Local filmmaker highlights realities of backcountry skiing in ‘We Are Not Experts’

Micah Robin Creative highlights the challenges associated with backcountry skiing, and how they’re often more memorable than the skiing itself

By Mario Carr EBS CONTRIBUTOR

On Thursday, Oct. 10, outside of the Roly Poly Coffee Co. on Broadway Avenue in Bozeman, local filmmaker Micah Robin hosted a free premiere of his short ski film, “We Are Not Experts.” The event featured beer from MAP Brewing, live music from local band “Signal Fire,” and raffle prizes including Baist Gloves vouchers, Montucky Cold Snacks swag, and two pairs of Volkl skis.

Roughly 200 people, Bridger and Big Sky enthusiasts alike, gathered in the gravel parking lot to watch the 15-minute film projected just after the sun went down. Viewers donned their puffy jackets and beanies, as temperatures dipped below 50 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool autumn evening. The breeze fluttered the projection screen throughout the film, creating a whimsical effect that matched the theme of the night. After the movie, attendees turned around to see the Northern Lights dancing over the Bridger Mountains.

One of the stars of the film, Johnny Egan, had worked with Robin, who grew up in Big Sky, on a bike-to-ski film called “Means to Ascend” that premiered in June 2021. When Egan and Robin set out to create “We Are Not Experts,” they sought to document five different backcountry ski spots in Montana. Like all backcountry skiers, Egan and Robin had lofty goals and ambitions that resulted in only one or two of these five outings actually going to plan. Over the course of the last two winter seasons, the two continued to pursue their goal to document these trips, bringing along a new friend to ski with each time.

“Whether you’re skiing in jeans at some podunk hill in South Carolina or Nebraska, or you’re here skiing Bridger or Big Sky, we’re all doing it for fun and it doesn’t always work out,” Egan said.

Spending time with friends is perhaps one of the greatest highlights of skiing in the eyes of Egan and Robin, and all the other local athletes in the film: Anna Fake, Sam Egan, Chase Samuels, Cole Herdman, Jake Burchmore and Nick Westfall. This ski movie featured zero gnarly Alaskan spines, and a fair amount of crusty turns, but nonetheless the crowd was loving it and left the premiere stoked for the upcoming winter season.

“I’ve had multiple people come up to me after the film saying, ‘You know, I finally felt represented in a ski movie,’” Robin said.

As Robin was editing footage from these seemingly foiled outings, he realized all of the great comedy that he had documented.

“I’ve always loved comedy… And skiing has always been about having fun and making fun of yourself, and never taking yourself too seriously,” he said.

Robin hopes to continue making films in the future that match the energy of “We Are Not Experts,” but isn’t ready to disclose any specific future projects. His 2024 film is now available on YouTube.