Steep – DVD Review

Film, Reviews

Available at Amazon.com

If you will it, it is no dream. Over the past forty odd years, skiers have been pushing the limits of big mountain extreme skiing, expanding the boundaries of what was thought to be impossible, and running lines down slope inclines so sheer the mind boggles that they are able to keep their balance. Documentary filmmaker Mark Obenhaus takes a look at the evolution of extreme skiing with his latest work Steep, which brings together skiers from around the world to discuss their lives, their love for the sport, and their struggles with a passion that could very well kill them at any moment.

Obenhaus begins his documentary with an interview and profile of Bill Briggs, who in 1971 was the first skier to ride from the summit of The Grand Teton in Wyoming. This singular event opened the eyes of skiers across the United States, and instantly shattered any preconception of what one would be able to accomplish on skis. Obenhaus is quick to point out though, that extreme skiing was already a matter-of-fact point of life for skiers in Europe, who would converge in Chamonix in France to ski incredible lines down Mont Blanc, free of the rules, regulation, and insurance worries found in US ski parks. Obenhaus employs vintage footage of some of the best skiers working their way down Mont Blanc, and profiles the men who were the godfathers of extreme skiing.

From here Obenhaus breaks into the main segment of his documentary with a look at the uprising of extreme skiing in the late eighties and early nineties, and the stars of these events. Obenhaus pay particular attention to the birth of ski videos, and especially the first and biggest of the bunch, THE BLIZZARD OF AAHHHs which came out in 1988. BLIZZARD features insane ski work from Glen Plake, a bleach-blonde mohawk-sporting madman, who recalls with great enthusiasm to Obenhaus his outlook on skiing and life. Obenhaus pays particular attention to the life story of Doug Coombs, a pioneering visionary, entrepreneur, and champion who helped to make Alaska the US equivalent of Chamonix and the ultimate destination for extreme skiing enthusiasts looking for lines that have never been attempted before.

The documentary is closed with a look at Andrew McLean, a well-known and highly-respected skier who employs an old school aesthetic to how he approaches his skiing. McLean does not use helicopters or parachutes or other paraphernalia to reach his destination, but instead simply scales the mountain like Bill Briggs and those on Mont Blanc before him and the skis down. Briggs returns for a closing soliloquy about the love for such a dangerous sport and a glimpse into the hearts of those who are eternally linked to the living mountains around the world.

Obenhaus captures the visually arresting mountains and valleys that are as awe-inspiring as the men and women who ride them. Although surely nothing can compare to seeing these majestic wonders of nature in person, the cinematography here is fascinating as it reigns in the immensity of the mountain ranges. Whether from helicopters, nearby peaks, right up against the skier, and in some cases in first person via helmet cams, this exhilarating sport is hypnotically brought to the screen. It really is a shame when Obenhaus cuts away during a run to interject an interview, as you just want to watch this tiny speck crisscross down a slope with a wall of snow following to see if they make it to the bottom.

To say that Steep is anything less than inspirational on the highest spiritual level would be to slight the work that Obenhaus has done here. There is no doubt that this documentary is geared toward the adrenaline junkies who share the same passions as his subjects. However, as the documentary rolls on, a bigger picture begins to emerge from within in which skiing merely becomes a variable in finding that one true calling buried inside us all, and to have the courage to follow it to the ends of the earth. Although many of his interviewees here have been able to carve a professional living out of skiing, there is little doubt that each one of them would become penniless ski bums in a heartbeat in order to answer the call in their soul. That pure dedication is infectious, and it permeates each frame of this film.


Sony Pictures Classics presents the film with a crisp anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. English and French subtitles are also included.


Audio Commentary – Director Mark Obenhaus, along with two skiers who appear in the film Ingrid Backstrom and Andrew McLean, completely geek out on this lively and entertaining track. Obenhaus provides information on the technical side and keeps things focused, while Backstrom and McLean let loose with their love of the sport and barrage Obenhaus with questions about his captured footage.

Q & A Session – Obenhaus, Backstrom, and McLean return in this thirteen minute session with questions geared toward the creation of the film.

Making Steep – In this behind-the-scenes photo montage, with commentary by Obenhaus, you’ll discover all the technical tricks and gear used to capture the stunning footage seen in the movie.

The Skiers Of Steep – In this photo montage, accompanied by a rollicking instrumental melody, the focus turns to the skiers who participated in the film both in action and behind-the-scenes.

Interview With Doug Coombs – An extended interview with Doug Coombs, some of which made it into the final cut of Steep

Previews – Find out what else Sony Pictures Classics has in store for you with these ten trailers.

A worthwhile documentary, even for those that know absolutely nothing about skiing, simply for its overall message, and beautiful scenes and stunning cinematography. For extreme sports enthusiasts, this may very well be the next great film to hold up as a testament to those who eat, drink, breathe, live and die for what they believe in.

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Sony Pictures Classics presents Steep. Directed by Mark Obenhaus. Starring Doug Coombs, Andrew McLean, Glen Plake, Chris Davenport, Bill Briggs. Written by Mark Obenhaus. Running time: 92 minutes. Rated PG. Released on DVD: March 18, 2008. Available at Amazon.com.