Sunny Nails The Slopes

NAIT's board room POW-WOW

Sunny isn't just hitting the slopes - she is nailing them, three lessons in and she is attacking the slopes with a serious appitite.  And everyone involved in the production of this documentary is loving it.  Today they took a chance to go through footage and see how things are shaping up.

Progression on the documentary being produced between SnowSeekers and NAIT showcasing the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance is coming along better then anyone could have expected.  Just this week SnowSeekers announced the addition of Jaro Malanowski to it's team, recognized as one of Canada's preeminent directors/film producers. Malanowski's job in working with SnowSeekers Director of Photography, Brandon Boucher is to take the film from an idea to reality.

The reality is securing the film's goal of increasing diversity on the slopes, attracting a wider demographic to take up skiing and with Sunny and her family being from Mongolia, things are looking bright.  "One thing we notice is the diversity on the slopes of Snow Valley, let's capture this with more b-roll," says Malanowski.

Things really picked up this past weekend when mom took to the slopes with Sunny- taking a lesson program on site at Snow Valley right along side her daughter.  Word is that the dad is not far behind, stay tuned as the whole family gets ready to tackle the Canadian Rockies, Dec 10-12th weekend down at Castle Mountain Ski Resort just outside of Pincher Creek.

Affirming the Passion

Last night I watched a girl learn to make the most of winter; I watched her learning to ski and it was an event that re-affirmed just why I love snow sports so much. With eyes wide open and a big smile on both her and her mother’s face, Sunny Gantumur took to the slopes and nailed it.

                                                                         Photo by Kristy-Lynn Polowich

It was really the debut of a project we here at SnowSeekers have been working on since July - that to produce a documentary about a little girl who learns to ski.  It's in partnership with the Digital Media Students at NAIT, so it was a full on film crew out there last night, boom mic, two cameras and all.

With rosy cheeks and a big cheer in her eyes, I sat at the end of the lesson in awe with how energized our subject of the film was. The biggest and brightest surprise I received was when she asked if after her lesson this Saturday if she could stay on to practice and this was after her first lesson! As her family originates from Mongolia, only moving to Canada four years ago, Sunny was already conditioned for a big winter outside. With a brother who speed skates Sunny was looking to enjoy winter in a new way by hitting the slopes instead of the ice.

We were down at Snow Valley, a ski resort here in the heart of Edmonton Alberta for the first shoot of our documentary to be released February 1, 2010 and in association with the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance. After a few stretches in the parking lot, Sunny took to the slopes like a champ. “She is really picking things up quick,” said her instructor Christina Schmidtke, who learned to ski on these same slopes and now gives back by instructing a few hours a week. We watched as Schmidtke passed Sunny through a few drills, like getting in and out of her skis and becoming confident in moving around in them. After the first half an hour of giggles and laughs shared by Sunny and her instructor I asked if she was cold and needed a break, “no I am good, but my cheeks they feel a bit cold,” my immediate response was “yah, you’ll be the one in class tomorrow with the rosy cheeks and all your class mates will be asking you where you were last night!” You could see her eyes light up with excitement from the statement as she jumped back onto the magic carpet for another spin.

Those rosy cheeks are the sign of a skier, snowboarder or fan of the snow. Get out there and get your glow back, visit us at www.snowseekers.ca! Watch for more updates as Sunny takes to the slopes through the next few weeks leading up to her climax December 12th weekend at Castle Mountain Ski Resort as she tackles the Canadian Rockies for her first time.

Stay Tuned!

SnowSeekers New Home Page

Here is a sneak peak to SnowSeekers new website launching later this month!!

SnowSeekers PRESS RELEASE!!!

The Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance clicks in with SnowSeekers and NAIT.

EDMONTON, October 9, 2009 – A three way collaboration between some of Canada’s finest educators will see the development of a motivational and inspiring documentary. The Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) has contracted SnowSeekers, a snow minded new media company, to produce the film.

“We want to show people how available skiing is, how fun the sport can be and how accessible it is for everyone regardless of where you are from or what background you bring to the slopes.  We see this film as a huge opportunity  to bring all of these factors to light and we, as the part of the industry, share a common goal in introducing and developing the sport of skiing within our communities,” explains Brahm Reinblatt, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the CSIA.  The film will profile the CSIA’s Skier Progression program, allowing for a fun and safe environment while learning  to ski.

The 12-minute film and three-minute internet piece, will profile a girl of ethnic background and her toils and triumphs in learning to ski, a journey that covers day one through to enjoying the mountains for her first time.

“As a filmmaker I want this documentary to inspire people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds to get out and take ski lessons. If nothing else get out and experience winter. I want to make it clear that anyone can do anything they want if they put their mind to it,” explains SnowSeekers’ Photography Director and NAIT digital media graduate, Brandon Boucher.  

Production for the piece begins mid-November for release February 1, 2010.

For the full story please click here 

Big News!

SnowSeekers has sealed a deal with The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. We're set to move operations into their Duncan McNeill Centre for Innovation Sept 1 '09. We'll be stationed close to the pub, the gym and it allows us to work with some of the top students from the world of digital media. Some very exciting results for SnowSeekers every where.

Although working from home IS nice, it will be good to get up and GO to work.

Now that that's settled, we just need some snow so I can really get down to business!

for the scoop on your favorite powder filled destination check out www.snowseekers.ca