Originally know as a mining town, Telluride is now known for its ski resort and year-round festivals. It has further evolved over the past 30 years and now serves as the backdrop and has been featured prominently in movies. Being home to an international film festival, Telluride is popularly known and adored by industry insiders and Hollywood elite. Although, it is most beloved by the ski film industry, which has experienced a major shift in recent years.
It used to be mostly “ski porn,” repetitive footage of skiers and boarders catching air or charging down difficult terrain, set to pulsating, loud music. Lately, a transformation has started where ski films have been elevated to a cinematic art form.
Two recent releases that serve as great examples of this new school of ski films are:
- Solitaire, Sweetgrass Production/Nick Waggoner’s latest film, which has been earning critical praise and lots of awards and recognition for its beautiful portrayal of backcountry skiing.
- The Art of Flight, by extreme snow boarder Travis Rice and director Curt Morgan, hits more mainstream by telling great ski stories - like when snowboarders had to dive into icy waters high in the Andes of South America to reach their helicopter before it ran out of fuel to fly them out.
This week, The Sheridan Arts Foundation, Telluride Historical Museum and Travis Julia presented Super Cut: 39 Years of Telluride in Ski Movies. This compilation film featured clips of Telluride ski film footage from a variety of a major films produced over the 39 years of resort history. The film, which was compiled by Telluride local Dean Rolley, also featured commercials shot in and around the Telluride area.
It used to be mostly “ski porn,” repetitive footage of skiers and boarders catching air or charging down difficult terrain, set to pulsating, loud music. Lately, a transformation has started where ski films have been elevated to a cinematic art form.
Two recent releases that serve as great examples of this new school of ski films are:
- Solitaire, Sweetgrass Production/Nick Waggoner’s latest film, which has been earning critical praise and lots of awards and recognition for its beautiful portrayal of backcountry skiing.
- The Art of Flight, by extreme snow boarder Travis Rice and director Curt Morgan, hits more mainstream by telling great ski stories - like when snowboarders had to dive into icy waters high in the Andes of South America to reach their helicopter before it ran out of fuel to fly them out.
This week, The Sheridan Arts Foundation, Telluride Historical Museum and Travis Julia presented Super Cut: 39 Years of Telluride in Ski Movies. This compilation film featured clips of Telluride ski film footage from a variety of a major films produced over the 39 years of resort history. The film, which was compiled by Telluride local Dean Rolley, also featured commercials shot in and around the Telluride area.
Through film and other cultural outlets, Telluride has had a notable effect on pop culture. Film's creative and emotional pulse has helped expose Telluride and its beautiful story to everyone who enjoys beautiful terrain, sunshine, and cultural festivals. No longer is it only for ski bums.
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