Videos of the Week #9 2025/26 | Inefficient Joy

Video 1: Inefficient Joy | Full Movie (2025) by Simply

Winner of Best Picture at iF3 - and what a short film.
Even the opening is strong: probably the coolest perspective ever, filmed from the front, the skier from the front while skiing. This is followed by a voice-over - spoken from the perspective of an intelligence that examines why we skiers put in this effort and this inefficiency just to be able to ski downhill. And what it all means for us.

Beautiful, precise and to the point. Plus color grading that you rarely see in ski shots.

Rider: Sampo Vallotton & Laurent De Martin
With appearances by: Daniel Loosli, Jenn Folkesson, Anouck Brodard, Alice Michel

Video 2: CEASE AND DESIST. - A Snowboard Film by Beyond Medals

Ring the bells, Beyond Medals is back. They are known for the coolest intros and this time a full New Zealand project with costumes and Lord of the Rings cosplay- so good. And then the Japanese part, filmed entirely on 16 mm. Best snowboard segment of the year. No spin over 1080, but style, style. Watching Kevin Backstrom's Butters is a gift from the snowboard gods. Most legendary crew.

Riders: Kevin Backstrom, Tor Lundstrom, Sebbe De Buck, Ludvig Billtoft, Ulrik Badertscher, Lolo Derminio, Nick Puenter, David Djite & Severin Van der Meer

Video 3: FLIPBOOK | A Ski Film by Parkin Costain

Even at school, young Parkin had nothing else on his mind - and that hasn't changed to this day. Steep, fast lines in Alaska, pillow lines in BC and a hole-in-one crash included. See for yourself.

I met him last season for his wildcard at Kicking Horse and did a few laps with him. A freerider through and through.

Rider: Parkin Costain

Video 4: VVX Presents: Liminal by Carson Sharp and Kye Matlock

The short film was shot in Hokkaido, Japan, and narrated by a female voiceover who philosophizes about the dichotomy between commercial skiing and the core community. Carson is behind the camera here and impresses with beautifully staged shots and strong compositions of light, landscape and riders. Calm, reflective and visually to the point.

Rider: Kye Matlock & Max Bass

Video 9: Cycling from Chamonix to ski above the Arctic Circle | A Jean Rouaux adventure | Documentary

What an adventure! The Frenchman bikepacks from Chamonix north to Norway. What a tour - and not only that, but also very cool storytelling and strong visuals. I hope we get a behind-the-scenes: how did he keep his equipment dry?

This is a movie with an extremely small footprint for the environment. So cool! Watch it and support projects like this.

Rider: Jean Rouaux

Video 10: K2 Snowboarding Presents - THERMAL

The K2 Euro Team delivers its season movie. Produced by Nico Steidle - I worked with him for two years at events and he's been in the scene for decades and knows exactly what looks good. Boti came back from injury last season, and what a stylish snowboarder! Cool movie, thanks for that.

Riders: Marc Schumy, Leon Gütl, Jesper Landmark, Hennes Dollenberg, Antti Jussila, Moritz Thönen, Petr Ershov, Moritz Amsüss, Mathis Bozzolo, Botond Fricz.
Cameos: Janne Lipsanen, Aito Ito, Thomas Delfino, Gabor Abonyi, David Djite, Sebbe de Buck, Selin Lakatha, Hanne Eilertsen, Sam Vermaat.

Video 11: Peak Performance | The Vertical | Starring Victor Lourdel

It gets alpine and very steep: steep skiing with no room for missteps. Adrenaline, control and technique. Victor takes us to the Alps in search of freedom.

Rider: Victor Lourdel

Video 12: HAPPY PLACE | A (Mostly) Ski Film By Kendall Goodman

Kendall made his debut at the FWT and created some stylish moments there. His current project: to shoot a ski film in summer, in the southern hemisphere in winter. This documentary takes a look behind the scenes - what drives him to be creative? And yes, he's also a DJ. Come along to Kendall's happy place.

Rider: Kendall Goodman

Contest of the week: SLVSH || Charlie Lasser vs. Brian Kiss at Woodward Copper

Two OGs against each other. Charlie is usually often behind the camera at the SLVSH Games, but what a style - even at 35 he's still like this in the park. Good reffing, cool calls, good game.

Rider: Charlie Lasser & Brian Kiss