All photos: Bjarne Salen
Cody Townsend is one of the most recognizable names in skiing at the moment. He’s been a regular in Matchstick Productions’ annual flicks since 2005’s The Hit List, has wowed mass audiences with his fast, fluid approach to big-mountain skiing and won over the hearts of ski enthusiasts the world over with his low-key demeanor and charisma. Last season, he announced his most ambitious project to date, the goal to ski all fifty lines in the beloved book, 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America, by Chris Davenport, Art Burrows and Penn Newhard.
After a brief summer hiatus Cody Townsend and his project, The FIFTY, is back for another season of checking classic ski descents off the mighty list. In episode 14, the pro skier sets his sights on Wyoming’s Middle Teton with the help of a very wise couple.
Before there was ever the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America, there was the 50 Classic Climbs in North America, which inspired the creation of the former and enticed couple Mark and Janelle Smiley to attempt to climb all 50 of the established lines. While the Smiley’s never completed all 50–they made it to 47–they learned a lot along the way on their “unfinished” project. Chalking his FIFTY project up to one big learning experience, Townsend is eager to have the couple join him on the Middle Teton and to soak up their wisdom about the struggles and triumphs of setting such a lofty goal.
With a newborn at home, Janelle Smiley bows out of this classic ski descent but not before she shares her biggest lessons learned with Townsend. With Mark Smiley and videographer Bjarne Salen, the trio get an early start for this wild Wyoming mission.
