In her latest film "The Joy of Skiing", the Swedish skier Malou Peterson takes us to the most beautiful wilderness slopes in Sweden, Canada and Greenland. The Smartwool rider explains the process of creating this film and the need to be well equipped for such expeditions.
What was the main idea when you decided to make this film?
I wanted to capture the different aspects of skiing that I love... Nothing complicated, the goal was mostly to show the joy that skiing brings me. I love to ride in the powder with friends, but I also love to explore new places and new cultures. Sometimes, even if the spot isn't perfect, it's the trip that's worth remembering. I also wanted to share in the film the love I have for my home spot in northern Sweden. It's where I grew up.
And why the choice of Canada and Greenland?
I've spent the last six winters in Canada, and the snow and spots there are really special. That's where I fell in love with freeride skiing, so it was an obvious choice to include it in the story. Greenland was a dream trip for me. The first time I saw it was from the window of a plane taking me from Sweden to Canada. It is so isolated, massive mountains and only a few people living there. I had to go there.
One can imagine that shooting in Greenland was not easy?
The logistics of shooting in Greenland were indeed a real challenge. Three of our flights were delayed by several days and we were stranded in cities without any equipment. Our food and camping gear were not on the plane! But there is no adventure without problems, and finally the trip turned out to be much more interesting with all that happened.
What was the most difficult part of the shoot?
The hardest thing was to have good light, good snow, optimal safety and my desire to ski at the highest level. We engaged daily in long days of ski touring in the mountains. During these outings, the body is put to the test. But when it all lines up... It's the most magical thing ever!
Why did you choose to add an artistic touch to your film with the artist Jonas Draws?
I love art, and I think skiing is art in many ways... And I love Jonas' art that reminds me of how I want to live my life. Skiing, surfing, camping, being surrounded by friends in nature... It all inspires me.
How did Smartwool products help you in these expeditions?
It was cold on all the spots we shot, especially in Greenland and Sweden where it can be very windy and freezing cold. Having a warm base layer and merino wool socks is very important. We spent a lot of time filming on sailboats and in small mountain huts. The fact that base layers don't release odor was also a plus for this kind of adventure. Merino wool is truly a magical material.
What is your equipment Smartwool preferred?
This winter I loved the Intraknit base layer set, it's so comfortable, I can't recommend them enough.
About Smartwool
Since its inception in 1994, Smartwool has been targeting outdoor enthusiasts and producing socks that allow them to ski longer. A credo that the American brand has kept until now, relying mainly on the exceptional properties of merino wool. Soft, odorless, moisture-wicking and perfectly regulating body temperature, this renewable material has its place in the high-performance ski socks that Smartwool was the first to bring to the market. From now on, the brand's socks and clothing are designed with a part of recycled wool.
"We gather reclaimed wool fibers and high quality Merino 250 wool scraps, process them and make new recycled material that we use in our batting and insulation," Smartwool details. This recycled wool helps reduce carbon emissions linked to the methane produced by sheep. More globally, Smartwool is working on the regeneration of wool and is invested in the ZQRX program developed by the New Zealand Merino Company. ZQ certified wool is based on five pillars: animal welfare, product sustainability, fiber quality, traceability at source and social responsibility.
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