RIP Warren Miller: From a Skier and Storyteller
When I first heard Warren Miller died, I wanted to go skiing. It seemed appropriate.
My friend and colleague Julian Williams, a non-skier, was the one who broke the new to me (see his blog on Warren Miller here). But Julian (like myself), is and always will be mesmerized by someone with passion and vision. It is only now in hindsight that I recognize the ways Warren Miller helped influence a good portion of my boyhood life…. Through his quest to share beautiful images of something he loved with all his heart.
My exposure to Warren’s work began when I was in my early teens. By then a decent skier but no where up to the majesty of what Warren brought to the screen.
I even saw him narrate one of his amazing films at a theater in Hartford, CT in person — I had seen his other movies and they inspired me to dream. The imagery was magical … like a large drug trip for the ski and snow addict. And his voice, brought me on a story. At times, laughing and at other times speechless with awe at what he created. The skiers in his movies became my heroes. Scott Schmidt was my favorite, with his leaps off of inconceivably high cliffs. And somehow… he’d not only survive… but ski out of the ridiculous landing.
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Berkshire East, Massachusetts — Late 1980’s – does anyone do a daffy anymore?
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Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire – Late 1980’s – Steep! Don’t lean back.
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Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire – Late 1980’s – I remember those turns like yesterday. Pure Joy!
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Doing My Best Scott Schmidt Impression in my mid-teens.
Killington, Vt – lower Cascade — late 1980’s
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So now I sit in my home in Florida, miles away from the snow and cold weather, dreaming of my next big snowy adventure, where I will once again go on that spiritual journey for the perfect turn … on the perfect mountain… on the perfect day.
The addiction that I shared with Warren Miller still runs deep. I have even shared it with my kids. Now they look for big air and perfect snow… and every image I capture on a camera or in my mind of them … Warren Miller truly is there … for he helped me dream it well before I could actually do it!
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Mad River Glen, VT – Fall Line with my son.
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Mad River Glen, VT — top of Catamount with my son.
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Ski Sundown, CT — My daughter gets air.
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Ski Sundown, CT — My son gets some air.
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Killington, VT – top of Cascade with my wife and kids.
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Mad River Glen, VT — the old single chairlift at the best mountain in America!
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About the Author: Glenn Zimmerman
Glenn has what is best described as “Superhero Syndrome.” His affliction began as a child and has progressed with age.
He got into extreme skiing and extreme sports before they were a thing because every superhero should try flying at least once.
While at Boston University, it was his desire to save the day that brought him to Post- Soviet Russia where he explored the emerging homeless population.
His Syndrome brought him to journalism school at Syracuse University to get his MS in Mass Communications. He later became an award winning reporter with the number one station in Detroit (WXYZ-TV) and with NBC’s flagship station in New York (WNBC- TV).
And, it was the reason he formed the video agency Mad Bear Productions.
With Mad Bear, he harnesses the power of story to help business, non-profits and events engage with their target audience. Video is his tool and he wields it mightily.
Glenn is a sought after speaker on video engagement and mass media.
It is all part of his quest to help save the day, one story at a time.
