We were lucky enough to go experience Mt. 12Skii before it was opened to the public and it did not disappoint in the least. Mt. 12SkiiI is a collaboration between Nike Basketball and SNKRS during NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City. This larger-than-life monument is a tribute to Ja Morant’s hard work and humble beginnings – as well as a showcase for his new signature footwear, the Nike Ja 1, which will be dispensed via an ice luge for an elevated purchase experience and content capture moment.
Taking inspiration from Ja’s self-titled nickname 12Skii, the icy Nike pop-up is constructed in the shape of a Nike Ja 1, the Nike Ja 1 Box, a 12 Chain and a Grizzly head. The Nike team is bringing the energy of Ja all weekend long by featuring a full-size hyper-realistic Ja Morant replica in a block of frozen ice outside of the pop-up.
Inside, guests are treated to a unique ice museum experience, equipped with frozen artifact walls that feature items with special significance to Ja and the sport. At a cool 30 degrees (or colder), the space is completely built of ice and encourages consumers to explore as archeologists, excavating for insights.
The Nike Ja 1 is built for Nike Basketball’s first Gen Z signature athlete, Ja Morant. Designed for the next generation of playmakers, whom Morant represents, the shoe is constructed to keep players in control, maximize hang time, and reduce landing force through lockdown benefits.
Morant’s hands-on approach in the creative process shows up throughout several design elements on the Nike Ja 1. These details include personal handwritten notes across the colorways acknowledging his family, friends and community, who have affectionately become known as Team Morant. Nike designers also collaborated with Morant to create a signature light blue color, speaking to the blue-collar mentality that fuels him in everything he does.
Throughout All-Star Weekend, Mt. 12Skii is open to the public, featuring exclusive SNKRS drops, custom Ja Morant merchandise and Ja 1. Two Ja 1 colorways that have been seen in the space to date, include:
- SCRATCH: The “Scratch” color palette pays homage to the history of the Grizzlies. The sneaker’s turquoise base with black and red accents harken back to the team’s earliest seasons. The claw scratch graphic on the upper nods to Ja’s daily mentality of attacking every time he steps on the court and his aggressive style of play.
- MIDNIGHT: Work in the dark to shine in the light – inspired by the late-night workouts that helped 12 get to this stage. Swarovski crystals on the swoosh dance in the light for an added flare and as an ode to Ja Morant’s style off the court. The shoe also features a Ja logo hang tag, 12AM dubrae and glitter outsole with “IT’S 12AM SOMEWHERE” graphic.
To be able to see such a larger than life nod to what Ja has built and how his legacy will only continue to soar in heights, Nike x SNKRS truly executed this perfectly. It was a site that shined amidst NBA All-Star Weekend, where plenty those passing by, stopped by to take pictures and experience the capsule itself. We look forward to the next creative concoction Nike brings to life because this one surely set the bar.
