The POLAR STAR - Full FILM - Ski Mountaineering in an Arctic Land of Giants - The FIFTY 45/50

[@Nikolai_Schirmer]

Looks like a world class couloir with world class skiers! Excited to watch

[@IrishDougal]

@@rikardtvedby3206I’d second that maybe Cody could come and do some Norwegian stuff once North America’s 50 have been ticked off!!!

[@connorhansen3226]

The collab we all know would be insane

[@samsinite100]

Pretty much watch every video from you and Cody. Would be awesome to see yourself, Cody, and Krister climb and ski/snowboard some stuff together.

[@kriskopa]

@@samsinite100 That would be sick!

[@sethfish8889]

new 50 and top side boys in the same day!

[@JGCook5]

Vivian'a one-liners are the best: "better one more piton than one less alpinist" and "we climb because we want to be at the top" - I'd love to hear more gems like this which didn't make the cut!

[@CodyTownsend]

There are a few other ski lines that didn’t even make the cut

[@robingremaud8966]

The first quote is from Georges Livanos

[@bethb7734]

we want all the outtakes!@@CodyTownsend

[@christopherorman5769]

I love that the objective was done 9 minutes in on a 44 minute video. Thanks Cody for bringing so much stoke to the skiing community.

[@CodyTownsend]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peaceinpowder]

Impossible not to have a huge smile by the end of this. Viv stole the show and really showcased how much each touring partner's personality affects the group morale especially when things get sketchy. So many creative anchors that are beyond mix climbing. What a pleasure to watch you all master so many unique features and be so incredibly calm while doing so. Big shouts to Bjarne for filming in such steep and at times dangerous conditions. A masterclass in short.

[@CodyTownsend]

It was an incredible team and was honored to learn so much and be so inspired by Vivian

[@bjarnebuilds]

Such a great experience to learn from Viv. He is a good person all around and one of the most skilled person in the mountains I personally met.

[@stevenette4738]

Do you know the name of that removable anchor they used? I have done similar in slot canyons, but not like this.

[@1519Spring]

​@stevenette4738 "Beal Escaper" is the name of that product.

[@SchmidtymeTimbers]

​@@CodyTownsendEpic lines, inspiring teamwork and incredible learning / good nuggets to carry forward as always. Love it! The climbing that looked full on was great to see too. Amazing leading by Viv - nice to see each of your in the moment reactions to the conditions. Quick glove question. I keep seeing y'all use the Hestra ergo - any particular model you prefer for touring conditions around Tahoe? So many varieties from active ergo to the much warmer incline, czone insert waterproof or not... 😵‍💫 Tough to decide on the right balance of dexterity and warmth

[@trippissocool]

I'm surprised that Cody and Bjarne haven't received some added recognition for their efforts, whether in the context of the athleticism or videography. The series finds a way to continually improve.

[@CodyTownsend]

We sort of have here and there, but ultimately I haven’t chased too many film festivals and award stuff with the Fifty. Just trying to make stories I want to tell and put them out to the world.

[@inqurious]

@@CodyTownsend maybe even the best way to make a lasting impression, since you’ve already got enough attention as far as I can tell. Eg this episode has an experimental narrative structure w the bait/switch of “oh hey we got the objective early, now what?” As a good show-not-tell about how mountain adventures aren’t objective driven but dialogues with whatever nature puts in front of you, that you may not have seen coming, either way.

[@stevenette4738]

@@inqurious I loved that they just busted out Polar Star in the first few minutes, then ski ridiculous 6ft wide shit for the rest. Time well spent.

[@puglet64]

I would add that Vivian deserves massive accolades. He is a legend in Cham, and across the Alps. I hope this collab brings him exposure in the Americas, so thank you @CodyTownsend and Bjarne for setting that up. I also hope he takes you down the Couloir Mallory some time…

[@CodyTownsend]

Thanks for noticing all that BD. It was so creative and unique storytelling we tried to pull off. It's two movies and two storylines in one so was a tough one to accomplish.

