The bad news is this is the finale of the “The Sacred Grounds” series. The good news is that it’s another incredible episode. In part five, “Facets,” we follow Kye Petersen‘s thoughts and emotions through parts of life that many of us might consider less sacred. For the majority of this series, the Matchstick Productions crew takes us through parts of the world that are vastly untouched. Towering mountain canvases blanketed in feet of snow, the special sanctity of these locations is easy to see. But there is immense value in our everyday places as well. This is what we find at the heart of part five.
Petersen is and has been one of the more innovative skiers for some time. His approach to the mountain is recognizable from miles away, as he makes daunting faces look tame. His skiing isn’t loud, it’s subtle in the best ways. He’s also spent time innovating off the hill, including his time making the now-discontinued Kye Shapes skis. His creativity begins not just in the remote backcountry zones that we often see him in but also in his backyard and daily routine. These are places we often take for granted, but they can shape us more than any. While this project is wrapped, we can only hope that Petersen’s next endeavor is at our door soon.
From YouTube –
We are excited to share these adventures into undiscovered zones and “Sacred Grounds” that hold the best possible terrain environment for displaying these riders’ passion for skiing. The mountains provide us with so many blessings but can also take it all away in an instant—for this respect is due, a life of dedication is needed, and a whole lot of effort is required, all of which is rewarded with the times of their lives when it all comes together.
Part five, “Facets,” takes us on a journey to the less remote sacred places that still offer life-changing experiences. Here, we follow Kye Petersen to spots where he enjoys his everyday adventures. Unlike the previous episodes of this series, these are mostly common places many skiers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy, from riding lift access powder Crystal Ridge and Spankys Bowl in Whistler, to ski touring Blackcomb Peak, to fly fishing the banks of the Skeena River to skateboarding the infamous Whistler skatepark, to casting for Coho on the beaches of Tofino and spring shredding with friends on Blackcomb mountain.
On this final episode of the series, we share the striking contrast of how casual yet special these daily outings that shape the life of skiers are, but also how important it is for us to seek the unknown now and then and explore the edge of our comfort zone. We end this series with a session of Alexi, Brin and Kye skiing and boarding some of the steepest and most intense zones deep in the backcountry near Squamish, BC. This episode, more than any before it, is as real of profile as it gets, highlighting the places that truly shaped Kye’s life and respect for not only the outer limits of his backyard but also the nearest and dearest.
