STEEP REFLECTIONS – Turning the Focus on Climate Change and Australian Backcountry. Full Film
Mountainwatch | Lachlan Short
A combination of better gear, busier ski resorts, COVID lockdowns and the simple allure of untracked snow has seen the number of people enjoying the backcountry explode in recent years. The positive side of this is we have more people than ever before exposed to the beauty of this environment and a growing awareness that we have a short window to act to protect our winters from global warming.
We’ve seen a big change in recent Australian elections with climate positive policies already being enacted and a recognition that these are issues worth fighting for. While it’s hard to imagine the worst when we’re still skiing world class lines, the small changes we begin to experience each season are early warning signs of what’s to come.
When Scotsman Cameron ‘Woody’ Wood first landed in front of the Thredbo Backcountry team in May of 2022, he noticed two things. The first being that these backcountry frothers were foaming at the mouth as they spoke about the powder stashes the forthcoming winter might bring. The second was the love and appreciation this group had for their alpine playground.
For the Thredbo Backcountry Guides, this love and appreciation translates to a sheer determination to protect the precious alpine environment they’re lucky to call their backyard. This is something shared first hand each season as the guides lead the fellow ski-obsessed through the awe-inspiring parts of the Snowy Mountains. More than just guides for skills, safety and stoke in the backcountry, the Thredbo team are educators and advocates who are constantly searching for ways to rally the community to take action and protect our winters.
A new addition to the team, Woody offered a fresh perspective that sparked some ideas and inspired the guides to make some noise. They’d all been dreaming it, and Woody put it out into the universe.
“Bugger it, let’s make a ski film.”
Presented by The North Face, Steep Reflections follows local guides and backcountry skiers and snowboarders as they explore the precious alpine environment and unpack the frightening reality Australian ski resorts face if radical behavioural changes aren’t made.
Mountain Safety Collective’s Communications Manager, Owen Lansbury, says 2022 was a great example of what we can expect in the near future from climate change.
“Bigger storms, punctuated by rapid temperature changes meant we had large volumes of snow that became very unstable on steep slopes,” Owen said. “Anecdotally, there were more large avalanches observed in 2022 than in living memory. The other very obvious factor is the creeping rise of the snow line as average temperatures rise.”
“When I started working in Thredbo over 20 years ago, we would regularly ride backcountry lines to the village in the valley floor at 1300m. I’ve done that once in the past decade – it’s simply not possible below about 1600m most seasons.”
You only have to look at Woody’s home in Scotland for a glimpse of what the future in Australia could look like. The ski seasons he fondly remembers as a grom, have been reduced to less than a month in some resorts.
“The crippling blow of warmer temperatures cuts much deeper than less days on skis and people’s way of life. It will affect the ecology and Hydrology of the area. This may include changes to species, composition and distribution, and thus, Biodiversity.”
Steep Reflections aims to motivate the community to fight for their right to ski and snowboard. It showcases the remarkable beauty of the Australian backcountry, that many need to see to believe. Including Woody himself.
“I’ll be honest, I came to the Snowy Mountains with very low expectations,” Woody says. “But this beautiful snow-capped region continues to surprise me every day. Beautiful peaks, fun lines, good company and some damn good skiing.”
The film offers a chance to reflect on the incredible terrain we have in Australia, and to recognise that we should do everything we can to protect it, so future generations can experience the same epic lines in their lifetimes.
If the community fails to unite and take charge of the threatening situation, Steep Reflections will merely serve as a reflection of the past. Memories of the steep lines shredded when Australian winters still delivered the good stuff.
“We can all sit and pray that someone else will fight for the things we love, but that is no representation of the determination and will power of mountain people. Make this planet your priority. Make a difference.”
This story first appeared in the 2023 issue of Chillfactor Magazine Australia’s premier snow magazine.
FEATURING: Cameron Wood, Dylan West, Owen Lansbury, Theo Lansbury, Mimi G, Trinn Hewitson, Lachlan Short, Alex Parsons, Tom Roffey, Joe Stanco, Katie Law, Hayden Swift, Leonie Wohl, Craig Sheppard
PRODUCTION: Cameron Wood, Daygin Prescott, Henry Smith
PARTNERS: POW Australia, Mountain Safety Collective, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services
SPONSORS: The North Face, Smith, Rhythm Snowsports, Dynastar, Thredbo Hikes, Snowshepherd Gloves, Joey’s Myoko
