Legend Has It, a new ski and snowboard film by Teton Gravity Research (TGR) opens with retro footage from 1999. As a skier transcends a mountain line, a narrator foreshadows what’s to come: incredible feats by some of the industry’s well known and up-and-coming athletes in locations around the world.
Inspired by ski lore, legendary tales of mythical storm cycles, heroic feats and whispers of fantastical terrain, the film builds on the stories told on chairlifts, backcountry skin tracks or over beers.
“We’ve traveled the world for 28 years in pursuit of groundbreaking action and cinematography,” Todd Jones, co-founder of TGR said in a statement. “Over the years we have collected countless stories and experienced extraordinary moments. This year’s annual film taps into these legendary tales.”
Through stunning cinematography, the film showcases the athletes’ relentless commitment to adventure as viewers are whisked across continents to locations in Patagonia, the California Sierra, Jackson Hole and Pakistan.
Legend Has It features a cast of world-renowned skiers and riders including B.C.-natives like Ian Mcintosh, Janelle Yip, Marcus Goguen, Nick McNutt, Alex Armstrong and Revelstoke’s own Christina Lustenberger. Lustenberger, who moved to Revelstoke 16 years ago, is an ACMG accredited guide and former racer with the Canadian Ski Team.
It’s in Pakistan that Lustenberger appears, joined by McNutt and Jim Morrison, as they ready to ascend the Karakoram Mountain range. While it’s not shown in the film, that ascent had to wait, both for weather to improve and for illness to make its way through the trio. All in, they waited eight days in camp before they could make the ascent.
“The mountains there are beautiful, exactly what your imagination would build them up to be,” Lustenberger said in a phone interview with the Mountaineer. “Looking at the line, it’s a climbing route so it’s hard to find out exactly when the most ideal time would be to go there. It’s fun, you have to completely figure it out on your own and try to crack the code of the area.”
Ultimately, Lustenberger and the team weren’t able to crack that code, making them all the more determined to return. Still, in her eyes the trip was a success.
“We all came home safely; I think that’s always at the forefront of those big trips,” she explained. “We learned a lot in terms of what we could do there.”
While Lustenberger’s excitement about the adventure in the Karakoram Mountains is evident, she’s even more keen to talk about Nafeesa, a mentee she works with, and their plans to return to Pakistan.
Through an athlete development program with The North Face, Lustenberger is mentoring Nefessa, a young woman who is part Pakistani. A pitch to the brand to go back to Pakistan to teach some of the skills integral to backcountry skiing has received approval, and is providing an opportunity to give back.
“There’s a really cool group of people exploring the backcountry,” Lustenberger said. “It’s really cool to get them to explore these world class mountains and if we can give back a little bit and insert safe skills there’s this amazing trickle down effect and growth of love for backcountry skiing and backcountry travel. The people in those mountains are so beautiful and kind.”
Watch Legend Has It Friday, Nov. 10 at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film shows at 7:30. Tickets are $18 general admission, $14 under 16. Tickets are available online or at the door.
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