The official 2023 Wild Rye guide to ski films

Listen up, mountain towns! It's that time of year when we trade our Chacos for Blundstones and our morning cold brew for a thermos of cocoa spiked with courage. Yes—it's ski film season, and boy howdy, are we ready to run headfirst into the glorious chaos! Not only is this the best time of year, it’s also your friendly seasonal reminder to do a few more box jumps, put fresh batteries in your beacon and call up your “winter friends” to get some hut trips on the books. Ski season is coming whether you’re ready or not, so you might as well pull out your puffys and hop on board. 

To set the scene: the mountains are dressed in their finest white, skiers donn outfits artfully mixing the runway and a loving (and outdoorsy) grandfather's closet, and there’s enough adrenaline to power a rocket. It's like Christmas morning, but with way cooler toys and even more knit sweaters. 

We get it, life is busy; you have your hands full and there's only so much time to spare. Scrolling Instagram, trawling the internet, and sorting through local bulletin boards for which of this year's ski movies you want to see is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Lucky for you, we've done the dirty work and handpicked the movies that we’re most excited to see on the big screen this year and compiled them right here.

The official 2023 Wild Rye guide to ski film teasers lies ahead.

Advice for Girls: “Advice for Girls” puts a spotlight on the collective experience of women in the ski industry. The film highlights skiers across generations – from women who hold first descents to young skiers ready to make their mark on the slopes.

 ***buy your tickets for the Sun Valley A4G premier!***

 

People Like Us: One of the most important ski films this fall, “People Like Us,” follows Ryan Collins as he connects with the queer community of Revelstoke, seeking stories and understanding nuanced relationships with mountain culture to build perspective into what it is like to be queer in a rural setting.

 

 

Here, Hold My Kid: Pulling from real-life struggles in the ski industry, this comedic and heartfelt film is a star of the season. With Jackie Paaso and Elyse Saugstad taking center stage, these freeride stars / new mothers must compete for a single sponsorship spot.

 

 

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Renaissance Woman: Skier, biker & general good-time-haver AJ Cutler is releasing her first ever ski film this season. In "Renaissance Woman" Cutler explore the different facets of skiing she loves...with the people she loves. Cutler and her crew never fail to deliver the fun, so we can't wait to watch this one!

 

 

 

CON ARTIST || (Official Trailer) from MBG on Vimeo. 

Con Artist: Bozeman-based group Milk Box Girls coming at you with a cinematic wonder. See Addison Rafford, Josie Petersen and Ella Meade in ‘Con Artist’ on the Level 1 Freeski Film Tour.

 

 

The Land of Giants: Matchstick Productions is shifting the focus to the mountains, specifically the biggest mountain ranges on Earth. With an unreal lineup of skiers (like our favorite local shredder, Lucy Sackbauer!) and locations, this one is sure to be a hit.

 

 

Brap Ski 3: Karl and crew are back for an even rowdier round 3 and we’re here for it.

  

 

Mountain in My Mind 2: Tragedy into Triumph: This film handles a difficult but necessary subject with the utmost grace. ‘Mountain in My Mind 2’ aims to destigmatize conversations around mental health and suicide in the ski industry.

 

 

Legend Has It: TGR is back with anther ski movie stacked with legendary riders and legendary locations.

 

 

Flying High Again: We had to throw at least one in for the snowboarders out there.  

 

 

Fortune Hunters: When it comes to snow, it’s all about timing. It seems safe to say that the Blank Collective crew had some stellar timing this year. They kick it off with massive lines, blower snow, and a hell of a time with friends. It doesn't get any better than that!

 

 

 Abstract: As Faction’s fourth feature film (alliteration much?) ‘Abstract’ is all about finding and expressing personal creativity through skiing. This film has one of the most stacked lineups of skiers you’ll ever see. 

 

 

Terra Incognita: ‘Terra Incognita’ follows freeride legend Craig Murray as he seeks out first descents in remote parts of New Zealand. This one has moments for the explorer AND the horse lover in your life.

 

And with that, let's get our snow dances on!