[@kevinmchugh1780]

That shot from the drone looking down the couloir was next level. Much respect to the entire team.

[@bjarnebuilds]

Thanks for noticing. Not easy but we been working many years together and know each other pretty well at this point to find the right moments.

[@adrianjfussell]

This was such a cool shot!!!

[@dhrracer]

As the drone crossed the top then peering down was top notch.

[@juniper1312x]

yeah that shot was breathtaking, so unbelievably steep! managed to capture that unlike any other movie i’ve seen

[@SimonJArthur]

@@bjarnebuilds That must have been one of the best cinematic shots I've ever seen. Beautiful filming!

[@theswissroadtocrypto]

masterclass in skiing, alpinisme, ski mountaineering and film making. best film in the '50' series

[@abigailhost75]

The Matriarch, wow! what a line, what a tribute! You guys are something else, it's beautiful to see the respect and wonder you have for all these places and the people you've skied alongside.

[@CodyTownsend]

Thank you

[@Whistler326]

Love your sentiments....Hilaree Nelson O'Neil is smiling down from heaven and I am sure one day....both sons will ski this line as a tribute to their mother!!

[@Francisco.Rizzuti]

Cody, you just made a MASTERPIECE right here! The 45th one. Not only the scenes, the ski, the place, the suspense... but the storytelling man... oh wow! You just stepped aside on the protagonism with humble and let us know who Vivian truly is. Thanks for this 45 minutes of pure enjoyment! THANKS Cody!!!!

[@TheGreatKrystoff]

Absolutely magnificent, the best Fifty episode yet! "I feel like Ueli Steck!" and "The Matriarch" hit me right in the feels, didn't expect that but that's a beautiful tribute. As always gorgeous cinematography from Bjarne, especially that last shot of the three of you looking up as the drone flies away from you. Really fantastic stuff! I've wanted to see more Baffin Island content for years ever since I saw some folks wingsuit base jumping in this area on veeerrry early youtube, and this delivers so hard

[@bjarnebuilds]

Thank you very much. Glad you like it and noticing the extra camera work, means a lot.

[@tgbuckley482]

Loving Cody's unintentional French accent imitation

[@TheJDoyle42]

Bjarne I don't tihnk I've seen you have more fun than when you went through that extreme little tunnel @@bjarnebuilds

[@bjarnebuilds]

@@TheJDoyle42 It felt like being a little kid again

[@RenoCash33]

Yaasss. The "Matriarch" wrecked me in the best way.

[@angelbori]

'let's go have a look' proceeds to climb and ski the raddest stuff on earth. bravo gents!

[@CodyTownsend]

Merci my friend.

[@nickdayton1777]

Loved the Matriarch surprise. Viv is scary good at ski mountaineering. Best episode by far

[@CodyTownsend]

Ridiculously good. I’m so inspired by him

[@dFrame06]

And that side hit / air ... I need to see this on a big screen

[@KMF451]

Absolutely one of the best ski films I've ever seen. From Cody's endless stoke to Bjarne's amazing camera work and Vivian's knowledge, energy and passion. Truly the best ski film of the year and 110% the best 50 episode. Cannot wait to see more from this incredible team. Bravo!

[@CodyTownsend]

Wow, thank you.

[@bethb7734]

110% best of the Fifty episodes yet. The commentary at the end about who Vivian is brought a lump to my throat as I watched him teach skiing to a newbie...huge grins and all! Kudos, Biarne and Cody.

[@steveberthel7685]

Wow Cody! This episode was so freaking good...I've been waiting for this line for the duration of these episodes! I am blown away by your total lack of ego and your lessons to all ski tourers and mountaineers that it's okay to turn around and come back another time. Bjarne is probably the most underrated alpinist in the world. He has been a stabilizing factor in every episode, he is an amazing camera man, and Swedish, like me. 5 more episodes., I can't wait!!

