A well known name in the ski racing community, Scott Hoffman, ex-US ski team member and NCAA National Champion, enjoyed a long ski racing career that included years as a successful pro ski racer. After retiring from racing, Scott struggled against his addictions, and his life spiraled down a path from which he thought he could never escape. After spending a year in prison, Scott emerged sober and with a new inner peace. He has dedicated his life to giving back to society, the skiing community, and people who are currently fighting to overcome their own addictions.

Directed & Edited by Chris Morgan (twosherpas.com)
Thanks to ZEAL Optics (zealoptics.com)

Dave riding on the Lightning Ridge cat at Powder Mountain on his way up for another lap.

Despite losing his way during his 20s, Dave Rosen never lost his love for skiing. Sober and motivated, Dave is determined to make up for lost time.

Dave reached out to me a couple years ago, and we agreed to meet at Powder Mountain, Utah one day to see if we had the chemistry to make a good working team.  I was blown away by Dave’s abilities as a skier, especially his eagerness to hit big jumps off piste, but even more so I was impressed by his professionalism and desire for perfection. That first day of skiing together went so well that we’re been working together regularly to create photo and video media.

Over time Dave told me how his addiction to alcohol had taken over his life, but how he’d been sober for several years after finding his way through Alcoholics Anonymous.  I thought he had a story worth sharing, but I didn’t want to simply shoot a “talking head” documentary.  I approached him with the idea of this video with a voiceover, no obvious interview, and the video stylistically being divided into two parts.

Dave Rosen at Powder Mountain

Dave embraced the concept and over several days we were able to get a lot of great shots in the park and off piste at Powder Mountain.  I don’t normally shoot in the park, so it was a fun challenge doing multiple laps shooting various angles in slow motion and with the camera stabilizer in an effort to best show Dave doing his thing.

We’re looking forward to this season, and we already have plans to shoot throughout Northern Utah.

Chris enjoying Park City Main Street during the summer.

Chris Morgan is a videographer based out of Ogden, Utah.  You can view more of his work at www.twosherpas.com and on his Instagram feed @chris_twosherpas

It’s sometimes better to be lucky than good, and that’s how I feel about being lucky enough to meet the outgoing, inspirational, amazing Maggie Odette while bouldering at The Front in Ogden. An accomplished 5.14 climber and yoga instructor in her own right, my family and I were blown away with her grace and technique as she made impossible routes look easy.  I was even more amazed by her kindness as she was gave us subtle, positive instructions as we floundered on the wall.  I didn’t know anything about her background, but I knew she was an exceptional person and would be perfect to feature in a short video.

We got together at the climbing gym one gray day in February, and Maggie was generous and patient as I filmed her climbing the same route over and over in order to get the shots I needed.  We agreed to meet again soon to shoot the interview narrative, but weeks, then months passed as other jobs kept me distracted and busy.

Then one day in late May I got a message from Maggie.  She politely explained that I may want to shoot the interview soon, since she and her husband were leaving town.  When I asked when they were coming back, she told me, “Never.”  They had an adventure to go on and it was going to take them away from Utah for good.

I rearranged my schedule, shot the interview, Maggie left town, I put the video together, and “voila!” here it is.  Thanks for ZEAL Optics for their support.

Enjoy!

Chris