Kalifornien

Today in our Videos of the Week: The imaginary battle between EAST & WEST: Relatively interesting films from Japan and Georgia fight for your favor with two films from the USA. Have fun!

The Eastern Sierra is the part of the California Sierra Nevada that lies east of the north-south divide. If someone in California tells you that they are going to spend a few days touring in the Eastern Sierra, it's a bit like someone here in Switzerland saying that they are going to spend a few days in the Valais or the Bernese Oberland. You don't have to specify what exactly is planned, the name alone evokes associations of big mountains, long tours and rewarding efforts.

In mid-October, I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles. My company had recently opened an office in Hollywood and, motivated by the thought of exploring the Rocky Mountains this season, I brought all my ski equipment with me to the city of palm trees, movie stars and surfers.

Since last Sunday, a cold snap has had not only the Alps but also large parts of Central Europe firmly in its grip. To the east of a massive, blocking high in the Atlantic, cold air from the polar regions is being directed towards us. Snow showers are causing confusion in the northern German lowlands, in many places there is concern about frost damage to the fruit blossom and in the mountains, everyone who didn't give up on winter in February is going in search of a few more powder turns.

The WeatherBlog was written a little earlier than usual due to vacation plans and appears here with a time delay, so we tend to deal with less current things. From today's perspective (Monday), the weather is looking increasingly April-like in the near future, with slightly lower temperatures (as would be expected in April) and occasional, sometimes heavier, thundery precipitation. Note: The thunderstorm season is open!

"Flow State" is now the 63rd Warren Miller ski film and - it's hard to believe - actually something special and new once again. Even after so many Warren Miller ski films, the film team still doesn't seem to have run out of ideas in the snow. On the contrary. This year's Warren Miller "Flow State" ski film is once again causing euphoria among freeski and snowboard enthusiasts.

Travis Parker does the honors. One of the greatest snowboarding legends is back to show the film world "Respect Your Elders", a film that focuses on the love of powdering with friends. Together with a group of partly old hands and partly young rippers, the crew embarks on an adventure trip from California to Alaska. The cast includes Josh Dirksen, Ben Lynch, Brandon Cocard and, of course, Traivs Parker himself. This film from Mr. Parker's own production company, Resourcefull Gnome, is very likeable.