The Challenge

Outdoor recreation has exploded in popularity, and the conservation of our most cherished wild places face new and unprecedented challenges. In Grand Teton National Park, ongoing field research suggests that backcountry skiers and snowboarders are threatening an iconic herd of Bighorn sheep.

Orijin director and filmmaker Zach Montes was tasked with communicating the direct threat that backcountry users posed to the native Bighorn Sheep without enraging a historically passionate user base. Enter: Denizens of the Steep, a short film championed by backcountry skiers and conservationists alike.

Utilizing our expertise in film and backcountry travel, Orijin Media produced and executed over 5 days of backcountry ski shoots, 20+ interviews, and created a powerful, relevant storytelling tool for the several private and public sponsors.