1960’s THROWBACK: SKI JUMPING, BALLET, AND USING HELIUM BALLOONS AS AVALANCHE SAFETY BEACONS?

"People weren’t made to fly, that’s why we make kickers."

That’s Warren Miller, speaking like a true champion of the ski world. Directing some 50 ski films in his lifetime, Miller has created some significant ski gold over the years. If it’s not epic footage of a pre-pubescent Sean Pettit getting big air in Japan or a tribute segment to Craig Kelly after he died in an avalanche, there is a recurring dog-and-daddy ski duo, pond skimming fails, ski ballet, and the odd shot of someone riding down the hill on a hot dog.

There are hours of witty narrative and dry humour mixed in with all the skiing, allowing us to look back and trace the sport’s evolution throughout the years. 

In spirit of a nostalgic Warren Miller moment, here’s a short clip from The Many Moods of Skiing (1861). Special mention goes to the last minute or so of the clip, as Warren Miller describes the safety features of helium balloons while skiing deep powder. Hm, what?