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WINNER: WFF21 MOUNTAIN CULTURE AWARD presented by Whistler Blackcomb.
In the early 1980s, the Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol were the undisputed gods of winter in the mountain hamlet of Tahoe City, California, a sun-drenched wonderland of endless powder and parties. This sundry crew full of youthful hubris and a zest for explosives were led by a newly minted avalanche forecaster named Jim Plehn.
During an unprecedented snow storm in March 1982, the mountain closed due to high avalanche danger with only a skeleton operations crew and a few guests on hand. Despite continuous avalanche control, a slide of unforeseeable magnitude broke free. Millions of pounds of snow hurtled down the side of the mountain, demolishing the resort’s base lodge and burying the parking lot. The wreckage was unimaginable, a worst-case nightmare scenario, especially for Jim. But for the shell-shocked patrol team, there was no time to dwell. Seven missing victims were buried in the slide - co-workers, friends, family - and every passing second was precious. Over the next five days, through an unrelenting storm and unimaginable tragedy, the rescue team persevered.
Innocence was lost, mortality faced, Mother Nature reckoned with, but they never gave up hope for a miracle through it all. Mimicking the palm-sweating suspense exemplified by WFF18 hit FREE SOLO, filmmakers Jared Drake and Steven Siig have set up the premise for one of the most exhilarating features of the year. Anyone with backcountry experience or an interest in snow science will be truly fascinated by the events that unfold.
In the early 1980s, the Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol were the undisputed gods of winter in the mountain hamlet of Tahoe City, California, a sun-drenched wonderland of endless powder and parties. This sundry crew full of youthful hubris and a zest for explosives were led by a newly minted avalanche forecaster named Jim Plehn.
During an unprecedented snow storm in March 1982, the mountain closed due to high avalanche danger with only a skeleton operations crew and a few guests on hand. Despite continuous avalanche control, a slide of unforeseeable magnitude broke free. Millions of pounds of snow hurtled down the side of the mountain, demolishing the resort’s base lodge and burying the parking lot. The wreckage was unimaginable, a worst-case nightmare scenario, especially for Jim. But for the shell-shocked patrol team, there was no time to dwell. Seven missing victims were buried in the slide - co-workers, friends, family - and every passing second was precious. Over the next five days, through an unrelenting storm and unimaginable tragedy, the rescue team persevered.
Innocence was lost, mortality faced, Mother Nature reckoned with, but they never gave up hope for a miracle through it all. Mimicking the palm-sweating suspense exemplified by WFF18 hit FREE SOLO, filmmakers Jared Drake and Steven Siig have set up the premise for one of the most exhilarating features of the year. Anyone with backcountry experience or an interest in snow science will be truly fascinated by the events that unfold.
- Year2021
- Runtime100 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- RatingPG-Trigger warning for anyone who may have been in an avalanche.
- DirectorJared Drake, Steven Siig
- ScreenwriterSteven Siig, Jared Drake
- ProducerJared Drake, Steven Siig
- Executive ProducerEvan Hayes, Mark Gogolewski , Michael Sugar , David Hillman, Shannon Houchins
- CastJim Plehn
- CinematographerTom Day
- EditorMatthew Mercer
- ComposerJulian Scherle
1 film in package
This virtual screening is eligible for audience awards! Unlock it to cast your vote.
Protected ContentThis content can only be viewed in authorized regions: Canada.
WINNER: WFF21 MOUNTAIN CULTURE AWARD presented by Whistler Blackcomb.
In the early 1980s, the Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol were the undisputed gods of winter in the mountain hamlet of Tahoe City, California, a sun-drenched wonderland of endless powder and parties. This sundry crew full of youthful hubris and a zest for explosives were led by a newly minted avalanche forecaster named Jim Plehn.
During an unprecedented snow storm in March 1982, the mountain closed due to high avalanche danger with only a skeleton operations crew and a few guests on hand. Despite continuous avalanche control, a slide of unforeseeable magnitude broke free. Millions of pounds of snow hurtled down the side of the mountain, demolishing the resort’s base lodge and burying the parking lot. The wreckage was unimaginable, a worst-case nightmare scenario, especially for Jim. But for the shell-shocked patrol team, there was no time to dwell. Seven missing victims were buried in the slide - co-workers, friends, family - and every passing second was precious. Over the next five days, through an unrelenting storm and unimaginable tragedy, the rescue team persevered.
Innocence was lost, mortality faced, Mother Nature reckoned with, but they never gave up hope for a miracle through it all. Mimicking the palm-sweating suspense exemplified by WFF18 hit FREE SOLO, filmmakers Jared Drake and Steven Siig have set up the premise for one of the most exhilarating features of the year. Anyone with backcountry experience or an interest in snow science will be truly fascinated by the events that unfold.
In the early 1980s, the Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol were the undisputed gods of winter in the mountain hamlet of Tahoe City, California, a sun-drenched wonderland of endless powder and parties. This sundry crew full of youthful hubris and a zest for explosives were led by a newly minted avalanche forecaster named Jim Plehn.
During an unprecedented snow storm in March 1982, the mountain closed due to high avalanche danger with only a skeleton operations crew and a few guests on hand. Despite continuous avalanche control, a slide of unforeseeable magnitude broke free. Millions of pounds of snow hurtled down the side of the mountain, demolishing the resort’s base lodge and burying the parking lot. The wreckage was unimaginable, a worst-case nightmare scenario, especially for Jim. But for the shell-shocked patrol team, there was no time to dwell. Seven missing victims were buried in the slide - co-workers, friends, family - and every passing second was precious. Over the next five days, through an unrelenting storm and unimaginable tragedy, the rescue team persevered.
Innocence was lost, mortality faced, Mother Nature reckoned with, but they never gave up hope for a miracle through it all. Mimicking the palm-sweating suspense exemplified by WFF18 hit FREE SOLO, filmmakers Jared Drake and Steven Siig have set up the premise for one of the most exhilarating features of the year. Anyone with backcountry experience or an interest in snow science will be truly fascinated by the events that unfold.
- Year2021
- Runtime100 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- RatingPG-Trigger warning for anyone who may have been in an avalanche.
- DirectorJared Drake, Steven Siig
- ScreenwriterSteven Siig, Jared Drake
- ProducerJared Drake, Steven Siig
- Executive ProducerEvan Hayes, Mark Gogolewski , Michael Sugar , David Hillman, Shannon Houchins
- CastJim Plehn
- CinematographerTom Day
- EditorMatthew Mercer
- ComposerJulian Scherle
