Watch Warren Miller's Steep & Deep

Warren Miller's Steep & Deep is a classic ski documentary from 1985 that showcases some of the greatest skiing destinations in the world. The film is a product of Warren Miller Entertainment, a production company that has become well-known for its insatiable appetite for the rush of winter sports. The documentary takes us on a journey to some of the snowiest peaks in the world, from the steep and deep powder of Switzerland to the world-famous ski resorts of the United States. The film showcases some of the world's finest skiers and snowboarders as they carve their way through some of the gnarliest terrain on the planet.

One of the unique aspects of Steep & Deep is that it showcases skiing in a more adventurous, backcountry style that was relatively rare at the time. The filmmakers and skiers are shown skiing in spots that are off the beaten path and less commercially developed. This approach gives the film a sense of freedom and authenticity that draws audiences in.

We start the film in the northern hemisphere, with skiers making their way down some of the biggest and most dangerous peaks in Alaska. Miller and company use helicopters to transport them to the top of these peaks and then they plummet hundreds of feet down the nearly unskiable slopes. It's not just the steepness and the depth of the snow that makes these runs so intense; it's also the possibility of avalanches that makes each run feel especially perilous.

From Alaska, the film takes us to the Swiss resort of Verbier, where European skiing legend Sylvie Beuchat makes her way down some of the steepest moguls imaginable. There's a scene here where she and another skier nearly collide mid-air, which adds a level of drama to the proceedings. There's a reason these skiers are so respected: skiing at this level requires intense focus, skill, and bravery.

The film then heads back to the United States for a tour of some of the best ski resorts in the country, including Snowbird in Utah, Colorado's Vail resort, and the stunningly beautiful Squaw Valley in California. Everywhere you look, there are skiers braving the elements and pushing their bodies to the limit.

One of the standout sequences in the film involves a group of skiers racing down the Interstate 80 highway in Idaho, jumping over traffic and weaving their way through lanes of cars. It's a wild and dangerous piece of skiing that underscores the film's sense of adventure.

Steep & Deep's strength is its sense of spectacle. There are gorgeous shots of mountainsides covered in snow, and plenty of exciting, pulse-pounding action sequences. The film does a great job of bringing audiences into the world of skiing and showing them the beauty, danger, and excitement that come with it.

However, the film is not perfect. Some scenes feel a bit repetitious, and some of the scenes showcase the filmmaking and skiing techniques of its era in ways that may seem outdated to modern viewers.

Still, it's easy to see why Steep & Deep has remained a beloved film for over three decades. The sense of awe and excitement that comes with watching world-class skiers tackle mountains with speed and finesse is something that never gets old. The film offers a glimpse into a world few of us have the ability to experience first-hand, and it does so with style and expertise.

Overall, Warren Miller's Steep & Deep is a masterclass in ski filmmaking. It showcases some of the most thrilling skiing locales on the planet while giving audiences a glimpse into the lives and skills of some of the world's most talented winter sports athletes. If you're a fan of skiing or snowboarding, it's a must-see. Even if you're not, it's hard not to be impressed by the sight of these athletes pushing themselves to the limit.