Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

A natural high

TGR presents new ski and snowboard film, Under The Influence, featuring local riders and Pemberton backcountry riding
1539film
Snow Season Sammy Carlson catches some air over the sun at Grand Targhee Resort. Photo by Adam Clark

What: Under The Influence Whistler premiere

When: Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Where: MY Millennium Place

Tickets: $9.99

Six centimetres of snow fell on Whistler Mountain on Monday morning, which was, coincidentally, the first day of fall. Now the anticipation of the upcoming season and powder pangs are kicking into high gear, and yet another ski and snowboard film is making its premiere this week, building on the winter hype.

But Teton Gravity Research (TGR) isn’t just about winter sports. The action sports entertainment and production company has been around since 1996, making films about everything from surfing and kayaking to skiing and snowboarding with the help of a solid team of acclaimed producers, directors, cinematographers, and top athletes.

To date, the Jackson Hole-based company has filmed, directed and produced 18 films, as well as original series television and commercial programming for NBC, Showtime, Nissan, Gatorade and others.

The focus of their latest film, Under the Influence , is spelled out pretty clearly in their tagline: “the people, places and moments that define our riding.”

Jamie Bond is the local tour promoter for Under the Influence , hosting the premieres in Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler.

“Maybe when you think of ‘under the influence’ at first, you think of drinking or something,” Bond said with a laugh. “And of course, that’s the spin we took with the after party, but they’re referring to, be it the season or the conditions or the riders or just everything about skiing that inspires them to go bigger, to explore new places.”

The film celebrates the camaraderie, lifestyle and surroundings of the winter sports world, with some massive tricks thrown in, to keep the audience oohing and aahing.

While there’s an intense focus on riding, viewers can also expect a glimpse of genuine conversations with the athletes. Sticking with the theme of “under the influence” the filmmakers decided to explore the character and motivations of the riders, trying to find out what makes them tick, and what draws them to their chosen sport and lifestyle.

Though TGR has a strong skier following, Bond said the film should also appeal to the snowboarding contingent. He adds that it will have a special appeal to the people of Whistler, with a number of riders with local connections, like Victoria Jealouse, Dana Flahr, Ian McIntosh and Kye Petersen featured prominently throughout the film, alongside some massive names, like Jeremy Jones.

The cast and crew also visited and shot in a wide range of locations, including our own backyard (Pemberton backcountry), plus Jackson Hole, Haines, Alaska, and locales throughout Europe.

“It’s just funny that it’s a Jackson Hole, Wyoming based company, but it definitely has a strong local presence with some of the riders,” Bond pointed out.

The skiers and riders featured in Under The Influence have raised the bar with this latest film.

“The one obvious thing is people going bigger, which seems to happen year in and year out.”

That seems to be the common thread for all of TGR’s movies, whether they focus on summer or winter sports — their films feature progressive athletes who are prepared to take the sport to the next level, and are keen to explore and try new things.

“Not just the ski model type, but more somebody who is trying to push themselves in the sport,” Bond explained, adding that TGR is known for finding and fostering new, up-and-coming talent.

In terms of quality, TGR’s films are shot in 16 mm and high-definition, so expect crystal-clear, jaw-dropping images.

The Whistler stop isn’t the first for the TGR crew this season. The Under The Influence tour started on Sept. 20 with the world premiere in TGR’s hometown, Jackson Hole.

Whistler is the fourth stop on the tour, but there’s at least one special feature in store for the local crowd: a short, five-minute Gaper Day film, shot here on the last day of the 2007/2008 season.

“Before the show, we’re going to do the world premiere of a really short little movie that we call Gaper Day,” Bond explained. “…This year, there’s probably about 100 people dressed in jeans and spandex and wrestling outfits and everything under the sun, skiing on dirt and rocks.”

Bond expects the audience to be stoked to catch a glimpse of themselves, friends, and riders from the feature film decked out in their finest attire and taking to the local slopes.

“Half the audience was at the day… so it’s pretty funny, and Dana and Ian, from the feature film, are also regulars at gaper day, so it’s kind of funny that first, you get to watch them ski in jeans and make a total fool of themselves, and then you get to see them on the real film.”

The premieres will also be followed up with a “Fear and Loathing” Whistler-style after party at the Longhorn Bar and Saloon.

To check out an Under The Influence teaser, visit www.tetongravity.com/undertheinfluence .