Winter Wildlands Alliance Presents: The 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival

The Backcountry Film Festival, presented by Winter Wildlands Alliance, celebrates the power and spirit of humans in winter.

Since its inception, the festival has toured across states, countries—even Antarctica—screening hundreds of inspiring films that celebrate adventure, conservation, and the magic of winter. Over the years, the festival has raised millions of dollars to support local projects that strengthen winter communities and protect our wild snowscapes.

The 2025-26 winter season is the 21st anniversary of the Backcountry Film Festival! This year showcases a dynamic lineup of short documentaries and ski films that transport audiences straight to the heart of winter. Adventure, love, travel, ski culture, ice, pain, friendship, and DEEP POWDER—you’ll find it all as the festival brings these powerful stories to towns around the world.

Join us on tour and be part of a movement that combines cinematography, outdoor culture, and grassroots action to celebrate and protect winter for generations to come.

Now Streaming

Film Descriptions

A BAFFIN VACATION, LOVE ON ICE

26:15 minutes

By Skip Armstrong, Rush Sturgis, Erik Boomer, Sarah McNair-Landry
Join one couple’s adventure love story and witness what dating might look like if you’re both a little crazy and love hardcore winter adventures.

RIDGE TO RIVER

12:23 minutes

By Steven Gnam
A story from one of Winter Wildlands Alliance grassroots groups in the North Cascades, Friends of Mission Ridge, about how a community’s love of a place has inspired a growing collaboration to protect the ridge from too much development.

LET MY PEOPLE GO SKIING

Snowlands Network Environmental Storytelling Award Winner (2025)

17:28 minutes

By Kakéin Shee Ellen Bradley
Kakéin Shee Ellen Bradley leaves the city and travels home to ski on her ancestral lands in Alaska.

POLAR

Backcountry Film Festival Jury Award Winner (2025)

10:50 minutes

By Robert Pallin Aaring and Rasmus Bjerken
One crazy Norwegian skier’s unique approach to balancing fatherhood and finding epic lines.

DESCENTS TO DUNES

3:58 minutes

By Anthony Cupaiuolo, Claire Hewitt Demeyer
A fun film about two friends finding turns wherever they can when the snow is low and the stoke is high.

40 YEARS ON THE TRAIL

5:26 minutes

By Evan Kay
In the Green Mountains, a passionate group of snowscape conservationists spent 40 years partnering with different landowners across Vermont to establish the longest cross country ski trail in the United States.

SHAPED BY ICE

5:57 minutes

By Dan McComb
Brings to life the power that art and community can play in communicating the data and science of how our wild snowscapes are changing at alarming rates.

ADAPTIVE AVALANCHE

7:22 minutes

By Vasu Sojitra and Dani Aravich
Winter Wildlands Alliance Ambassador, Vasu Sojitra and friends head to Cooke City, Montana, to redefine travel access in backcountry avalanche terrain.

UNCHARTED: THE WHITE CONTINENT

5:41 minutes

By Tamara Susa
This film comes from one of Winter Wildlands Alliance proud Snowschool supporters, Ice Axe Expeditions, about the rare experience of skiing in Antarctica alongside penguins and seals.

GOING HOME

12:16 minutes

By Anna Tedesco, Kylie Zarmati
A vagabond story of 4 rad ladies exploring the marvels of Alaska and deepening their love for the friendship-fueled, human-powered adventures that sustain us all.

Tour Schedule
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Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to
inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.