[@meditateandcontemplate7425]

He is

[@yZstarAk1979]

I like how that Mountain Hardwear Trango holds up to the high winds also. Makes me feel better about the purchase/weight;) Invaluable footage really

[@CodyTownsend]

Yeah it’s a bomber tent, granted our SlingFin WindSabers held up incredibly well at half the weight too. It was the dome that got worked

[@yZstarAk1979]

@@CodyTownsend Yea, I'm looking at those now...Xmas gift to Self ? Thanks Cody🤙

When I first learned one of the lines was in Baffin, I was so excited to see how you guys would pull it off, and I was not disappointed! With Viv's mountaineering skills, Bjarne's cinematography skills, and Cody's storytelling skills, the 3 of you made a pefect team. Thanks for showcasing these lines and the stunning beauty of Baffin!

[@TheRieft]

I've watched almost the whole FIFTY with my kids. My 4 year old son always asks, "he skis, why do we snowboard?" and "is that OUR mountain?". Which leads to funny conversations around growing up in California in the 90s and these not taking place at our now local mountain, Brighton. My 2 year old daughter absolutely loves the hiking/climbing parts and takes naps during skiing and monologues. So to Cody and the whole team, thanks for giving me a great off-season way to bond around winter sports with my family, all the while avoiding more Cocomelon and Bluey.

[@kieranpower5964]

Best one yet. What an awesome experience.

[@CodyTownsend]

Thank you..🙏🏼

[@EdmOil83]

Bjarne truly is the real hero of the fifty

[@cseher]

Wept openly when Bjarne thanked the mountain and made it safely. Thank you for sharing the stoke, and the sacred.

[@Whistler326]

This is one ...that I will watch countless times over and over because of its quality and of course the real time reactions in the mtns.....INSPIREs me to get out and ski and snowboard this season!!

[@CodyTownsend]

🙏🙏🙏

[@mke98765]

Too often climbing, skiing and misc. mountaineering content gets lost in slightly cringy attempts to provide some pretentious narrative frame. This episode goes for the angle beyond the immediate action - and nails it! What an excellent work of content this is. Cody, Bjarne and team succeed in treating and presenting alpinism better than most alpinism films. When they dabble in the personal interest angle - they do it better than most articles or biopics. This short epsiode gave me more added value on a mountain celebrity than did Herzog's documentary with Reinhold Messner. Bravo, and most of all thank you.

[@CodyTownsend]

Well thank you for taking the time to write out that incredibly kind commentary. So very appreciated.

[@InyoandWorm]

Vivian is the man, nothing beats hop turns on 50 degree + terrain. Another great watch, Thanks Cody!

[@pauljanssen3177]

That was your best yet Cody! To hear you screaming like a little girl with excitement brought a smile to my face. To hear Bjarne's solemn and humble request to the mountain in the Fiesta, brought tears to my eyes. Cheers!

[@matthewtraver2895]

There will never be a more convincing commercial showcasing the performance for the Petzel Gully than this video right here. lol Rad film. Love the Fifty Project. "We climb because we want to go to the top."

[@DiabloOutdoors]

This was an incredible adventure. Kudos to Cody, Vivian, Bjarne, and all the team. Amazing production, and Cody... not only you're a very good skier, but also a first rate class act. As for Vivi.. you're a true master of the mountain and, like Cody, a good example to follow.

[@CodyTownsend]

Thank you amigo. Much appreciated.

[@DiabloOutdoors]

@@CodyTownsend I'm currently watching all of your other videos and this makes me realize that I'm a ......much better skier than you. This, however until I wake up in the morning 😁 I wish you were making more movies because what you do is amazing and the editing is awesome! Cody #1. Miller #2

[@allieliebgott9853]

Amazing trip Cody. Thanks for sharing. I can't explain the fear you feel when you're really exposed on a mountain and the canons start firing. There's just NOTHING you can do but hunt for what little cover is available.

