Jonny Moseley
For decades the arrival of the annual Warren Miller ski movie has ignited the dreams and imagination of everyone who loves to slide on the snow, whether on skis, boards or their derrière. Its annual release in late fall traditionally marks the start of winter for many winter sports aficionados.
It was sixty years ago that Warren, on a pair of wooden boards, went out with his 8mm movie camera to film his friends and forever changed the face of pre-season fantasies of weekend warriors and ski bums waiting anxiously for the first flakes to fly. Back in the day his movies were spirited, a bit wobbly, amusing and fun. He profiled hot shots as well as the average (or below average) klutz trying to navigate rope tows, T-bars and rudimentary chair lifts. Over the years the quality of cinematography improved dramatically, as did the caliber of skier/boarder athletes and lift technology. He always kept a segment for the less coordinated skiers to keep it real, and infused his home-grown narration with good humor and perpetual optimism. His distinctive voice will long be recognized as an icon of the industry as he used to narrate the film and make numerous personal appearances at various venues.
In 1988 Warren handed the reins of the Warren Miller Entertainment empire to his son, Kurt Miller, and no longer narrates. Kurt later sold the company to Time, Inc, and the last few years the movie has been a fast paced, slick production pulsing with pop music and has, perhaps, lost a bit of the personal touch the Miller’s brought, but remains popular and well received.
Now we have a new icon of the ski world narrating—Jonny Moseley, winner of the Mogul Skiing Olympic gold medal in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Since winning the gold medal Jonny continued competing in pro events, participated in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, filmed ski movies and developed a video game and hosted “Snow Zone with Jonny Moseley” for Fox Sports Net. He continues to do his weekly radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio, TV work and is Chief Mountain Host at Squaw Valley.
Last year Jonny Moseley was present at the San Francisco showing of the Warren Miller movie he narrated, Children of Winter, freely signing autographs and chatting amiably with the crowd. Admitting that he had a few misgivings about following in Warren’s footsteps he gamely jumped in to do a credible job narrating his first year. While not yet completely at ease in his new role, he did offer enthusiasm and sincerity as he described the segments featuring daring stunts, stunning cinematography, graceful turns, hair-raising close calls and enough inspiration for armchair athletes everywhere to imagine what might be possible.
Warren Miller’s Dynasty limited release tour will stop in over 240 US cities, including Reno on November 20, 2009 at the Reno Events Center and more than a dozen sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco venues include the Palace of Fine Arts on November 10, 11 and Castro Theater on November 12, 2009. It plays at the Marin Veteran’s Memorial Theater on November 21. See schedule for more information. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
