Steamboat
Epic! That word is spoken enthusiastically on powder days in Steamboat. My backcountry companions say it often; we can be a bit smug about our tele excursions into unofficial terrain like Way Right, Drunken Indian, Storm King and North Woods. But the truth is, Back in the Day, Loris and Buddy Werner and their friends had truly epic ski adventures. In the 1950s, they’d drive up Rabbit Ears to the top of Hogan Park Trail… before it was a marked Forest Service route. They’d put skins over their alpine skis and break trail all the way to what is now Morningside. That’s seven miles. Once there, they’d build a snow cave, light a fire and settle in for the night.
Epic! That word is spoken enthusiastically on powder days in Steamboat. My backcountry companions say it often; we can be a bit smug about our tele excursions into unofficial terrain like Way Right, Drunken Indian, Storm King and North Woods. But the truth is, Back in the Day, Loris and Buddy Werner and their friends had truly epic ski adventures. In the 1950s, they’d drive up Rabbit Ears to the top of Hogan Park Trail… before it was a marked Forest Service route. They’d put skins over their alpine skis and break trail all the way to what is now Morningside. That’s seven miles. Once there, they’d build a snow cave, light a fire and settle in for the night.
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story there with the godfather of ski films was<br />
a powerful moment. listen carefully to Miller’s<br />
voice in “The Movement” and you can hear tears<br />
welling up when he says, “people ask me who<br />
was the best skier i’ve ever filmed and i’ve told<br />
them: Traci Taylor.”<br />
Joining Taylor in the film are the most<br />
decorated male paralympic skier ever, chris<br />
Waddell; his mentor, Jim Martinson; and worldrecord<br />
holder for blind speed skiing, Mike May.<br />
This ensemble of sports heroes provides advice<br />
and encouragement to Rick Finkelstein, the<br />
central character in the film.<br />
paralyzed in a ski accident in 2004<br />
Finkelstein was considering a return to the very<br />
mountain where he’d been hurt. He even hoped<br />
he might learn to monoski (or “sit-ski”). as soon<br />
as he agreed to let us film this attempt, we lined<br />
up ace instructors and the latest equipment, but<br />
he would still face a monumental ordeal of body,<br />
mind, and ego.<br />
“i don’t want to make a complete fool<br />
of myself – and that’s a distinct possibility,”<br />
Finkelstein told me, just 16 days before filming.<br />
“i was a good skier and i haven’t done anything<br />
for seven years now. i’ve been through cancer<br />
and paraplegia; i’ve got a lot of pain still. and<br />
i’m 61. so i have a few things working against<br />
me.”<br />
Why bother? He just wanted a little bit of<br />
what Miller’s cameras have sought to capture for<br />
63 years: a feeling of freedom. in making “The<br />
Movement,” i, too, tried to capture that sense<br />
of exhilaration and empowerment. ultimately,<br />
i hoped to share those dream-like visions i had<br />
witnessed at steamboat’s all Mountain camp.<br />
i’m happy to report that the film has been<br />
well-received. it has taken me so much further<br />
than i ever dreamed: a premiere at sundance<br />
plus 20 other festivals, five awards and eligibility<br />
for an oscar® in 2013. it’s all mind-blowing<br />
and i’m completely humbled: not unlike the<br />
sensation i felt seeing a blind snowboarder and<br />
an airborne monoskier. n<br />
Vew “The Movement” on all Frontier<br />
Airlines airbus flights throughout November –<br />
or visit MakeAHero.org to learn more. Find and<br />
follow Greg I. Hamilton’s writing, including his<br />
forthcoming book, at TheMovementBook.org.<br />
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STEAMBoAT MAGAZinE | SKI SEASON 2012/13 | 61
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