Skiing the Snowfields and Couloirs of Turkiye with Dan Egan
He’s one of the most famous extreme skiers of all time, a super-nice guy, and a talented filmmaker whose latest, ‘Return to the Silk Road’, takes us skiing with him and his nephew through the mountains of Turkiye, formerly known as Turkey. I’m referring, of course, to Dan Egan, who also coaches backcountry skiing around the world in his sell- out clinics, from Les 3 Vallees, France to Big Sky, Montana, where this photo of the two of us was taken.
Egan screened the 20-minute film to attendees at the SnowBound ski show in Boston in November, where I was part of the audience oohing and aahing at spectacular scenes of daredevil skiing and equally memorable scenes of you-have-to-see-this-at-least-once-in-your-lifetime destinations like Cappodocia.
You are probably familiar with photos of hot air balloons floating over the otherworldly area of hundreds of small sandstone peaks, carved out for ancient dwellings. Egan takes you here when it’s all snow covered and even more magical. Here, kabobs replace schnitzel, sweet tea replaces gluhwein, and haggling over pennies for a souvenir or valuable hand-made Turkish carpet from a vendor in an old-fashioned souk replaces a pre-printed (and overpriced) pricetag elsewhere.
The film in part recreates Dan’s and his brother John’s roles in the groundbreaking 1991 Warren Miller ‘Steeper and Deeper’. There are plenty of clips from that film, along with behind-the-scenes stories from Egan and his longtime cameraman, Tom Grisson, who also shot the earlier film.
There are glorious long drone and bodycam shots of Dan and nephew Jonny pushing boundaries – both geographical and skiing – doing perfect s-turns down what looks like miles of fresh powder snowfields and narrow couloirs. Some of them, apparently, were first descents. And there are shorter ones of them skinning up to what the older Egan describes as a “whole other world”.
Some of his narration is philosophical, about how skiing and snowboarding connect generations, and how gratifying it was to recreate this trip with his brother’s son. Simply, “I love skiing with him,” Egan says about Jonny. It’s something we all can relate to when skiing or boarding with family, especially the next generation.
One segment that made me laugh is the crew discovering a time warp ski shop – filled with neon-colored one-piece ski suits like those worn in the 1991 film.
Since then, the resorts where they skied then – Cappodocia and the sides of the volcano of Mount Erciyes – have grown into world-class destinations from a single t-bar or single chair. And I do mean single chair, as in one-person chair.
These days, Erciyes has nearly 100 miles of marked trails, from beginner and intermediate cruisers to the expert terrain skiers named Egan eat for breakfast. And it’s an Indy Pass member.
It’s a delightful film for anybody who likes great snow, great views, great storytelling, and discovering new ski destinations to add to your bucket list.
Best of all, it’s free to watch on YouTube. Thanks, Dan Egan and your DeganMedia.
http://youtube.com/v/8Ui68wycz7k
See you on the slopes -maybe even the slopes of Cappodocia or Ercicyes in Turkiye.
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I have know the Egan brothers and their contribution to skiing and exploring worldwide adventures since John showed up at Sugarbush with torn ski clothing. Sugarbush now has a Wall of Fame which starts with the opening in 1958 to me it is a good idea, but for it to be really worthwhile a way has to be found to incorporate the Egan era which really covers every previous owner and all the Sugarbush skiers from day ONE right up to today. Sugarbush has always had dedicated skiers who ski all over the world and most have learned and appreciated every turn that they watched the Egan’s make and many took free lessons watching and talking to the Egan’s mostly John but also Dan. I understand the complications but I think the total Ski world would benefit from a solution.
I’ve always wondered where these guys would end up used to ski with them at Sugarbush and drink a few beers. It’s one of the bars. I can’t even remember. It’s nice to see that they’re doing well and both still with us. It would be a pleasure and a good time if I could ski with them one more time before the real old age sets in if he’s in Sugarbush, I’m gonna see if I can get my butt up there.
Dan Egan is such a class act and stand-up dude. Always has been. Loved watching him ski with his nephew. Many more adventures to come, I hope!