The North Face Presents: DESCENDANCE

Dennis Ranalter is one of the world's most respected freeride skiers, his playful style and technical ability earning him a wide fan base and the widely used moniker: D-RAN.
Yet away from a name that showcases his self-assurance on the steep slopes of Austria, Dennis’s struggles with identity run deep. At its heart, the question of race and what it means to be black in a sport that remains predominantly and conspicuously white.
Descendance is Dennis’s story, a personal journey of self-exploration that examines his relationship with his own skin colour, with those closest to him and all those who share his love of skiing.
It’s a journey that takes him from his home valley in Austria to Accra, the capital of Ghana, shining a light on the power of family along the way.
Produced by: Legs of Steel
Directed by: Michael Haunschmidt
Co-Directed by: Mathias Kögel
Executive Producer & Content Developer: Phil Young
Principal Cinematography & Editing by: Michael Haunschmidt & Mathias Kögel
Music & Sound Design: Matthias Müller
Color Grading: Manuel Portschy
Art Direction & Animations: Fabian Fuchs

[@nicolegilbert8450]

I can’t express to you how much it means that you guys continue to show up for people that look like me in spaces that unfortunately a lot of us have been conditioned to believe we don’t belong or it’s not for us! Thank you!

[@JimBoFilms]

this is one of the best films i’ve ever watched presented by the north face. plain & simple. as a bipoc climber who grew up not even knowing climbing existed, or any of the possibilities of a future outside of where i lived, with the idea that i was just to end up living the same life that the people i saw around me did, this film speaks volumes. happy to be where i am. happy to be who i am. thank you.

[@ohmygosch]

FINALLY a ski film with substance and a story!! This suits The North Face brand so well. Please continue this docu style to ski films!

[@downdaysTV]

What a masterful piece. Dennis, it took real courage to open yourself up to the world like this, and we are all better off for it. Thank you for that!

[@kode6285]

What a movie. What a message. What a skier. What a role model

[@oldtommorris5502]

i didnt wanta cry. i did. Excellent! Dran the man, I'll be showing this doc in my class.

[@willseverson3219]

Im not even 10 minutes in and this is the best piece of media ive seen in a very long time. Congrats to everyone involved this is a piece of art

[@GoProSnow]

It's a pleasure to meet you D Ran. Thank you for sharing.🙏 Keep Ripping.🤘

[@benpoechman]

Such an impactful and transformational journey this film is! Thank you for sharing your such depths of yourself with the world Dennis. Love you bro!! And hats off to the crew, incredible job! The entire film was so well done. And lastly big shout out to TNF for supporting projects like these, that are so critical to the preservation & development of the outdoor culture.

[@FRAMESLerjen]

The way this ski film was produced could change the entire ski film industry. Once again something new from LOS. Love it! Chapeau to the whole team!

[@dreweflin]

Amazing story, incredible skier. 👏👏👏

[@iriejefferson3614]

Thank you D-Ran, this brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. I'm so grateful for your words, and to know that there are others like me. I'm constantly dealing with the same reality so thank you for making me feel not alone. Bigups and love

[@Localmax25]

Woah!!!! Outstanding film. Lots of respect for you Dennis. The courage and open mind inspires me in many ways!! Also you absolutely rip its a pleasure to watch you ski.

[@scottgaffney7879]

Thank you Dennis, thank you LOS and thank you TNF. Exceptional job on an exceptional individual.

[@kokakaja2009]

Thank you The North Face for sharing this beautiful story! :)

[@mikhailbeloglazov3826]

This is absolutely insane! Thank you Dennis and the whole production team who helped to share such a powerful story!

[@morganshields2739]

This is an awesome story! So good!

[@ckvoelke]

D-RAN FOR PRESIDENT!! Was a pleasure to be able to get a shot!!!!

[@veronicapaulsen]

absolutely incredible.

[@PhilippBunge]

What an amazing video. Thank you so much for making this. I can only imagine how scary it must have been at first. I hope that one day we can live in a world where the color of your skin, your gender or who you love doesn't matter, but that we can all appreciate each other for the amazing and inspiring humans that we are.

[@danishredhead9538]

Big up Brother !!! One Love 🇦🇹🇬🇭 Much Respect to open your heart for all of us. guess i had a similar storry of live ✌

[@xabibel]

Everything about this is just BEAUTIFUL.

[@Magic-Pieti]

Amazing! 🙏

[@snowleader]

What an amazing story, this is a movie we will remember for a long time. 💭 Thank you !

[@packingadventures]

Beautiful work, thanks guys! ❤

[@alessiozanardini]

awesome!!!Great story!!! Tanks Dennis 🤟🤙💪

[@joannewijnands2684]

Beautiful, thank you🙏

[@ilucitlali4707]

Thank you for this film! Would love to see more of this, dealing with diversity...so important to address this!

[@simonwidauer5753]

what a great movie! thank you for sharing your story in such a relatable and honest way, it had a deeply moving impact on me. one love!

[@lukebohemian]

A very moving film. You can see his change of energy at the end ❤

[@vinid4769]

Stabiler Film D-Ran 🔥

[@SB539]

Such an amazing piece Dennis! Well done

[@ThaMiiqo]

Thank you Dennis!

[@GoodCompanySki]

Amazing work Dennis and team! 🎉👏

[@justinburgan]

really powerful art & story

[@evamariagutierrezacedo410]

what a video!!!

[@johnemilgaup]

i can't lie, i cried what a masterpiece

[@MuhammedMikailFarooqui]

This was truly a beautiful video.

[@maximaxi0401]

Stork Dennis!! 💪💪💪

[@pommedapi3847]

The production quality is impressive. great work

[@ufudhdhghudusua5691]

Wonderful, wunderbar

[@giacomo_altripiani]

This is an awesome story! 😍

[@stacklerer]

stay true to yourself and continue on your path. U rock it, love ya bro

[@whitehornet.productions]

Great film!

[@mikepearse5113]

Love your work.

[@schuceli]

this is soooo good

[@quellenpfad8817]

Thank you!

[@sendersepp7266]

Beautiful Human being.

[@maewill3651]

♥️♥️♥️ beautiful

[@Staplendend]

Inspiring!

[@flavordave6949]

Michi ich liebe dich❤waun foa ma wieder Panorama Ultra? 🚲

[@tritondriver1]

Awesome

[@orravalb]

Firrrrrrrrrrrrst !!!!! 😆😆

[@CraigWeazyDavisMurray]

Hero

[@RandomActsOfMusic1]

Beautiful film. I am sorry that the world has persecuted you because of peoples racism and bias, both systemic and interpersonal. I am thankful you somehow manage to find the strength to persevere. I am uncertain if I could find the reservoir that you have, but I wish you would never have had to. Thank you for your movement, incredible riding, beautiful cinematography.

[@cyclops4690]

mega

[@Cheese18221]

I love north face i bought it but not fromhere

[@edvamakan1306]

Bruuuuutal. Nu nie sowos geiles gseng

[@marstl8739]

Great Movie! But can you please wear a helmet, I am worrying just looking at the video 🫣

[@Mynameismud-p5t]

Bisch a Tirola...

[@robs7798]

Whoa! Is that a black guy?? But North Face says no blacks go outdoors? 🤔

[@eric5234]

There's over 1 BILLION Africans and less than 500 million Europeans. What's stopping the Africans so ski in Kilimanjaro? Very "cool" and "edgy" of you North Face to do a video like this.

[@catdaddies]

mind blowing free-skiing with a truly impactful story

[@alexguiseppe]

best skier in the world right now

[@joannewijnands2684]

Beautiful, thank you🙏