[@ianholl9100]

Matt Sheridan crushed the edit! So much fun to watch.

[@geoffharris3005]

Soo awesome, the adventure, the narration, amd of the camera work. This is whats missing in ski movies today. They dont all need to be hucking and loud music.

[@davidsmart3338]

I’ve watched this ep 3 times so far and I’m not done yet. My favorite ski movie. I love the technicality, the playfulness, the mastery, and the intrigue. Let’s go have a look. I’m 55, on the cusp of retiring, and I know exactly what I want to do in my remaining years…

[@CodyTownsend]

Thank you David. So very appreciated your kind words on the film.

[@olivier4667]

Cet épisode est sublime, une super team, des images tellement belles, bravo à Cody d'avoir crée cette chaine sur les 50 sommets à faire à ski. Cerise sur le gâteau il y a notre trésor national français Vivian Bruchez, tellement sage, tellement inspirant, tellement fort ! Bravo épisode magnifique.

[@user-tu1sm3sg2k]

Well done,Cody, Bjarne, and sick French dude! I've watched all of The 50 episodes and while, oddly, it took months to get to this one, I gotta say it's the best. Excellent job, and keep them coming.

[@mikemcintosh9933]

A guide who teaches guides, whose family has lived in the Chamonix valley since the 1600s. Sounds like a hero from a work of fiction. Once had a rock the size of a microwave oven appear silently out of the fog bounding down the Inter Glacier on Mt. Rainier straight at my rope team. Still gives me chills. There was absolutely nothing any of us could have done if it was our time in that moment.

[@CodyTownsend]

Seriously. It’s almost too good to be true. But it is!

[@suefenn7035]

I’ve watched them all and never been tempted to comment, but your love for each other and the mountains led me to tears. The Matriarch got me started and I never stopped. Thank you, so much fun to watch every episode

[@CodyTownsend]

You are so kind, thank you Sue. 🙏🏼

[@ZonDog]

That was epic Cody and Bjarne ! Thanks for amazing vidio!👍😎🇺🇸 Viviean was awsome.

[@patrickrochford466]

this is absolutely one of the best videos you have done what a magical place we need more like this from you thanks for all you do

[@kirkhwaltz]

So epic! I can’t wait for the Fifty’s err…Les cinquante I mean….special episode in Chamonix…

[@CodyTownsend]

A boy can dream. (that boy is me)

[@robroyle6012]

One of the best things I’ve ever watched! 👍

[@RadicalEarth]

Channeling Mr. Warren Miller on this one Cody, nice. Great story. That place looks epic.

[@tomllewellyn1018]

Yet again Cody and Bjorne and their amazing group of friends have not yet only set the standard of ski mountaineering in the America’s but the whole ski world! How f***ing radical is that! I take my hat off to you all!

[@tubetauk]

Vivian is a true master of the mountains. The confidence, composure, and intelligence in a new place like Baffin is remarkable.

[@ChristofMann-n9l]

I believe the best episode so far! Really enjoyed it - congratulations!

[@CodyTownsend]

Yay, thank you!

[@sockeyeboy]

I keep coming back to this for inspiration. I hope you continue to monitor the comments, Cody and Bjarne, as you are still inspiring skiers and outdoorists to be the best they can be. I am still slaying chutes and moguls at 65 and hope to continue on my quest to learn more and be better. See you on the North Face at Alyeska sometime? Let me know when you are going to be there. This segment was insane. So much respect

[@CodyTownsend]

I do keep up to date with the comments. Thank you for the kind words my man and see you on the North Face over the holidays. Will be up there with the fam then.

[@1234fastcar]

Best ski mountaineering film ever made

[@jewell84]

Love Vivan's super french stoke in the couloir, such a legend. Awesome movie what a way to end the day. Best one yet for sure.

