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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Festival features outdoors films for entertainment and advocacy

The Backcountry Film Festival features non-motorized outdoor pursuits and raise funds for the Winter Wildlands Alliance and grass-roots groups that work to preserve the backcountry experience. (COURTESY PHOTO / Courtesy of Winter Wildlands Alliance)

John Latta has two ways of looking at the winter-themed eye candy coming to Spokane this week in the Backcountry Film Festival.

The Spokane backcountry skiing enthusiast says he will enjoy flicks featuring highly skilled athletes in the best snow on earth and be inspired with exciting outdoor recreation possibilities to pursue himself.

And he’ll be reminded that some of our favorite backcountry destinations could be lost.

“I am 64 and I may not be able to ski in the backcountry for many more years,” said Latta, who’s worked for 15 years to deter development and snowmobile infiltration of traditional backcountry skiing areas near Lookout Pass.

“So, I ask other winter backcountry users, “What is important to you?” If an area is important to you, it’s something you’re going to have to work for to save.”

Losing access to recreation areas often is “a political problem,” he says, “and that means if enough people don’t become involved, nothing will change.”

Latta is a co-organizer of the film tour’s Spokane screening with edited versions of 11 cool winter recreation films starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Gonzaga University’s Hemmingson Center Auditorium.

The festival films are assembled by the Winter Wildlands Alliance to celebrate the human-powered outdoor experience. The show is sponsored locally by the Spokane Mountaineers and Gonzaga Outdoors.

The festival, which was created in 2004, premiered in Boise last month and will travel to more than 100 locations in several countries.

Funds raised by the festival showings stay in local communities to support human-powered recreation and conservation efforts and to raise awareness of winter management issues, avalanche safety and winter education programs.

The Spokane showing will help fund efforts to secure some prime areas near Lookout Pass and Stevens Peak for muscle-powered access. Interstate 90 offers access to reach these areas of good snow slopes and conditions in a muscle-powered day trip.

“There aren’t many places like that,” Latta said.

But snowmobilers have been encroaching on these backcountry areas with more powerful and maneuverable modern sleds and snow cycles, he said.

“We have asked the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests to create a winter backcountry recreation area in the Stevens Peak backcountry of Idaho and Montana. This area is arguably the our most accessible, popular and dynamic subalpine backcountry terrain locally.”

Latta helped organized Mountaineers and other enthusiasts into the Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance to ask for winter travel planning in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s Forest Plan Revision. The Forest Service balked.

“We were involved in the NEPA process for Lookout Pass Ski Area’s previous expansion and we are now involved in the NEPA process for Lookout’s current expansion plan,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said Thursday would be a time to reflect on the bright side of winter recreation.

This year’s film themes include winter adventure, environment and mountain culture and youth in the outdoors with a documentary done near Sandpoint.

“SnowSchool” features the Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE) as skilled instructors lead kids from North Idaho and surrounding areas to explore their winter landscapes on snowshoes. While they’re at it, they make academic connections related to snow science, winter ecology, outdoor living and travel skills, and avalanche awareness. And they have fun doing it.

In addition to films with great skiing action, this year’s festival includes “Snow-Artist,” showcasing mesmerizing designs made with snowshoes by British artist Simon Beck.

“Pace – Pedal to Peaks,” involves an adventurer on a gear-laden bicycle exploring arctic Norway.

“Lifecycle of a Powderwhore,” follows a kid who chooses skiing over his Mormon faith.

“AK Girls Way,” is a memoir for a consummate mountain guide with an infectious enthusiasm for life.

“There on the Periphery” follows a midwinter dream route with professional trail runner Ricky Gates.

“Season on the Brink” reveals that Mother Nature is neither for nor against you in lessons learned from a near-fatal accident.

“The Lost Sierra” is a snapshot of the history and current culture of skiing in the Sierras.

“China, A Skier’s Journey” explores the rich past and dizzying future of skiing in Northern China.

“Reflections” reminds us that the woods in winter be poetry to the senses.

“An Education” tags along with a daughter-father duo on their quest to backcountry ski Antarctica.