Dennis Ranalter, or D-RAN as he’s known, is no stereotypical skier. Over the years he’s acquired a distinct style defined by composure and flow. As comfortable in the park as he is in the backcountry, it’s not a stretch to say D-RAN is one of the most versatile skiers of our time. However, Dennis’ story goes well beyond his skiing.
“Descendance” is a dive into the mind and life of this quiet kid from Stubai, Austria. He is a black skier carving out his legacy in a region and sport that is predominantly white. His struggles with identity and the narrow-mindedness of others are conflicts that, to many in the ski world, might be unfamiliar. This only makes Dennis’ journey all the more important to tell. Pay attention, as his words are as calculated, subtle and impactful as his skiing. Thank you to The North Face and Legs of Steel for broadcasting such an important story, and thank you to Dennis for having the bravery to tell it.
From YouTube:
Dennis Ranalter is one of the world’s most respected freeride skiers, his playful style and technical ability earning him a wide fan base and the widely used moniker: D-RAN.
Yet away from a name that showcases his self-assurance on the steep slopes of Austria, Dennis’s struggles with identity run deep. At its heart, the question of race and what it means to be black in a sport that remains predominantly and conspicuously white.
Descendance is Dennis’s story, a personal journey of self-exploration that examines his relationship with his own skin colour, with those closest to him and all those who share his love of skiing. It’s a journey that takes him from his home valley in Austria to Accra, the capital of Ghana, shining a light on the power of family along the way.
Photo Gallery
Courtesy of Legs of Steel
