Directed by: Steve Winter, Murray Weis, Scott Gaffney
Skiers: Markus Eder, Bobby Brown, Michelle Parker, Mark Abma, Tanner Rainville, Aaron Blunck, James Heim, Sean Jordan, PK Hunder, Alex Schlopy
Times change, just as each season gives way to the next. For passionate skiers around the globe, however, the time of year can never undermine the enthusiasm for their next great day on snow.
Regardless of weather, conditions, or the effort required to get there, “a bad day of skiing still beats a good day at work.” As summer eases into fall and fall eventually fades to winter, dreams of skiing occupy our minds and we focus all of our energy on returning to the mountains.
MSP Films, the production powerhouse behind MCCONKEY and DAYS OF MY YOUTH, is proud to present FADE TO WINTER.
Directed by: Steve Winter, Murray Weis, Scott Gaffney
Skiers: Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Eric Hjorleifson, Rory Bushfield, Henrik Windstedt, Cody Townsend, Jacob Wester, Ingrid Backstrom, Bobby Brown, Gus Kenworthy, Richard Permin, Colby West, James Heim, Callum Pettit, Alex Schlopy, Russ Henshaw, and Torin Yater-Wallace
“Attack of La Niña”, chronicles the deepest North American winter in recent history. This new film follows in the footsteps of “The Way I See It”, MSP’s 2010 release and the most decorated ski movie of all time.
“Attack of La Niña” showcases the talents of today’s best skiers in a journey through the snowiest winter of their lives. This action-packed film – captured using the most state of the art camera equipment available – demonstrates the limit of what is possible in modern freeskiing. Featuring super steep descents, unbelievably deep powder, and giant airs, “Attack of La Niña” will transport you to Colorado, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, California, and many other world-class destinations.
Skiers: Dane Tudor, Karl Fostvedt, Clayton Vila, Cam Riley, Banks Gilberti, Bobby Brown, Pep Fujas, Sean Jordan, Leigh Powis, Sean Pettit, Alex Schlopy, Joss Christensen, Bene Mayr, Paddy Graham, Sammy Carlson, Josh Stack, Charley Ager, Mike Henituck, Riley Leboe, Alexi Godbout, Joe Schuster
Skiers: Kyler Cooley, Ian Cosco, Dylan Natale, Mark Drerak, Mike Mertion, LJ Strenio, Gus Kenworthy, Derek Spong, Joe Schuster, Alex Schlopy, Joss Christensen, Bene Mayr, Fabio Studer, Cody Ling
Each fall a sense of anxiety creeps into the minds of skiers. As the weather cools we obsessively begin checking web cams, peering out windows and aimlessly driving up mountain roads in search of the first snow. When those first flakes hit the ground we grab our gear and head for the hills. Whether it’s setting up a rail at the base or hiking the trails before the chair spins, we’re just stoked to be back on the snow. Rage has always been about exposing the hottest up-and-coming stars and showcasing all aspects of freeskiing. This season was no different with new and veteran athletes working harder than ever to bring you the most progressive tricks from handrails to backcountry cliffs. We tactfully planned our season to camp out at select locations until everything was hit, new tricks were stomped and everyone was ready to move on. Freeskiing is as much about the kids skiing 200ft ski hills, as it is about tackling big mountain lines. That is why in producing this ski film we made sure to showcase the sport in all its diversity. Whether it’s a 6:00am hike on a two foot pow day in the Wasatch or a midnight rail session in Minnesota, our cinematographers were there capturing the moments.
Skiers: Tyson Bolduc, Max Mancini, David Lesh, Christian Allen, Ben Furmisky, Alex Schlopy, Aaron Estrada, Kiffor Berg, Chris Tatsuno, Jonny ‘Scriz’ Scott, Alex Albers, Drew Van Gorder, Heath Ordway, Travis Redd, Tony Sibert, Max Kuszaj, Jesse Hall, Jon Lafferty
Alex Schlopy set a goal for himself going into the 2014 Olympic Games: In his words it was “make the Olympics or I’d rather be dead.” Unfortunately, Alex missed making the US Olympic Team by the slimmest of margins and decided to seek out crack and heroin to dull his pain and follow through on the ‘or I’d rather part’. A few suicide attempts and an arrest later, Alex went to treatment and is currently getting back into the sport he loves. He’s young and still has a chance to regain all that he thought he threw away. Hear his whole story on the podcast
Alex Schlopy Show Notes
1:30: Skiing for the first time in a long time
2:45: Coming from a famous family and family growing up
7:00: Getting into skiing and other sports in his life
10:10: Taking gymnastics to snow and working with Mike Hanley
12:30: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)
13:45: Full of energy and toilet papering and did he get in trouble?
16:32: Winning the VT Open, getting sponsors and money
20:00: Filming with TGR and getting a RED camera
23:00: Getting into a bad car crash and the concussion
27:30: Drinking and the perception of him
30:00: Why does he hate himself?
33:00: When does he move out of the house and what is 2011 like for him?
34:59: First X-Games, getting into big air, winning and the JOI event
37:00: Getting real money in 2011, almost getting arrested and other incidents
45:00: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)
46:30: How does he spend his money and partying/skiing
49:30: The goal that was the worst idea of his life
51:05: Olympic qualifying and Joss
56:15: Sponsors at this point and Ruroc Helmets
59:52: The end of skiing and the start of drugs
1:08:16: Suicide attempts
1:13:00: He gets arrested and what does his family think about him at this time?
1:15:00: How does recovery happen?
1:19:00: Concussions and the impact they’ve had on him
