well-being film & conversation night

Friday, January 13th | 6 PM | Our Lady of the Snows | Free

This event will be a time to listen to stories of mental health and healing. We’ll be playing two important films made in the past year about mental health among skiers. Following the films, local photographer & skier John Shafer will be sharing his story of struggle, grief, and healing.

The first is Bloom by Sierra Schlag. Bloom follows the life of Sierra Schlag as she navigates the world after losing her father on 9/11. As Sierra matures, she explores her grief and identity as a Japanese-American and finds herself under the cloak of depression. While she navigates these complexities, Sierra finds a way to connect with her dad and heal through skiing. “Grow forward towards the light to bloom.”

The second film is The Mountain in My Mind by John Padilla. This breakthrough film is the first of its kind to interview skiers across the "Suicide Belt" in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. Topics include: suicide, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, sexual assault, substance abuse, domestic abuse, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, etc. Local ACE employee and Alta skier Clare Chapman is one of the athletes interviewed.