In the Flathead Valley, mountain culture films are a celebrated attraction for adventure-seeking locals looking to slake their winter wistfulness during the shoulder season, generating excitement for the first tracks of ski season while providing an opportunity to reflect on a summer of outdoor fun.
In its sixth year, the upcoming Whitefish Mountain Films features a full night of films, with different titles premiering at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, where a slate of filmmakers and professional athletes, including emcee Braden “Pep” Fujas, considered one of the most innovative freeskiers in the industry, will be on hand to showcase the freshest ski and mountain culture films of the season.
The Salt Lake City-based Fujas will introduce the films and raffle off a winter war chest of gear and other prizes, and beer and food will also be on tap.
Fujas has had an impressive career in a suite of skiing disciplines. He’s competed in multiple X Games Slopestyle competitions, taking home a silver medal in 2003, and has been featured in more than 20 ski films. Fujas will chat with fans during his visit to the Flathead Valley and bring insight to many of the movies and athletes’ experiences.
He’ll introduce the film “Afterglow” by Sweetgrass Productions, in which Fujas and other skiers wear head-to-toe luminescent suits made of light bulbs as they ski big mountains in Alaska at night.
Olympian and local ski phenom Maggie Voisin will once again attend the event to greet her burgeoning fan base and present a short film depicting some highlights from her experience at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Film selections include “Almost Ablaze” by Teton Gravity Research, “Days of My Youth” by SMP Films, “Sammy C Project” by Teton Gravity Research, “Bryan and Kaia” by Foxwood Films, and more.
As a homegrown film festival, the event has humble origins, and its focus on local as well as regional films and athletes is by design – a style fostered by founder and organizer Greg Franson.
Franson noted that the Banff Mountain Film Festival, which comes to Kalispell Nov. 18 and 19, was similarly designed by skier and mountaineer Chic Scott.
Whitefish Mountain Films is organized and presented by Outside Media and BlueBird Guides.
Tickets to the event are $15 per person for adults, with children ages 12 and younger admitted for free. Tickets are available online at www.whitefishmountainfilms.com, and can also be picked up in Whitefish at The White Room, Jersey Boys Pizza and The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.
The event is a nonprofit fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Glacier Institute to help support their mission to provide hands-on, field-based educational adventures in the Crown of the Continent ecosystem.
Pizza from Jersey Boys and beer from Tamarack Brewing Company will be available for purchase before the films and during intermission. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. Guests can enter raffles to win a number of big-ticket prizes, including skis.
This year will also feature a Friday night pre-party at the Stonefly Lounge in Coram at 8 p.m. and a Saturday night after-party at the Boat House bar inside the Lodge at Whitefish Lake.
Whitefish Mountain Films, hosted by Braden “Pep” Fujas
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
Saturday, Nov. 8
Tickets $15
Doors open 6 p.m., films at 7 p.m.
Learn more about the festival at www.whitefishmountainfilms.com