Plaza Bar at Squaw will host the only U.S. public viewing of the documentary “Mount St. Elias: The Longest Ski Descent Ever.” This movie has taken top honors at almost every European film festival as well as the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival. The film follows an Austrian team in their attempt to climb the Alaskan mountain – only successfully summited by less than 20 people – and ski off the top, 18,000-vertical feet to the ocean. It also incorporates the story of local ski-mountaineer Aaron Martin, who, along with another climber, died after summiting the mountain in 2002 in their bid to pioneer the ski descent (two others survived). Squaw Valley cinematographer Steven Siig was part of the rescue effort and is interviewed in the film. At the event, Siig will talk about Martin’s climb and provide more details about the 2002 tragedy.
At the afterparty, local Squaw skier and Black Sunshine singer Matt Reardon, who wrote and performed much of the soundtrack, will play an acoustic set of songs from the movie; Truckee band Subject to Change will headline. The event is also a benefit for the Truckee-based High Fives Foundation, where CR Johnson’s family has asked that all donations be made, and in memory of Aaron Martin.
Limited tickets available. $20 in advance/$25 at the door. (530) 363-0235 for ticket info; movie trailer at mountstelias.com.
Tags: Aaron Martin, Black Sunshine, high fives, Matt Reardon, Mount St. Elias, Movie, Plaza Bar, Premier, Squaw Valley USA

