Travel back to Vail, Colorado in the early 1970s, where the Ravinos challenged mainstream culture and sparked a revolution in extreme skiing.
Identifiable by the iconic flaming skull insignia patches on their cutoff denim jackets, the Ravinos gained prominence by hosting parties on St. Patricks Day to showcase inverted aerials.
The crowds grew bigger and rowdier and eventually led to them being shutdown by the authorities.
After a 30 year hiatus, descendants of the original Ravinos discovered their parent’s patches in the late 2000s. With a new vision of becoming ambassadors for the mountain, they have carefully regained access to the original location (a 20ft cliff gap called the ‘Wailer’) and continue to fight for acceptance and belonging.
Meet recent and hopeful ‘prospects’ as they attempt to backflip down the ‘Wailer’ gap – the only way to earn a coveted patch.
Against the backdrop of a busy mountain town, they continue to challenge authorities to do right by the community and foster future generations of Ravinos.
Alex is a filmmaker, based in Whistler, BC, with a passion for storytelling in the outdoors.
He aims to connect viewers with the unique characters behind high-intensity sports, including snowboarding, skiing, skydiving, highlining and surfing.
He met the Ravinos 8 years ago while living in Colorado and experienced firsthand the energy and support that this community provide to those around them. It helped him overcome boundaries and try things he wouldn’t have otherwise, something that has stuck with him ever since.
Upon moving to another ski town and seeing the same challenges faced by the locals that live there, he’s realised just how important it is to celebrate and maintain communities like the Ravinos.
He and the team are extremely excited to be sharing this project!
Sharing our festival will help us grow and get important film content to new viewers!
