A scene from Teton Gravity Research’s new film “Far Out.” (Photo by Amon Barker)

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The start of ski season is more than six weeks out, and the first snow is yet to arrive, but daydreams of powder days will be a lot closer this weekend thanks to the Steamboat Mountain Film Festival.

At the 14th annual event, Teton Gravity Research will screen its newly released 2018 ski and snowboard film, “Far Out.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Chief Theater.

Friday’s event is a precursor to the main event of the festival Nov. 9, when Matchstick Productions’ new films “Hoji” and “All In” will screen alongside local, national and international filmmakers.

“There’s a rite of passage that comes with the annual film fest in terms of reacquainting yourself with that ski partner that you might not have seen since April, mentally preparing yourself for the winter or just seeing what else is possible in action sports,” said Michael Martin, producer of the festival.

“For me, I love to see what new spots are the next big thing, in travel skiing especially,” Martin said. “It’s always great to see your heroes on the big screen shredding something new.”

The showing of TGR’s new film follows the perspective of athletes on a quest to seek out undiscovered realms and inspiration.

Leading the viewer through barren landscapes, the film travels to the Albanian Alps, one of the most remote and unexplored mountain ranges in the world, the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia and the urban landscapes of Kamchatka, Russia. The film also makes stops in the Crazy Mountains in Montana, Girdwood in Alaska, Jackson Hole, Crested Butte and more.

The film stars Angel Collinson, Dane Tudor, Jeremy Jones, Elyse Saugstad, Tim Durtschi and TGR’s youngest shredder, 12-year-old Kai Jones, the son of TGR co-founder Todd Jones.

Skier Elyse Saugstad brings Teton Gravity Research’s big mountain style to the Julian Alps of Slovenia in the new film “Far Out.” (Courtesy photo)

“I think diversity is the name of the game this year,” Martin said. “Whether it’s location, athletes or the filmmaking, everyone is pushing in new directions to redefine what else can be done with a ski/snowboard film.”

Capturing the highest levels of skiing and snowboarding in these films is an achievement considering the unforeseen day-to-day challenges of these unique environments.

“In my 20-plus years in producing ski content, the remote locations are always the hardest but most rewarding,” Martin said. “Everything goes wrong, including the equipment to shoot the film.”

Martin, who is also the team and project manager of Michael Martin Productions, started the event in 2003 to bring the community together and build excitement in anticipation of the upcoming ski season.

A scene from Alegre, Alaska, in Teton Gravity Research new film, “Far Out.” (Courtesy photo)

The Steamboat Mountain Film Festival also is a way to showcase work by local filmmakers, selected based on the film’s originality, quality of production and storyline. The film submission deadline is Oct. 15 and is open to all.

“We are always on the lookout for the next great filmmaker and love to support Steamboat,” Martin said. “So if anyone is on the fence, take advantage of the rainy weather and get those films finished.”

Tickets for the Friday showing are $20 and are available at the door or online at ChiefTheater.com.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1