October has arrived in all its autumn glory. Leaves have changed color, cascading to the ground and forming a crunchy layer of red and gold. Temperatures are plummeting. The darkness is eating away at the daylight.
These signs all point to the inevitable: Winter is coming. And for powderhounds, it can't come soon enough.
Thankfully, October also marks the start of ski movie season, when skiers and snowboarders can get pumped up for powder days and first tracks — even if Anchorage hasn't gotten its first snowfall of the season yet.
Here's a roundup of ski movies playing in the Anchorage are to tide you over until the snow flies. Did I miss one? Let me know at vho@adn.com or post in the comments below, and I'll add it here.
Oct. 6: 'The Third Mind,' Evoke Films
"The Third Mind" is a local production helmed by filmmaker Kris Marshall that features the Blue & Gold Boardshop's snow and skateboard teams, among other Alaska talent. Admission is free. Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, and the movie begins at 8 p.m. UAA's Wendy Williamson Auditorium, 2533 Providence Drive. (facebook.com/events/702907660067093/)
Oct. 18: 'All In,' Matchstick Productions
The first Matchstick film to feature a cast evenly balanced between men and women, "All In" takes viewers to mountainscapes in Japan, South America, British Columbia, Alaska and other destinations in the U.S. Described as "light on story, high on action and full of fun-loving personality," the film features — among others — athletes Angel Collinson and Elyse Saugstad, who will both be in attendance at the screening. (Saugstad grew up in Girdwood.) Proceeds benefit the Alaska Avalanche School and Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. Tickets cost $20, and raffle prizes will be handed out. 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, West Anchorage High School Auditorium, 1700 Hillcrest Drive. (brownpapertickets.com/event/3571190)
Oct. 25: 'Far Out,' Teton Gravity Research
"Far Out" follows an athlete's journey to the Albanian Alps — with stops along the way to Kamchatka, Girdwood, British Columbia, Slovenia and the Mountain West. "While the final destination appears to be the ultimate goal, it is the collective of athletes, experiences, and the array of locations around the world that inevitably drive the season's adventure," according to TGR. Familiar names in the credits: Collinson (Angel and Johnny), Saugstad, Jeremy Jones, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Ian McIntosh (of 1,600-foot-fall fame). Tickets cost $20, and part of the proceeds benefit Challenge Alaska. 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 W. 27th Ave. (beartooththeatre.net/movies/tgr-far-out-presented-by-challenge-alaska/)
Nov. 1: 'Hoji,' Matchstick Productions
This ski documentary focuses on Eric Hjorleifson, billed as "the skier's skier." Hjorleifson "has spent the better part of 20 years skiing in films, designing equipment and exploring the backcountry around the world," according to Matchstick Productions. Featuring raffle items and a new menu from Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Tickets cost $15 in advance, and the show benefits skiing programs at Arctic Valley Ski Area. Doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, and the movie starts at 8 p.m. Williwaw Social, 609 F St. (eventbrite.com/e/msps-hoji-ski-movie-tickets-49965935458)
Nov. 8: 'Face of Winter,' Warren Miller
Athletes come together to pay tribute to late ski filmmaker Warren Miller in "Face of Winter," which transports viewers to some of Miller's favorite spots: Alaska, Chile, New Zealand, Chamonix, British Columbia, Iceland and more. "We are all the face of winter — from the athletes to the audience to the locals in far-off destinations or even at our home mountain. Warren recognized this, and this year's film celebrates that," says Warren Miller Entertainment's managing director. Tickets cost $17 and go on sale Oct. 9, with proceeds benefiting Alyeska Ski Club programs and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alaska Division. 5:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 8-11, with an additional screening at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8. Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 W. 27th Ave. (beartooththeatre.net/movies/volkswagen-presents-warren-millers-face-of-winter/)
Nov. 29: 'Zig Zag,' Level 1 Productions
Directed by Freedle Coty and Josh Berman, "Zig Zag" takes viewers around the world in an exploration of a "lifestyle of contradiction": "Powder and slush. Stagnant and innovative. Untracked and well-travelled. Consistent but not predictable. Swerving left, right and diagonal, yet never asleep at the wheel." Tickets cost $20 and proceeds benefit the Hilltop Alpine Race Team. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, South Anchorage High School auditorium, 13400 Elmore Road. (brownpapertickets.com)