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We have to spell the Powderhoar’s name a bit off from the official text, because I don’t want to risk this website being blocked for adult content. But that’s my only gripe about their new ski flick, PW06.
They say laughter heals in miraculous fashion — if so brothers and sisters, I be healed! This is truly a funny ski flick. I kept chuckling as our tiny home theatre presented everything from the legendary Bob Athey whining about going uphill (according to the Wiz, it’s only worth it because of the down) to an excellent free-heel jibbing sequence that shows athletic excellence while looking just plain fun. On top of that, you get the latest installment of Masterpiste Theatre, that special production that presents Andrew McLean in his element, sniffing brandy, smoking a pipe and lecturing on body ripping descents that you too can try (though according to Andrew, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, you might want to be skiing free heel so you can blame failure “on your telemark gear.”) The flick is literary as well, with amusing text quotes sprinkled between the ski sequences, our favorite of course being “to err is human — to err often is to telemark.”
That said, PW06 gives us inerrant mind blowing footie of Nick DeVore, who I believe is hands down the best telemarker on the planet, as well as sequence presenting other greats such as Will Cardamone and Max Mancini. These guys show that telemark equipment and technique have evolved to the point of near total parity with alpine gear. I’m still of the opinion (here it comes, Lou’s tele bash) that free heel will never be quite as powerful or efficient as fixed heel, but it sure comes close these days, and works for good athletes who make the commitment. (Though I have to admit to wondering what DeVore could do on big skis and big boots with a fixed heel — but hey, the kid is beautiful to watch so whatever.)
In all, PW06 took me back to being 14 years old and playing in the mountains — and yes Virginia, old Lou did indeed do some of that playing on tele gear, so there. Good stuff — enjoy.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
