Kimmy Fasani and Chris Benchetler Lead Fourth of July Parade

The two also helped install a community canvas, featuring artwork by Benchetler that was painted in by the children of Mammoth Lakes.

“We're honored and so excited to have Chris Benchetler & Kimmy Fasani as this year's Grand Marshals–two people who truly embody the spirit of Mammoth Lakes,” the chamber of commerce said on its website. “This year's parade theme will be centered around art and nature ... celebrating what makes Mammoth Lakes so unique.”

The honor adds to what has been a monumental year for the professional skier and snowboarder and their family. In March, a documentary titled Butterfly in a Blizzard was released. The film is a personal look at Fasani’s journey into motherhood and how she balanced that along with being a professional snowboarder. It then ventures into all of the blizzards that she ran into along the way: childhood trauma, health scares involving her children, relationship struggles, and her cancer diagnosis.

Fasani was the executive producer of the film. It is co-directed and edited by Rose Corr and Tyler Hamlet, and features music from Kaki King. The group had two advanced screenings: one at the Big Sky Film Festival and another at the Arc’teryx Academy Mammoth in the fall. The film is available to watch via Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and Sling.

Meanwhile, Benchetler has a video project of his own that’s set to debut in the fall of 2025, Mountains of the Moon. There aren’t a lot of details available to the public as of right now, but Benchetler and company have released a YouTube mini series dubbed Ship of Fools, which has been documenting the 18 months of work that went into making the film a reality.

“This series pulls back the curtain on the unrefined and experimental spirit behind the film, blending artistic expression, skiing, and rock-and-roll culture,” Benchetler said in an episode of the series. “With each episode, we invite people in to watch along as we navigate the challenges and breakthroughs that make this a truly unique experience."