Usually, when I'm analyzing the ski industry, I'm looking at flex ratings, effective edge lengths, or the gram-counting wars of touring bindings. But every now and then, a creator forces us to step back and analyze the "soft specs" of our sport—the narrative and the vision.
Mallory Duncan is one of those creators.
As a former product designer, I appreciate when someone takes existing components and assembles them into something entirely new. Duncan, an award-winning filmmaker and skier, has done exactly that with his latest release, Lines.
The Film: 'Lines' – A Technical Breakdown
Unlike the standard "ski porn" formula (slow-mo powder shot > high-five > repeat), Duncan’s 8-minute experimental short is a study in process. Directed by Josh Goldsmith, the film draws a distinct parallel between two seemingly disparate disciplines: technical backcountry skiing and lyrical composition.
The film intercuts Duncan’s skiing in the Eastern Sierra and Lake Tahoe with scenes of Seattle rapper Chima the Stubborn. The thesis is clear: the preparation required to drop a technical line in the backcountry mirrors the iterative frustration and flow of writing a verse. Both require visualization, rhythm, and the willingness to fail before executing the final product.
The "Specs" of the Artist
Duncan isn't new to disrupting the standard output. His previous work, The Blackcountry Journal, won "Best Film" at the Banff Film Festival - Snow Sports. That project explored the intersection of jazz, spoken word, and his identity as a Black man from Oakland navigating the ski industry.
From an analyst's perspective, Duncan's value proposition is his ability to blend high-performance skiing with cultural elements often excluded from the mountain narrative—specifically barbershop culture and hip-hop—without it feeling forced. It feels like a natural evolution of the sport's culture.
Gear Check: The Sierra Setup
Watching Lines, one thing becomes obvious to the gear nerd in me: the terrain dictates the equipment. Filming in the Eastern Sierra and Tahoe backcountry requires a setup that balances uphill efficiency with downhill stability. The snowpack here is variable—ranging from bulletproof wind-buff to deep Sierra cement.
If you are looking to emulate the style of riding seen in Lines—blending freestyle creativity with big mountain touring—here is the equipment profile you need to be looking at:
- Freeride Touring Skis (105-115mm underfoot): You need enough width for float but enough camber for the variable Sierra snow. Duncan rides 4FRNT, but for a widely available alternative with similar playfulness, look at the Atomic Bent 110 Skis. The twin-tip shape allows for the creative expression Duncan showcases.
- Hybrid Bindings: To ski aggressively in the backcountry, you need a binding that releases reliably. The Salomon Shift 13 MN Binding is the industry standard for skiers who want to tour up but ski down like they're in a resort.
- Technical Outerwear: The Sierra creates a unique weather microclimate. It’s often warmer than the Rockies but wetter. A breathable shell is non-negotiable. I recommend the Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket for its durability against tree branches and rock abrasion common in high-alpine scrambles.
- Safety Essentials: The film highlights the mental preparation of backcountry travel. Never enter these zones without a beacon, shovel, and probe. The BCA Tracker 4 Beacon is a reliable workhorse for this environment.
Why This Matters
In a market saturated with adrenaline-focused content, Duncan's work provides a necessary counterbalance. It reminds us that skiing is as much about the mental architecture—the "lines" we draw in our heads—as it is about the physical descent. Whether you're writing 16 bars or scouting a couloir, the process remains the same: visualize, prepare, drop in.
Source: Powder Magazine