[@SentinelIXK]

Cody, this is such a great film - well done to you and your whole team. You guys are such a positive force!

[@dimitrism7180]

Masterclass. Two of my favourite freeriders whos also one of them my favourite technician of ski mountaineering combined in one big ski project. Dream.

[@chrissegal4949]

I love watching something that quite literally moves me to tears of happiness and a little jealousy if I'm being honest. U guys are a true inspiration!!!

[@CodyTownsend]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@dimdropoff]

The storytelling is as beautiful as the images ❤

[@brianharder7714]

Well, that was more of a treat than I was expecting. I expected the skiing to be great and the lines breath-taking. But to find that the movie was really about the most inspirational steep skier to me was incredible. Vivian is as I always imagined him to be...genuine, supremely skilled and simply stoked to be in our favorite playground. Best one yet, boys. Well done.

[@svenball5384]

Rad lines with a rad team. Absolute champions league

[@Jay__EL]

Cody is the GOAT 🐐 🙌

[@sbutler66]

Was waiting for Nikolai to turn up, would love to see you guys team up on an adventure

[@rsuminsby]

Great episode, and always great to see Bjarne on camera. Producers, take note: Bjarne is like Cowbell. You can’t have too much!

[@kieranpower5964]

3am in Australia…. No better time to take a break from sleeping and watch this.

[@supertrampian]

I liked The Polar Star film very much, probably the best of all Fifty movies. Appreciate your work and all hail to Vivian, Let's go and have a look!

[@OhhBabyATriple]

What an episode. Vivian is a beast! The Fifty at it's best

[@ronbUtube]

All caught up, Cody! Been benge watching most night this 2023/2024 season. I'm only skiing the easier trade lines in San Juans and Wasatch so far. And at 69, the two to four miles in and out that I manage are adventures enough. So thanks for chronicling The Fifty, your fifty, for all of us to do such big objectives vicariously, having an inkling of what it takes to take them on. And great fliming, Bjarne.

[@sartian]

This was amazing ! Main objective looked incredible and it was done in the first few minutes of the video... World class ski alpinism all along. Great to see Vivian there too, he's a legend ! And Bjarne is on another level, we don't see him much on those videos but he keeps going up and down those lines while filming with you, incredible

[@flannelmanjim8062]

And the Oscar goes to... Well done! You had me grinning ear to ear, bravo.

[@CodyTownsend]

Merci! 🙏🏼

[@Eighty7Years]

Cody you have captured and shared true love of the mountains. This is one of your best!

[@GraemeChapman-d6z]

Incredible skiing and breathtaking scenery. The filming was truly outstanding. Vivian is amazing.😊

[@308bar]

Unbelieveable. Lines of the year!!! Ski documentry of the year!

[@bensutton522]

When I started watching the fifty I was blown away but this is the next level. Amazing to see viv, those flicked jump turns are so controlled. The cinematography is A thing of beauty. Thank you bjarne cody and viv.

[@kevinsmith-ii2zb]

Unbelievable.. the story telling, the skiing, the videography. The Fifty just gets better and better . Pioneers in the mountains and in content creation👏🏼 thanks you guys #matriarch ❤️

[@larsw.larsen4173]

A rainy day i Miami, well spend with Cody’s new episode😊

[@christofferschack1146]

Incredible to watch Viv take charge after the rockfall at the end. A true master of the mountains and an extraordinary guide. P.S loved the ending monologue

[@toml6192]

Allez les gars!!

[@smkjumpr]

Thanks for mentioning Hilary she was a great friend.

[@henryboyd4870]

9:35 this is one of the greatest drone shots I’ve seen. Great work bjarne

[@AnttiAuttiChannel]

Very very good!!

[@CodyTownsend]

Thank you very much buddy.

[@charlessawyer836]

Amazing video

[@sandrobreu]

WOW! That was amazing to watch - even for a dedicated Snowboarder...

