For most skiers and riders the sound of Warren Miller’s
voice elicits a pavlovian response on par with the first robin of spring. It’s right up on the list with early season
snowfall and the hot-waxy smell from the back of a ski shop.
WM films always roll through just as or just before the
season is beginning to roll. Everyone is
pumped up to get out there and if they aren’t, they are ready to get pumped up
but just need a little help. Either way
you can’t beat a live screening. It’s
one part movie, one part rock concert and one part religious revival. Just as
there are no atheists in foxholes, it is near impossible to not get caught up
in the snowy excitement. The great cinematography really shines on the big
screen. The crowd adds irreplaceable
energy that magnifies the on-screen action to goose bump and adrenaline levels.
Throw in a little sage commentary from Warren himself: “Do it this year, or you’ll
be another year older when you do.” And you have snowsports version of the
do-it-for-the-gipper speech.
The result is a throng of disciples released onto the world,
full of energy, enthusiasm and big plans for a season fresh with possibility. That’s
hard to beat. WM’s latest is making
rounds now. Check out the WM Playground site. Take a look at the schedule BOYNE will be
attending/sponsoring some of the showings.
Not everyone holds WM films with such esteem. Far too many times at the ski shop I have
listened to a young heavily-pierced highly tatt’ed skier/rider dismiss WM films
in light of the new film companies out there.
You’ll get no argument from me that there are lots of other
great snow movie makers now. Matchstick
productions and Teton Gravity Research are a couple of can’t miss staples every
year. Some of those even have large
screenings that are worth checking out in person. That said, Warren Miller films
are classic and set the bar.
Sinatra and even the Beatles were loved but fell out of
favor with subsequent generations, only to be rediscovered and revered as classic
cool. Don’t limit yourself. If there is room on your Ipod for everyone,
maybe there’s room in your movie routine too.
We’ll see you out there.
-JJ
Warren Miller showings
Matchstick showings
TGR showings
