The Alps. The largest mountain range in inner Europe.

Huge mountains with myths to match. Mystifed as a place of dignity and purity and in the same way exploited as a theater of altercations between the forces of nature and man. In the Alps there are numerous and different forms of nature and human culture. At the same time, the Alps are also the most densely settled mountain region in the world. Extensively made accessible, both economically and touristic. The Alps today offer an unmanageable number of possible dentifcations and interpretations.

Which new perspectives can be gained? Is there freedom to be found and experienced? Are there frontiers to be discovered and to be crossed? These questions were the starting point for the idea of three young German free skiers to go on a quest.

Within the framework of their passion, extreme and free skiing, we accompany them on their search for answers. We will follow Jochen, Basti and Jogy when they cross the Alps and will document every moment of their journey. We will watch them ski down untouched powder slopes, conquer technically challenging lines in alpine areas and jump off high cliffs... The flm, which is designed as a documentary, will show the three in everyday and extraordinary situations apart from freeskiing and breathtaking nature shots.

Crossing the Alps will primarily be a skiing movie. Aesthetic images of technically challenging and extreme skiing and wonderful nature are the main concern. All three are “mountain guys”, have been skiing since early childhood, have been successful pros and are very experienced in alpine terrain.

Their great passion is freeskiing.

Using the open terrain for fast and radical runs. Endless powder runs, mighty cliff drops – made possible by their high technical level – express their individual style and their love for freeskiing, far beyond any cliché of a trend sport. The quest of our protagonists for places where they can experience their passion shall be expanded by multitudes. In this respect, Crossing the Alps exceeds your classical sports movie.

It is about the conscious experience of a journey. The surrounding nature in this case plays a more important part than usual. The regions we will be moving in want to be captured and should be more than a mere backdrop. There will be intensive contact with nature and history and culture of the people living there. There will be encounters with other freeriders and mountain athletes. Conversations with mountain farmers, mountain guides and also “lowlanders” that have decided to live in the mountains.

Through this, the focus of what skiing can mean will be expanded. This pertains to the protagonists, their interlocutors and also the audience. We will keep the balance between directed stories and the spontaneity that such a journey requires.

Check out the trailer: Crossing Alps Trailer!
Check out one of the freaks here on addictedtoride.com: http://www.addictedtoride.com/people/jochen/

Photo credit: Tim Maxeiner