Paha Sapa The Skier's Journey

Follow Lakota skier Connor Ryan across his homeland in search of backcountry ski potential, and discover the Black Hills ski community of South Dakota, set to the soundtrack of regional musician Supaman.
This is the first ever film on backcountry skiing in the Black Hills (aka Paha Sapa) of South Dakota and buttes of Nebraska. This film is part of the Skiing States Series by Mike Whelan. Learn about Natives Outdoors with Len Necefer and discover the beauty of the plains and little-known parks and national forests. This film is "Skiing States South Dakota and Nebraska" or Episode 5 in the Skiing States Series.
Hear from Black Hills backcountry founders Kevin Forrester and Brent Kertzman who explored the national forest and state forests with early tele and alpine gear. See beautiful footage of nationally unknown parks and landscapes as well as familiar areas like the Mount Rushmore area. This fast-moving journey gives a sample of skiing in the plains and catches a primo powder day in the Black Hills with Brent.
Locations in this film:
Nebraska National Forest
Chadron State Park
Chimney Rock National Historic Site
Scott’s Bluff National Monument
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area
Toadstool Geologic Park
Black Hills National Forest
The soundtrack from this film in this order:
"Ethnocide" by Supaman feat. Walking Buffalo
"Let em go" by Supaman
"Miracle" by Supaman and Maimouna Youssef
"Sky World" by Bear Fox and performed by Teio Swathe
"Prayer Loop Song" by Supaman
"Warrior's Prayer" by Nakoa Heavy Runner
Includes skiing on Black Elk Peak, Terry Peak, and other undisclosed locations in the Black Hills.
Connected social media:
Treasured Heights videos:
IN: @ski_treasuredheights
FB: SkiTreasuredHeights/
Connor Ryan
IN: @sacredstoke
Natives Outdoors:
IN: @nativesoutdoors
FB: nativesoutdoors/

[@desviz]

RESPECT from the Pacific Northwest! Well done!

[@jeremyutz2260]

I saw connor on the fifty project skiing mt tuk! Awesome video, awesome music, inspiring!

[@keeganpeet6309]

This video was amazing. There was a perfect blend of education and skiing. I love how much culture you guys incorporated into the film. This was such a cool idea, and it was executed well. Thank you so much!!!!

[@davidwillis4223]

That was wonderful. Thank you.

[@stan4now]

Thank You for this great film. We live in a stolen land we can never give back. But we can never forget what happened and why, as you wisely said, Connor. At least Winter Park listened to you. Surely more will. And implement better pollution controls, snowmaking and avalanche mitigation. We need to honor Mother Earth and her native people more than ever with the climate catastrophe we're faced with. I learned long ago to always ask permission before venturing into the backcountry. And to bring offerings. It was a little over 30 years ago in the silence and solitude of the White River National Forest near Vail Colorado west of 24, when I heard voices, not in my head, but nearby, sounding like a small group of men talking. I skied in their direction but then they stopped. I kept going but couldn't find any trace of anyone nearby. I should've stayed where I was and tried to understand what they were saying. I didn't know. I'd never encountered the voices of native spirits before. A certain respect and care are necessary. Prayer and Meditation makes that possible. You set a good example. A voice once asked me, "What makes life possible?" We can never forget we're just passing through. And to do what we can while we can, to make this world a better place, like you, Connor. A shaman I know who rides the horse backwards, said great change is coming. I was reminded of that while remembering the Wounded Knee Massacre. There is great truth to the prophecies of the Ghost Dancer Wovoka. And yet, some 300 Lakota men, women and children were killed. The Wounded Knee Massacre: Čhaŋkpé Ópi Wakpála - Wounded Knee Creek - 1890 (HD) (HD) - KZbin (11:59) "The Ghost Dance was associated with Wovoka's prophecy of an end to colonial expansion while preaching goals of clean living, an honest life, ... ‎Ghost Dance War · ‎Wovoka · ‎Kicking Bear Caddo" (excerpt from James Mooney, The Ghost Dance Religion and Wounded Knee)

[@mtadams2009]

Great video thanks so much

[@peterwatrous1146]

Beautiful photography, as with all the Treasured Heights videos. It's amazing they could find any place to ski in those rocky, craggy peaks.

[@nathaniellesch-huie3909]

that was beautiful

[@skipast75]

Awesome 👏🏽. That air into the run was huge! And you stomped it, Well done. I always wondered if there was any bc around the black hills. Looks legit when it snows.

[@laraholy]

thank you

[@Wahcawatoglawin]

My instructor was in his 80s... dropped some knowledge ... (stolen from indigenous..🤫) 🤪 He was kewl😎

[@TheBrian1214]

Great video! I wanna know about the secret honey holes

[@TreasuredHeights]

A ha, well that is the hard part.

[@TheBrian1214]

I’m in rapid just did 60 days at terry peak this szn.want them big cliffs

[@cdot518official3]

r u going to ski alaskas highest peak?

[@TreasuredHeights]

Some June when the conditions are right, each year there is a lot going on so it has to be planned in advance. Next year is already booked with Granite Peak MT retry, Mt Whitney retry and another, so conditions have to be right for a complete descent and it can take a few years, a few tries.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

Not an amazing ski film, but interesting nonetheless. Would love to see and hear more of the footage from their adventures. Too bad Black Elk Peak sits in CUSTER State Park. That one really needs a name change. Online petition?

[@TreasuredHeights]

Not sure how they will get it changed but hopefully they do. Real ski films require a lot of money and more time and more help, so this is stuck in between a private trip and a planned, funded film project. More footage is on this channel of other state high points.