[@robertflynn1084]

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you !!! So well done.​ You give us such a sense of the remoteness and the beauty of this Place on earth.

[@justinmcelheny2445]

Great video as always and I really like how you highlight your guests on this series!

[@EnricoRizzetto]

The best one yet ⛷

[@fladventurer2762]

Man this is the best cinematography on the tube. Bjarne has really step up his game and the editing team is doing great work. Vivian seems like just a guy that loves to share his abilities with others. Congrats on a successfully trip Cody and crew, cannot wait for the next one.

[@protenuator]

This episode has to be my favorite by far! Viv is awesome, brings stoke, and is willing to go try anything. The effortless anchor building was neat to see, along with the Escaper hitch. Stellar adventures in an incredible remote place.

[@charlesflahault8883]

One of the best ski mountaineering movies I've seen. I was spiritually transported with you on the face and followed Vivian with confidence. All the best for the next adventures guys!

[@joemaxie4468]

That was amazing, what an adventure. SO GOOD, YOU ALL ARE BEASTS 😊 and Thank You..

[@theinbetweenisours]

I think this is my favourite episode so far. Perhaps because my brother used to live on Baffin Island and worked in Nanasivik. When I heard his stories of brutal storms and winters I never imagined incredible ski lines. What an adventure, thanks for taking us there.

[@coolflippers]

From the day I saw you point that couloir back when ski flicks were the annual thing to now, your videos have been a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sticking with it.

[@jamessampson4022]

Goosebumps guys, goosebumps!

[@uradumby25]

I love that we are starting to see this more from professional athletes showing the risk mitigation that goes into that big things they do

[@andrewwilloughby3819]

The ending recap was fantastic! Not everyone can ski these lines, but a lot of people know someone who just loves skiing and the mountains

[@rsmiii]

World class adventure!

[@nickhunsaker3810]

Wow probably the best episode yet Vivian is awesome and extremely talented. Like Cody said "how the F did he lead climb this ?" I was wondering the same thing that couloir was unbelievably steep and narrow. Great work and much respect to the whole team especially Cody, Bjarne, and Vivian.

[@Justin-yx4bq]

I would never have thought a jump turn can express the fun and joy of skiing like his jump turn. My mind is blown.

[@stevethrendyle8406]

This one is TRULY all time, best FIFTY ever.

[@ropersix]

2:53, the spirit of Ueli Steck lives on out there. Such an incredible adventure (and videography), made even better by that small tribute.

[@KevinSmith-wr1sy]

Now that’s a rad adventure!!

[@ΧριστόφοροςΜπόικος-γ1σ]

Well... I always thought that both of Bjarne and Cody were world class skiers/mountaineers but Vivian made them look like normal people 😂😂. The accuracy and the confidence of this guy 😮😮. But after all its not about who's the best. Its about being out there. And having more and more fun . And to have more and more fun you always have to become better, safer more accurate. As Cody said all this is a byproduct of the love of the mountains and the people we spend our time on them. One of your best episode if not the best. Keep it up.

[@smokingbluegrass]

The best! The humility will take whatever breath you have left!

[@ericboarman7664]

Perhaps the best of the series... thus far.

[@aaroncfriedman]

This is the my favorite film of the 50. EPIC

[@billlundeen4983]

SOOOO GOOD!! The best yet out of all being SO GOOD. True alpine ski moutaineering, real humanity. This is the essence of authentic backcountry experiences... THANK YOU, Cody et.al. Wonderful tribute to the greatest: Hillary

[@yZstarAk1979]

Holy Shot great episode -the couloir ! The chute tunnel at 22 min, Too Kool man

[@fhgu8051]

Wow that looked pretty awesomesauce and for once the weather plus mountain was on your side. Viv what a living legend and Bjarnes filming made for such a good team.

[@joelparsons608]

One of the best so fare, you can hear the pure joy in your voices as you climb and ski.