Thank you Stept Productions

Absolutely amazing. I dream of finding such a interesting story like that and filming it. I've been waiting a while to see this and I wasn't let down in one bit! This man is a true legend to skiing and has some of the coolest skiing memorabilia around today! AMEN STEPT

What a stud

Oldest ski shop in America must have the most tried and true business model - sell skis.... and beer!

I agree 100%. It's really great to see people appreciated like this. Joe really embodies what I believe to be the true American spirit.

Yeah i actually just watched this today, loved it

Awesome.

That got me more hyped for winter than any edit I've watched in the last 3 weeks

Agreed 130% jlev

Way to go, Stept! This is what we need to see more of. Well done!

100% agree, this is a great piece of history and Americana

So great to see stuff like this especially so well done.

Absolutely fantastic thank you Stept!

stept

stept is leading the charge of combining real cinema and skiing

Bringing it back to the roots, I love it

omckee100% agree, this is a great piece of history and Americana

That shop is lookin' tight. Exactly how a shop should look.

hi

dammm this guy essentially owns the town of littleton NH, there are so many Lahout stores there, seems like a pretty chill dude

Always love stepts projects

JLevI know the challenge is always financing projects like this, maybe you've figured out a new formula? Steve Rozendaal tried but financing dried up for his "Lifted" series on Vice.

I mean one of the main challenges here is brands new unwillingness to actually spend real money on Advertising. If brands were willing to buy banners and pre-roll - and actually spend real money on it - then you wouldn't have a problem raising funds for something like this.

The problem is that many brands wish to purchase email list growth, advertorial, or pay for something that integrates their marketing directly into the content. Its almost impossible to launch a video project which doesn't cover brand athletes and subsequently charge that brand for the athlete exposure. As such, the ability to be free-form and cover the 'right' things is extremely limited.

When you keep advertising simply as advertising - then you have the freedom to create the content you want. It requires brands to accept that they buy a share of advertising, and that they will take responsibility if their ad creative doesn't work.

However, unless you J-Lev right here and right now tell me that if we start producing content like this that you'd dump all your cash into pre-roll vs. buyers guides / advertorial and facebook advertising.... then I'm at a loss for how to do it.

The only other way would be to start up a subscription model, where the end consumer is willing to directly contribute money for content they'd like to see. That comes down to the average NSer - because if we separate the transaction of money from the brands, then you could get whatever you'd want. This is how Netflix is making so much cool stuff.

I don't know the business model behind this specific video that Stept has done, but most of their projects this year have been under the 'content marketing' spend that brands are willing to do. The brand engages the content, and Stept makes it good while ticking off the boxes of sponsorship.

this is EXACTLY what our sport needs... so tired of the "TMZ" headline crap that has been stirring it's way since the Olympics. skiers are individuals, and there are many stories to be told and inspiration to be shared... it isn't always about budget (think WHILE WE CAN) as when you see the passion coming from what is real, doesn't matter how much $ was spent.

on the flip, now we have such bullshit as APRES SKI, and this "new" discovery of every aspect of our athletes, along with this social media driven society creates this poorly portrayed image of our sport... wishing that it would go back to our roots is that, just a wish. there is too much money involved and will only grow stronger, even if the industry grows weaker.

on a personal side, i finished the season out working with candide, and after what i witnessed, skiing is about to be saved... AGAIN!!

thanks again j!! every collab ski (just saw the INSPIRED skis with iberg) has been on point and you are a very big part of the history of this sport, we love hearing from you man!!

skye

As Skye said above...things like this video, "While We Can" (Imaginary Trace), "Few Words" and apparently Candide's new film, Nimbus, Inspired, and Stept are all run by people with the right minds that can lead our sport in the best direction possible (whatever that may be). When companies and passions come in line like this together, amazing things happen - stories, inspiration, growth for all things in life, not just skiing.

Going back to this video, the biggest take away for me is to respect your elders and support small shops and companies (listed above) that actually have their heart and soul into skiing.