A little something to get your blood rushing for winter... a beautiful short film documenting the ski culture and mystique of one of the world's great big mountain backcountry ski destinations: La Grave, France. If you have 11 minutes (or even if you don't), watch this through—I think it is one of the best encapsulations of why there are those of us who choose long hikes and untamed terrain over the safety and ease of a resort any day.

Jordan Manley, Producer:

The second in a series of 3 ski-travel episodes (Ep1: Kashmir - A Skier's Journey / Ep3: Freshfield Icefield - A Skier's Journey), skiers Chad Sayers and Tobin Seagel continue their worldly winter journey arriving in La Grave, France - home to the Téléphérique La Grave-La Meije, a quirky yet stalwart cable car that transports skiers to 3200m, high in the Southern French Alps.

Here, the terrain is wild, unmarked, and unpatrolled - a stripped down, raw version of big mountain skiing. With 2km of vertical drop, a simple ski run journeys through a labyrinth of glaciers, couloirs, and forest glades. Local freerider Bruno Florit, and UIAGM mountain guide Joe Vallone share how unique and special La Grave is, but also reveal the respect a skier must have for the mountain when in search of such deep rewards.

Presented by Gore-tex and Arcteryx.com

Production - Jordan Manley
Skiers - Chad Sayers, Chad Manley, Tobin Seagel, and Jordan Manley (POV)
Narration - Chad Sayers, Bruno Florit, and Joe Vallone
Animation - Chad Manley
Music - "Comme des enfants (Le Matos Remix)" and "Fondu au noir" by Cœur de pirate
"Moth" by Brian Borcherdt
Audio post-production - Marlowe Northcott
Special thanks to Michel Morere, Téléphérique La Grave-La Meije

Kashmir: A Skier's Journey Ep1 vimeo.com/​13085385