There’s a purity in “earning your turns” and more people are backcountry skiing than ever before. In fact, ski touring off the beaten path has blown up so much that entire films are being made on the subject. Enter the Backcountry Film Festival. Celebrating the Human Powered Experience, this year’s event will feature ten new films designed to “inspire you to embrace the UP.”
This year’s festival is making its third stop in Utah at Park City on Thursday, March 6th at 7:00pm at the Jim Santy Auditorium. The Winter Wildland’s Alliance is presenting the festival. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds collected from the event will go to support the Wasatch Backcountry Alliance.
Here’s the festival lineup:
Best of Festival: Valhalla from Sweetgrass Productions is the tale of one man’s search to rediscover the freedom of his youth.
Best Conservation Film: Bolton Valley from Red Reel Production is the story of how a small community fought to save their beloved ski area.
Best Short: Bigger, Braver. Filmmaker Luc Mehl turns the camera on a young female athlete who shares her insight into the courage and strength involved in seeking big mountain adventure.
Other films include:
“Trail Break” from Powderwhore – a beautiful black and white portrait of deep powder skiing.
“Morning Rituals” – a day in the life of an undercover ski bum. Presented by Chris Dickey of Orange and Purple.
“Youth” – from filmmaker Corey Rich, inspires us to pack up the kids and proves that backcountry skiing is a family affair.
“Nokhoi Zeekh” – In search of the Wolverine, from filmmaker Forrest McCarthy. Five Americans set off on a month-long ski expedition through northern Mongolia to document one of the world’s most iconic but least-known winter species
“Strong” – from filmmaker and storyteller Fitz Cahall at Duct Tape then Beer captures Roger Strong’s reflections about moving forward after a tragic avalanche.
“Poor Man’s Heli” – skier Antoine Boisselier thinks outside the skin track and comes up with a new and unique way to the top of the mountain. From Mike Douglas at Switchback Entertainment.
“Take the Ride” – from filmmakers Jason Thompson and Drew Stoecklein, asks, “When you have a dream will you buy the ticket, will you Take the Ride?”
2013 Winter Wildlands Alliance Back Country Film Festival Trailer from Backcountry Film Festival on Vimeo.
Now in its 9th year the festival aims to entertain while helping to raise funds and awareness for Winter Wildlands and like-minded partners. The Backcountry Film Festival premiered in Boise, Idaho and then travels to more than 100 locations worldwide. Along the way, the Backcountry Film Festival will be viewed by more than 20,000 outdoor enthusiasts and raise more than $110,000 each year for local organizations working on advocacy, snow safety, outdoor education and SnowSchool programs.
For more information on the Backcountry Film Festival and the tour please visit www.backcountryfilmfestival.org.