projects like Pierre and The Crow’s Nest, Ben has come full circle with the place that shaped him. For a mountain that played such a formative role in his early years, Ben is honored and grateful for the opportunity to now help tell authentic stories rooted in the place he calls home.

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Once Ben began working on Kings and Queens of Corbet’s, his journey felt even more closely aligned with his childhood roots in the village. Ben shares, “My dad had me skiing off the tram at five before I could even read the signs. By the time I was seven years old, I was jumping into Corbets.” Beyond Corbets, Ben was an active participant in JHMR’s racing program and spent his early years learning the ins and outs of every trail. With extensive exposure to the mountain’s terrain, Ben developed an intimate understanding of both the risks and rewards that come with working in this environment — and the realities of executing a production at this level.

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Since Kings and Queens launched in 2018, Ben began his involvement with the event as a camera operator. Over time, he has grown into a cornerstone member of the production — coordinating multiple cameras and aerial coverage, recruiting local talent, and managing boots-on-the-ground logistics. In 2021, Ben stepped into leading physical production. Rima shares, “As the event has evolved over the years, Ben is one of the folks who we couldn’t do it without. He is irreplaceable.”

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Dropping In: On The Ground Production

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What distinguishes Kings and Queens from other events is its collaborative, grassroots approach to executing a high-level live production with the help of local hands.

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There’s no pause button on a live event — every decision happens in real time.

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While the event could be positioned as cutthroat — for both athletes and production professionals — Ben and Rima both shared that it feels far more like a family effort, where local talent comes together to work hard and pull off a feat many would not even dare to consider. Every year, Ben taps deeply into the local community, bringing together top talent and equipment to make the event possible.

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Since first getting involved with Kings and Queens, Rima has witnessed the incredible blood, sweat, and tears this small but mighty crew pours into the event. As the production has moved through shifting sponsors and organizational changes, the team has kept the wheels turning — and thriving. For a day that leans into type-two fun, participants often point to the intense camaraderie and bonding that forms through the experience. Rima shares, “It’s a day where the highs are high, and the lows are very low. But there are so many moments within the worst day that make it the best day.”

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No matter what the event throws at them, Rima says Ben keeps the energy incredibly positive with an even-keeled demeanor. Inclement weather, changing conditions, injuries — uncertainty is built into the event’s core. Rima expands, “Managing people and operating cameras and drones simultaneously is anything but easy. Ben seamlessly multitasks without flinching.” It’s Ben’s adaptable mindset and broad skillset that keep the gears turning.

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To Ben, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is more than just a place to work — it’s home. For that reason, he feels honored to help uphold the success and integrity of the event year after year.

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Celebrating the People Behind the Stories

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Kings and Queens of Corbet’s stands out for the opportunities it creates — bringing together athletes, filmmakers, and production professionals willing to work hard and support each other. The only requirement? Grit, resilience, and a willingness to collaborate.

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Kings and Queens is one example of how Jackson’s local community steps up time and time again to make it happen. The relationships between athletes, the production team, and the dedicated resort staff are what continue to draw new talent and voices into the mix. To Ben, one of the greatest challenges of building a creative production community in Jackson is helping the broader industry recognize that the talent pool here is already deep and rich with experience.

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At Out In Space Studios, we’re proud to continue sharing stories of local creatives pushing their craft forward while strengthening the community around them.

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Congratulations to the incredible athletes who competed, a huge shoutout to the resort team for keeping everyone safe, and a big congratulations to Ben and the entire production crew.

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Rima and Ben — thank you for sharing your time, energy, and stories with us.

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