Picture Organic Clothing: Shelter, the essence of mountain nature

But let’s take a step back. Shelter was born from the collaboration between Almo Films and Picture Clothings, which had already given life to Zabardast, a mountain movie set on the high peaks of Pakistan.

Behind both projects, there has always been first of all a concept and a clear objective, even before a considerable video production.

Sustainability and environmental protection are the common thread that unites the two projects and that constitutes the foundation of Picture, which has always been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products.

Shelter seeks to capture the the essential nature of the mountains by exploring the hidden valleys and remote peaks of the Alps, far from the hustle and bustle of the world’s largest ski resorts.

To carry out this mission, five friends – motivated by a passion and love for the mountains – travel from hut to hut, observing firsthand the impact of climate change on the Alps. To mitigate the effects, a now unavoidable issue in daily life, they start by changing their approach to the mountains and how they live their passion. 

The five friends are Jeremy Jones, Mat Schaer, Leo Taillefer, Levi Luggen and Thomas Delfino.

Jeremy Jones needs no introduction: freeride legend, he has cleared the concept of backcountry not only as a technical gesture, but in a more exploratory sense and as a way of experiencing nature in its purest essence. Thanks to his impressive technical level, he has inspired many snowsports enthusiasts during his career and can be defined as one of the splitboarding pioneers.

«Mountain huts located in such high places are a real treat. They offer the chance to enjoy a restful night’s sleep in a warm comfortable bed and head out full bore on the next day’s ascent.» 

With a genuine love for the mountains, Mat Schaer is fervent advocate for the environment and an expert on the topic. He continually pushes for an eco-friendly approach to snowboarding and sees the Alps as are a fantastic mountain playground offering an infinite number of possibilities for human-powered exploration. 

«Mountain huts provide the means to access a fantastic vertical playground still relatively unexplored by freeride skiers and snowboarders. Sleeping in these remote places provides the chance to disconnect from our modern, fast-paced, hyperconnected world, to marvel at the incredible landscapes at dusk and to meet new people who share the same passion.» 

Honest and spontaneous, Leo Taillefer brings a lighthearted sense of awareness to every adventure he embarks upon. The ideal travel partner, he is always game to push the edge of the envelope. He is also particularly fond of the environment and the great outdoors, which he does his best to respect every day. 

«Mountain huts are peaceful places where you feel so close to Mother Nature. They offer the chance to get back to the basics, to truly enjoy the simple things in life. Social classes disappear and you can just be yourself. Being in a hut also means a front-row seat to scaling the surrounding mountains.»

Passionate and extremely motivated, Levi Luggen has made a name for himself in backcountry snowboarding over the past few years. He became the de facto guide during this particular adventure and he enthusiastically dragged our protagonists to the wildest and most remote corners of the upper Valais Valley. 

“You savor the descent so much more when you earn it. Nothing tastes better than good meal while sitting next to the fireplace after a long ascent, just waiting in anticipation for the next day’s turns. Huts might not be luxurious, but nothing is more breathtaking than watching the sunrise from the mountain tops right before you arc turns down an amazing snow-covered face.”

Born with a passion for the mountains, Thomas Delfino is a main character in the rebirth of snowboarding, his primary focus today is on the environment and he has big plans to make a difference. 

«Backcountry has become much more popular and accessible today, and mountain huts offer the chance to explore remote, isolated terrain. It also rhymes with respect for the great outdoor because these places are open to everyone all year long, and making little to no impact means respecting others and the environment.» 

But there are still other actors in this story that deserve mention.

Julien Roserens & Morgan Le Faucheur, aka Almo Film. After a long career as a pro snowboarder, Morgan has chosen the camera as an expressive medium and for over 10 years has been realizing documentaries and projects related to its natural element, the mountain.

Together with Julien, they constitute an infinite resource of imagination and ability, becoming a fundamental element for the realization – together with Picture – of Zabardast first and then of Shelter.

Møme aka Jeremy Souillart, the conductor. The one who composed the soundtrack for Shelter. After the success of Aloha in 2015, he now travels throughout Europe bringing his electronic music to major festivals.

Last but not least Serge. 

Serge embodies the conscience of the mountains. He is the storyteller, the voice that accompanies the five friends on their journey through pristine shelters and valleys. Serge knows the Valais area’s history like the back of his hand, having witnessed first-hand the evolution of the territory and the drastic climate changes.

Shelter is not only the story of a journey in the midst of nature, but also of unexpected encounters, exchange of opinions and so much spontaneity. The beautiful images wisely interspersed with archive photos cast the truth before our eyes and make us think. From the world-renowned Great St. Bernard Hospice, our protagonists will travel the Alps using only their legs to power them, hitching the occasional ride on legendary trains like the Glacier Express. 

Ready and determined to face the impact of climate change and its devastating effect on the environment, they will pass through such amazing locations as the Vanoise Range, Testa del Rutor, and even the village of Mont-Noble, to learn more about the secrets of the high-alpine valleys. 

So many places filled with a history that bears witness to the passage of time and the ever-changing mountain environment, inspiring the five adventurers and – thanks to Picture that made it possible – hopefully a good part of those who will watch Shelter.