Laurent De Martin

There are as many paths as there are people. Some choose to be carpet salesman, others choose to be skiers. These behaviors are part of life's routine, and consciously or not, we're all slaves to it somehow. But you can't have the result without the process- you must get up to go down. Let this be your field guide to the minutia, the frivolities and of course the addiction to pure, uncut, freedom. Go ahead, scratch that itch. Because after all, we are creatures of HABIT.

In 1999 the old sport of skiing had just been given new life, and Level 1 was conceived to document its progress into the future. With twenty years in the rearview mirror it still stands true- new things never get old. Romance, the final chapter of annual films by Level 1, captures a modern-day Golden Age in skiing. Featuring a generation of talent that came of age in the best time to ever do it. Tweaking the formula, tweaking the grab, and in it for nothing but the love.

Zigzag. 1. a pattern created using alternating course. 2. another word for skiing. Following nearly two decades of ski movie pedigree, Level 1 documents a lifestyle of contradiction. Timeless ephemera. Love and money. Natural and synthetic. Powder and slush. Stagnant and innovative. Untracked and well-travelled. Consistent but not predictable. Swerving left, right and diagonal, yet never asleep at the wheel. Featured Athletes: Parker White, Laurent De Martin, Sämi Ortlieb, Chris Logan, Will Berman, Keegan Kilbride, Will Wesson, Thayne Rich, Peyben Hägglund, KC Deane, LJ Strenio, Khai Krepela, Kim Boberg, Oliver Karlberg, Tanner Rainville, Duncan Adams, Ahmet Dadali, McRae Williams, Wiley Miller, and Friends. Featured Locations: Eagle Pass Heli, BC. Sunshine Village, Banff. Mt Baker, Washington. Sweden. Gran Masta Park, Switzerland. Hokkaido, Japan. Moscow, Russia. Helsinki, Finland. Whistler, BC. Colorado. Montana. Michigan. Minnesota.

Inefficient Joy is an experimental ski film that explores the paradox of devoting so much time and energy to something as fleeting as the moments we pursue throughout the winter. In doing so, it questions why we do this and reveals the inexplicable joy that skiing brings.

Created by Sampo Vallotton & Laurent De Martin, this unexpected short movie is a visual manifesto of their first winter with the new Simply. tools. This movie came together organically as they were surrounded by talented filmmakers and photographers whom they can proudly call friends.