Every year like clockwork, as the nights start to cool, the quiet itch to ski develops into an intense urge. It's at this time that I hatch my plans for the next ski adventure and justify why I should purchase a new pair of skis, and scrounge around the cupboard looking for my once treasured video tape of the classic 80's ski flick 'Hot Dog...The Movie'.

The classics
Enter good old Warren Miller who has made a fortune by exploiting our vulnerable pre season state with a well timed installment from his million dollar ski film franchise. The formula doesn't change; big screen, plenty of hype, slick footage, exotic locales, cheesy voice over and a few semicomic sequences (usually some unfortunate first timers sliding backwards into each other on a skating rink of a ski slope). His latest installment 'Children of Winter' is touring Australian cities from late May. Check www.warrenmiller.com.au for a teaser, dates, price and ticket purchase.

Keep the blood pumping
I always find at least 2O minutes of Warren Miller films absolutely amazing, but I also tend to get restless when he eventually takes the foot off the adrenalin pedal. Warren Miller films try to satisfy all skiers and boarders, therefore always leaving at least some of the audience not quite satisfied. If you're looking for non-stop adrenalin pumping action, check out the new school ski film studios of Matchstick Productions and Teton Gravity Research. From snow park jibbing and huge gap jumps, to serious big mountain footage, I find my head shaking in disbelief while my legs twitch with excitement. The skiing and boarding in these films is so close to the edge, that unsurprisingly and tragically some of the best free skiers have been killed during filming.

Long gone are the days when I would fool myself into believing that 'I could do that'. Although there is no big screen tours to Australia, their annual installments are available on DVD for purchase online at their respective websites. For about the price of admission to Warren Miller, you can get a DVD to host your ski mates for a pre season hype night, as well as watch your favourite segments over and over. If you're looking for the classic free skiing movie check out Greg Stump's 1988 'Blizzard of Aahhh's' which introduced ski legends Scott Schmidt and Glen Plake.

A cool quick-fix
For a quick-fix and thrill, the trusty internet can save the day. All the ski film studios as well as most of the ski brands have slick video segments from their respective stable of sponsored athletes. Check Black Diamond or Atomic. Alternatively, hop onto YouTube and type in 'Tanner Hall' or the late 'Shane McConkey' to see absolutely mind blowing segments.

Banff Mountain Film Festival
My personal favourite for outdoor films arrives this week...Banff Mountain Film Festival. It's a collection of the year's best outdoor films from the same named annual film festival. The films range from 2 minutes to 40 minutes in length and cover everything from base jumping (last year's best segment), artfully arranged avalanche footage, to off road unicycling. There is always an amazing skiing or boarding segment. This year's ski entry is from Teton Gravity Research featuring insanely steep spines in Alaska and endless powder in Jackson Hole. Other segments this year include kayaking in PNG, crossing the Arctic Circle, climbing in Eastern Europe, mountain biking tales, and others. I always discover some sport that I never knew existed (off road unicycling!) and come away buzzed on adrenalin, and incredibly inspired to get off my arse and get outside. For more info and check out Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.

For travel inspiration to exotic locations featured in these ski films, visit www.sevendescents.com.au. Ski specialists for heli skiing, cat skiing, guided off piste and backcountry ski touring.