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The magic is in the draw
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Published
12 years agoon
Three days in B.C. with Sweetgrass Productions
By Max Lowe Explorebigsky.com Contributor
NELSON, British Columbia – It is a privilege to do what you love and to go places that awe and inspire you, and call it work.
This crossed my mind as I looked out over the roots of clouds meandering up the troughs of the Selkirk Mountains, ablaze with the radiant glow of the setting sun. As the last feathers of light fell and cold darkness settled in the valley below, we switched on our headlamps for the descent to the small base area of Whitewater Resort, outside of Nelson, British Columbia.
I had just spent three days photographing with Sweetgrass Productions, and during that time I learned again why I throw myself at this lifestyle with ardor. It’s a life of uncertainty: never knowing where you might find yourself in a month’s time; a life of couch living and solo driving; of taking risks that might not pay off but will produce something fulfilling.
__________
Darkness fell as we first entered the outskirts of Nelson, recently dubbed by Powder magazine’s readers as the best ski town in North America (a sore subject for some of us Bozemanites – we were runner up).
Nelson is home base for Sweetgrass’s team of athletes and artists. The crew sits deep within the methodology during the second year working on their forthcoming film, “Valhalla.” The name, which in Norse mythology means ‘hall of the gods’, is a call to Valhalla National Park, which surrounds Nelson. There, the unremitting snow and grandiose landscape forges a liking to that of the Norse realm.
White pillows of powder became our canvas, as athletes Johan Jonsson, Molly Baker, CJ Carter and David “Powder” Steele, romped through the destructible sweep. The snow in British Colombia is heavier than in Montana, and with this quality it prevails on the landscape and creates a surreal feeling of heaven on Earth. On these snow ghosts we cast our troupe of performers.
But movie magic lives in ski films as in any motion picture. An hour-long film with tantalizing visuals and captivating stories takes months, even years of work, painstakingly perfected shot by shot, word by word. So much effort and insight goes into each shoot, but many have small likelihood of being included in the final film – this, to me, shows insurmountable dedication to the bigger picture.
The process, passion for the sport and craft, and the feeling you get watching people enjoy something I’ve had a hand in is the draw. Even my part in the film, which in the end will be but a side note, brings a glow to my doggedness.
When trees shrouded in white light began to smolder that final afternoon, I thought about how traveling to this place and returning with images to share made it all worth it.
The folks at Sweetgrass, striving to capture the imagination of a waiting congregation, had found a setting out of legend. “Valhalla,” the film, will bring its viewers indeed to a place of dreams.
Find more of Max Lowe’s work at maxlowemedia.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
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July 29 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 7 (Monday) 6:00 pm
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Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
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Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
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August 5 (Monday) 9:00 am - October 7 (Monday) 12:00 pm
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
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August 5 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 14 (Monday) 6:00 pm
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Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
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Len Hill Park