Skiing doc might leave Midwesterners cold

Because we live in the flatlands, extreme skiing seems like something only done by daredevil kids who live in the mountains.

This inability to relate might be part of the reason "Steep" won't hold much allure for the average Midwestern movie-goer.

The documentary, about the history of extreme skiing, tells the stories of the early pioneers and their constant search for even bigger thrills. By the end of the movie, the spotlight is on a guy who does somersault ski jumps off remote cliffs and lands with a parachute.

The photography is beautiful, and each well-told story has a slightly different twist; many get told by the skiers themselves. But after a while, the stories and footage get monotonous and the film becomes about exciting as a run down Wisconsin's Wilmot Mountain.

About half the movie consists of footage of people whooshing through the snow. Sometimes the camera captures the difficulty and speed, and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, it's a drag.

The stories are filled with "It's all about the powder, man!" quotes and sentiments, yet "Steep" is not a skier-dude movie that showcases extreme stunts. Rather, it's a more dignified, historical look at the sport, and that alone makes it interesting.

The first featured skier is Bill Briggs, the first American to attempt a ski run that people said couldn't be done. In 1971, he went off-trail down the Grand Teton in Wyoming, avoiding an avalanche. His daring trek inspired other thrill-seeking Americans to venture into "the unskied world."

As the movie progresses -- telling stories of skiers on various mountains around the world -- the stunts become more daring and dangerous. But, as one extreme skier puts it: "The closer you come to death, the more you are alive."

Whether you agree with that statement or not, "Steep" introduces you to some interesting characters. If it doesn't inspire, at least it will educate.

"Steep"

2 stars out of four

Opens today

Ingrid Backstrom as Herself

Anselme Baud as Himself

Bill Briggs as Himself

Doug Coombs as Himself

Chris Davenport as Himself

Stefano De Benedetti as Himself

Written by Adetoro Makinde and Mark Obenhaus. Produced by Jordan Kronick. Directed by Mark Obenhaus. A Sony Pictures Classics release. At the Music Box, Chicago. Rated PG. Running time: 92 minutes.