Winter Wildlands Alliance Presents: The 20th Annual Backcountry Film Festival

The Backcountry Film Festival, presented by Winter Wildlands Alliance, celebrates the power and spirit of humans in winter.

Since its inception, the festival has toured across states, countries—even Antarctica—screening hundreds of inspiring films that celebrate adventure, conservation, and the magic of winter. Over the years, the festival has raised millions of dollars to support local projects that strengthen winter communities and protect our wild snowscapes.

The 2024-25 winter season, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Backcountry Film Festival! This milestone year showcases a dynamic lineup of short documentaries and ski films that transport audiences straight to the heart of winter. Adventure, travel, ski culture, ice, pain, laughter, and DEEP POWDER—you’ll find it all as the festival brings these powerful stories to towns around the world.

Join us on tour and be part of a movement that combines art, outdoor culture, and grassroots action to celebrate and protect winter for generations to come. Let’s make the 20th season our BEST tour yet!

Tour Schedule

Host a Screening

Film Descriptions

SURVIVING OUR STORY

2024-25 Human Powered Film Grant Winner

24:33 minutes

By Connor Ryan and Isaiah Branch Boyle

For two skiers caught in back-to-back Colorado avalanches, surviving the accident is only the beginning of the journey to reclaim their lives and find their way back to the snow.

DRAWN IN

7:33 minutes

By Jessa Gilbert and Justin Taylor Smith

Artist Jessa Gilbert finds inspiration, lines in the snow, and a beginning at the bottom of the world.

A ROSE FOR ALL

6:00 minutes

By Chris Kitchen, KGB Productions

Half an hour from downtown Reno, Nevada, lies a public gateway to wild snow. But can we make room for everybody?

SVEN – A LIFE IN FRONT OF THE LENS

16:05 minutes

By Gabe Rovick, F4D Studio

Veteran cover boy Sven Brunso may just be the most photographed man in backcountry skiing. Will he ever give up?

THE GLIDE

Backcountry Film Festival Jury Award Winner (2024)

3:00 minutes

By Luc Mehl

After several close calls in avalanches, Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Alaska-based ambassador Luc Mehl wanted to explore some different terrain.

A LINE IN THE SNOW

14:02 minutes

By Ryan Rumpca, Manifested Moose Media

Professional arctic explorer Annie Aggens, her daughters and their four-legged friends go winter camping in the wilds of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.

THE POWER OF FOUR

7:33 minutes

By Forest Barton

Spandex, skinny skis, struggle and redemption in the headwaters of the Roaring Fork.

NOVELTY LINES

4:42 minutes

By Anthony Cupaiuolo, First Tracks Productions

Splitboarder Claire Hewitt-Demeyer pushes the limits of human-powered type 2 fun for a surprising first descent.

ON THIN SNOW

9:22 minutes

By Jonah Rafael and Kalef Steinberg

Avalanche scientist Brian Lazar digs into the increasingly variable snowpack in Colorado to see what climate change means for backcountry skiing.

NISEI

7:36 minutes

By Iz La Motte, Sierra Schlag

In the tension between her Japanese and American heritage, pro-skier Sierra Schlag finds graceful lines through deep powder.

SONG OF ICE

2:26 minutes

By Arthus Kauffeisen

A lyrical dance through frozen mountain landscapes with very earnest voiceover.

Tour Schedule
Host a Screening