Backcountry Film Festival is December 17 in Nevada City (video)

Winter is full of ups and downs so why not celebrate winter and embrace the UP? It’s time to dust off the skis, pull on your parka, grab your ski buddies, and celebrate the fun and beauty of winter at the Ninth Annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival.

The ten unique films included in this year’s Backcountry Film Festival will inspire you to embrace the UP. The Backcountry Film Festival screens in Nevada City at the Nevada Theatre on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. The event is a benefit for nonprofit Snowlands Network.

The films come from renowned filmmakers who search backcountry corners across the globe to submit their best work, and from grassroots filmmakers who take a video camera out on their weekend excursions and submit their best films.

The festival was created in 2004 to highlight efforts to preserve and promote winter landscapes for human-powered users. From a single showing in Boise that first year, the festival has grown to include showings in locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas to Antarctica, Europe, Australia and Asia. Funds raised stay in local communities to support like- minded, human-powered recreation efforts and to raise awareness of winter management issues, avalanche training/safety and winter education programs.

This year’s program includes:
•Valhalla from Sweetgrass Productions and winner of the 2013 “Best of Festival,” is the tale of one man’s search to rediscover the freedom of his youth. Feeling the distant heat of it’s fire still burning in the mountains of the frozen north, he sets out in search of those tending the flame—the untamed, the wild, and the outcast dwelling on the fringe.

•Trail Break by Powderwhore is a beautiful black and white portrait of deep powder
skiing.

•Morning Rituals, is 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.

•Bolton Valley is the story of how a small community fought to save their beloved ski area. Winner of “Best Conservation Film” award.

•Nokhoi Zeekh: In search of the Wolverine. 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.

•In 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. Winner of “Best Short Film” award.

•From filmmaker and storyteller Fitz Cahall at Duct Tape then Beer comes Strong. Capturing 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.

•From filmmaker Jason Thompson comes Take the Ride, asking the question; “when you have a dream will you buy the ticket? Will you Take the Ride?” We encourage you to buy your ticket and take the ride!

Come embrace the UP with Winter Wildlands Ninth Annual Backcountry Film Festival.

The Nevada Theatre is located at 401 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA, 95959. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the films kick off at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Mountain Recreation or BriarPatch for $10 in advance, or at the door for $12.

About Snowlands Network
Snowlands Network is an organization dedicated to promoting human-powered winter recreation and protecting winter wildlands in California and Nevada. Focused on sustainable winter recreation, the Nevada City, CA based non-profit is committed to representing the growing community of backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers. For more information on Snowlands Network, please visit Snowlands.org.

—By Backcountry Film Festival

(Photo: Peter Sturges, Otter Bar Lodge)