Film Review: The Edge of Never

I recently received an autographed copy of the new ski flick The Edge of Never. Based off of a book written by the film's director, Bill Kerig, the movie follows the journey of Kye Peterson skiing the run that his father died on. Featuring Glen Plake, Anselme Baud, Eric Pehota, Mike Hattrup, Kasha Rigby, and Meg Oster, the film is more than just tricks and powder shots.

Camaraderie is what comes to mind when I think about the movie. The best friendships I have ever made have been on the hill. You share a bond on the snow that few people who don't live for it can understand. The story of Eric Pehota and Trever Peterson emphasizes the passion that people can share for the sport. Hiking, skiing, and doing it all over again, but there is nothing better than looking over the mountain and then dropping in.

When Bill Kerig called Glen Plake, he told him he wanted to make a movie "about the heart and soul of skiing." He wanted to find it in Alaska, Glen told him it lived in Chamonix, France. However, it is what he says before that I think matters most. He said you could probably find the heart and soul of skiing in the midwest. Not where there are huge hill or hiking, but where people still live for the snow. Passion doesn't have to mean powder, but just a need to feel the snow.

The embodiment of the "heart and soul" of skiing comes in the form of pint sized Kye Peterson. The movie is focused on Kye's right of passage skiing the route that killed his father. I think one of the most powerful parts of the film were with Trever's mom, someone who may have never skied Chamonix, but never the less represents the soul of the sport. When Bill is thinking about taking Kye to France to film the movie, he first asks permission from his grandmother before saying yes. Talking to Kye's family about this adventure is one of the most touching points of the film.

Sometimes when watching ski videos all the time, we forget how dangerous skiing can be. The mountain has a mysticism about it that can't be denied, but if you don't hire a guide in Chamonix "then your an idiot." Enters Stephane "FanFan" Dan. The guy looks so comfortable on skis it makes me feel like a newbie. FanFan guides Kye through the techniques of hiking and skiing Chamonix. From seeing where his father died to overcoming his own challenge of skiing it himself. The thoughtfulness, passion, and companionship portrayed in the film makes me proud to be even a small part of the community.

The rest you are going to find out by watching, cause it is completely worth it. In the meantime, here is the trailer:



The Edge of Never Film Website