As you wait for another November weekend—and more November snows—to drop, we’ve got lots to keep you scrolling, including ski film news from Banff and Netflix, an art installation “on high”, and a long list of what’s new in Quebec for skiers this season. Here we go:
JACKSON HOLE FILM ‘FULL CIRCLE’ SCORES TOP PRIZE AT BANFF FEST
The film Full Circle has been named Grand Prize winner of the 2023 Banff Mountain Film Competition.
Described as an unblinking examination of the challenges of life after spinal cord injury, the film zooms in on sit-skier Trevor Kennison attempting a comeback at Jackson Hole’s Corbet’s Couloir. Directed by Josh Berman, the film asks if it’s possible for a person to experience a tragedy, to learn from it, grow from it, and turn it into a gift they offer to themselves and others.
“This film provides a raw and unapologetic look at the difficulty of reinventing oneself,” says festival jurist Sarah Steele. “It is a documentary that ‘goes there’, giving us hope and inspiration, but also making us deeply uncomfortable by introducing us to the difficult realities that come with paralysis.”
BURIED NOW STREAMING ON NETFLIX
And speaking of films, 2022’s Buried, The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche began streaming on Netflix this week. Described by iMDB as “a stressed autopsy of that fateful event,” the film digs through painful memories of the avalanche considered one of the worst in U.S. history. Seven people were killed—only one woman was rescued, with help from an avalanche dog. The Netflix deal “is exciting news for our big little movie,” film officials said this week on Facebook. “Our goal has always been to share this story with as wide of an audience as possible, and being on Netflix ensures that.”
ART GALLERY IN THE SKY
This week Vail Resorts launched The Gondola Gallery by Epic, an outdoor art installation and film series featuring original artwork on gondola cabins at Park City, Stowe and (this spring) Whistler-Blackcomb.
We’ve got more on this coming up in our next print edition, including visuals, but we can say that the art in the sky is a visual representation of the different ways skiers and snowboarders experience the mountains. They’re an invitation and a message of inclusion to all, says Vail. Artists include Lamont Joseph White, Jim Harris, Levi Nelson, and Chief Janice George and Buddy Joseph, A film series spotlighting each artist’s personal journey and artwork from concept to creation is now streaming on epicpass.com/gondolagallery.
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO QUEBEC SKI RESORTS
Quebec’s ski areas association has just published a laundry list of sparkly new stuff at ski areas in the eastern province for 2024. Here’s are the highlights:
Eastern Townships
- Improvements to Mont Orford’s snowmaking
- New loading carpet, new groomer, new snow guns and new pumping system at Mont Sutton
- Improvements to snow parks at Owl’s Head
- New lift, new lit trail and 17 new snow guns on Versant des Épinettes at Bromont, montagne d’expériences
Chaudière-Appalaches
- Opening of the new main chalet, new learning zone and new Coolbox accommodation at Mont Adstock
- New off-trail ski area and micro-cottage accommodation at Le Massif du Sud
Lanaudière
- New boutique and redesign of the chalet’s interior, new mountain bypass trail and new snow guns at Ski Garceau
- Several new trails, skating rink at the foot of the slopes and much more at Val Saint-Côme
Laurentians
- New glades at Vallée Bleue
- New loading carpet, new groomer and modernized snowmaking system at Mont Blanc
- New lift and new snow guns at Sommet Olympia
- Two new trails added at Mont Habitant
- RFID technology implementation at Tremblant
