29 September 2023

Steep Reflections

Follow local guides and freeriders as they showcase the hidden beauty of the Snowy Mountains, taking you to the highest peaks and the steepest slopes, whilst uncovering the harsh reality our winters face if we don’t act now.

With a warming climate, there is growing concern for the future of snowsports in the Kosciuszko National Park. STEEP REFLECTIONS aims to change your perspective on the Australian backcountry, and create greater awareness around the importance of both mountain safety and our environmental footprint.

We chatted to Cameron 'Woody' Wood to learn more about the film, the Aussie backcountry and his involvement with Protect Our Winters.

What is Steep Reflections about?

Steep Reflections is an Australian Backcountry skiing and snowboarding documentary, created by guides working in the industry. The aim was to showcase that Australia has some serious mountains, where you can easily get your fix of steep skiing and bagging couloirs. The film highlights both the rapid changes happening to the climate and how it's affecting this snowy region, and the passionate people working hard to create a safer environment for backcountry travellers.

What inspired you to create a film in the Australian backcountry?

This unique landscape shares unparalleled similarities to the beautiful mountains of Scotland where I grew up. Both thought not to have any snow at all. Some would even go far enough to say they're the dog's breakfast of skiing around the world. We felt this was enough cause to show the world there's more than meets the eye to these overlooked gems. The similarity that struck me most, was the rapid rate of snow decline. These mountains are at threat of losing their pearly white exteriors, but there's still time to turn that around.

How did the film crew come together? Who was involved?

It's easy to think big and come up with an idea, but actually executing it is another story. Nonetheless, I felt compelled to share the stoke on the Aussie backcountry. After this spark of inspiration, I put some feelers out to the local creative community, that's what first led me to Daygin Prescott and Matt Nethery, a couple of dirtbag climbers and ski bums who knew their way around a camera and shared the same passion. Later down the line we found ourselves in need of another filmer and editor, that's when I was introduced to Henry Smith, a country man from Tamworth with a love for fly fishing and the outdoors, Henry was the missing piece of the puzzle.
All of these beautiful moments were captured by the incredible Tom Roffey, an adventure photographer from the Sunshine Coast who brought his vibrant energy and unique eye for creativity to the team. Along with the help from some local legends and the entire Thredbo backcountry team, we had everything we needed to make a movie!

What were you hoping to achieve through this film?

We hope to encourage more people to get into the Australian Backcountry, but to do so safely and with respect to the land. This amazing community surrounding not only the snow, but the outdoor community itself holds considerable power to affect change. Hopefully it helps someone find their own way into the mountains to feel the same connection we all share.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get into backcountry skiing or snowboarding in Australia?

Embrace the highs and lows the mountains will inevitably throw at you, nothing comes easy and if you want the goods you can bet they'll make you work for it. Head out with a plan and be calculated with every decision you make, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Build on your skills, they're universal, Australia can be your backyard training ground for exploration around the world. Head over to Mountain Safety Collective for a professional backcountry condition report and check the weather before you go. Storms can be fun when you're properly prepared. If it's your first time, head out with a guide, then get yourself educated with an AST1 or something similar so you have tools to make your own decisions. Regardless of the struggles I can honestly say I've never had a bad day out there.

What motivated you to become involved with Protect Our Winters?

Skiing has been at the forefront of every decision I've made in life, it has connected me to people, cultures and above all nature itself. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has presented and the drive it gives me every day. Sadly, due to climate change and by our own doing, the mountains we love and cherish are threatened. POW stands as a voice for these mountains and the people. Doing my recycling everyday wasn't cutting it, I wanted to join the fight to help protect and preserve these beautiful places for generations to come. Our strength is in numbers, and in our community.

What’s next for you?

Big changes won't happen overnight, I plan to keep exploring new ways to showcase the mountains. For POW, we are making moves to better establish ourselves and plan to do events in local ski towns throughout winters. We hope to provide people with a better understanding of how they can help mobilise the outdoor community. Everyone has their own unique skill sets, all of which are of great value. The sooner we come together the sooner, we can start establishing a brighter future. If this experience has taught me anything, it's that there are already so many amazing people devoting their lives to making a difference, and that collectively we really can make that big difference.

Words by Cameron Wood. Photos by Tom Roffey.

FEATURING: Cameron Wood, Dylan West, Owen Lansbury, Theo Lansbury, Mimi G, Trinn Hewitson, Lachlan Short, Alex Parsons, Tom Roffey, Joe Stanco, Katie Law, Hayden Swift, Leonie Wohl, Craig Sheppard

PRODUCTION: Cameron Wood, Daygin Prescott, Henry Smith

PARTNERS: POW Australia, Mountain Safety Collective, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services

SPONSORS: The North Face, Smith, Rhythm Snowsports, Dynastar, Thredbo Hikes, Snowshepherd Gloves, Joey's Myoko