Every now and then a small film is made that makes you reconsider everything you are doing in your life and want to move to (or in many cases like mine, back to) the mountains.

This is an awesome 3 part series called Skiers Journey and it follows four skiers across the world as they endulge in some of the world most pristine winter playgrounds.

Here are the first two installments-

Part I- Kashmir, India

Part II-La Grave, France

(p.s.- love this place and the music in this segment is so sick!)

Well what can I say, “I have the madness.” I have heard of Moosejaw before of course, anyone worth their salt at an outdoor activity has perused the site, but i had never really experienced what they had to offer until my recent purchase.

For those of you who don’t know what Moosejaw is, simply put its a company. Its a company that has a very distinct following or die hard fans and a very distinct vibe to it and I must say I dig it. It’s just a great group of people, all brought together by their passion for the outdoors, an active lifestyle and good gear.

From a consumer standpoint their great because they carry a lot of the high quality stuff that you won’t find at a Dick’s sporting goods. Me personally I am an Arc’Teryx freak and don’t wear anything else because….why would I, so its a great place to for those types of items. But more than that it is the community and the vibe surrounding the company.

Now I admit, to the layman, selling a disposable plastic shaver and a can of sardines next to $400 jackets does not make much sense or is not really funny, but give it some time. The subtle humor on the site and in their advertising is well placed and really funny at least to me. The customer service is top notch, the customer experience is top notch and the gear is top notch, so I dig it, and no I am not getting paid hype them up, just figured I would write about it as I rarely am impressed by a shopping experience. The pics on this page are from my recent order.

So let me hear your thoughts, who do you buy your gear from, are they legit, hows the customer service, who do you recommend and any other comments relating to buying gear as its that time of year folks.

talk soon,

mat

P.S.- Santa came early this year, and brought me a Arc’ Teryx Hercules Hoody….Sick! (but that SOB used my CC to order it)

Well, about a week ago, it was that time of year again. The time of year you long to hear the phrase “So pack up your belongings and move to ___________ because if you don’t do it this year, you’ll be one year older….when you do.” Man I miss hearing those words and although I live in San Diego now and surf more than I ski, I still long for the mountains every year starting in September and by the time October rolls around, I typically already have my tickets to the New Warren Miller Movie. This year its called Dynasty!

Warren Milers Dynasty

As with all Warren Miller films, you are taken on a trip across the globe, watching some of the worlds best skiers rip it up in waste deep powder getting face shots that make you shift in your seat.  But what you can’t get from watching Warren Miller Dynasty at home on DVD is the experience of seeing on at a screening.  The vibe and energy at a screening itself is what gives the films so much power I believe.  200 people all on the edge of their seat, breathing heavy, excited and all thinking the same thing “I gotta get out there.”  Ha its a great experience.  I took my girlfriend to the screening this year and she loved it so looks like you got another lifer Warren.

As far as the actual film goes, its good.  Not the best Warren Miller I have ever seen (personally I like Freeriders) but its definitely good.  What is very cool about it is that it has old 1950-60’s ski footage mixed in and interlaced throughout the film so that adds an element of yesteryear and some nostalgia to the film and I like that.  The first half of the movie to me was much more interesting and some of the sit ski racers now are just unreal.  Northern China was cool to see as well in the annual Chris Anthony segment and the footage from the Alps in Norway was pretty unreal as well.

All in all its a must see and do try to see it when it comes to your town.

Thanks Warren for 60 Years of making a lot of people happy.

Man, I gotta get out there……

Wow,

I just finished watching Steep and I can absolutely say that it is a soul skiers movie.  It is one of those movies that not only makes you want to go skiing, but also reassess your life to figure out where you went wrong and why you don’t ski 100+ days a year anymore.  Ha, to be more specific it makes you wonder why you ever even actually skied within the confines of a ski resort at all.

Steep Movie Cover

The journey starts with the epic first decent of the majestic Grand Teton in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  From there they proceed to embaress American skiing for awhile by the most ridiculous descents you have ever seen by pioneers Anselme Baud and Patrick Vallencant in the French Alps around Chamonix and Mount Blanc.  Great old footage from Europe makes you want to drop it all and head across the pond, Chamonix is truly magical and I place I still aspire to visit.

The movie also parallels the life of another pioneer, this time American, Doug Coombs.  If you have ever skied anything over 30 degrees, you know who Doug Coombs is and you have respect for him.  This is a great biography of his skiing life.  As the film continues to hop from mountain range to mountain range and time period to time period, you get a great understanding and view of the people who truly made the sport what it is today.  Folks like Glen Plake, Scott Schmidt, Erick Payota, Shane McConkey and of course my favorite Seth Morrison.

All in all its a great ski film, but not for those looking for the Warren Miller-esq type of light hearted segments.  No No, this movie is all about pushing it to the limits and the consequences that follow.

Good flick, thank you Sony Picture Classics and director Mark Obenhaus

You can watch the trailer here