Skiing as an art form

Sinners

Directed by Bill Heath

DVD from www.bhandf.com, $27

Some people can’t wait for winter to end. For Bill Heath, it can’t last long enough. Which is why the former Warren Miller director/cameraman shot most of his stunning 25-minute ode to winter in lush slow motion.

Capturing every flake of snow before it falls to the ground, every wisp of frigid breath before it evaporates, Heath has produced the most visually remarkable ski film in years.

Over three seasons, he used his spare time and money to make a “winter home movie” around his home of Nelson, Canada.

Released without advertising last December, “Sinners” has gained word-of-mouth cult status with ethereal images and mountain film festival buzz. (It’s a finalist in the category of best film on mountain sports at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.)

There’s enough shoulder-deep powder and jaw-dropping stunts to keep the ski crowd hooting.

But the filmmaker’s aim is to transcend the genre with an arresting mix of cold-weather imagery, voices and music.

“It’s a contemplative thing meant to show the simplicity of skiing and the beauty of winter,” says Heath. If only all auteurs could nail their vision so coldly.

-- Chuck Thompson