Ten years ago, working on a job site in the heat of mid-August, a discussion about starting a local film festival that would celebrate winter culture and showcase independent filmmakers planted the seed for the Coldsmoke Awards. The initial focus was highlighting the community-wide stoke that spreads through Bozeman. The CSA team strived to create a place for conversations to be had about the bottomless powder and epic adventures of the season and the short films that documented them. Or, to put it simply, an evening of local films that puts a smile on the face of anyone who has ever fallen in love with the absolute freedom and joy of carving down an untracked line.

The community rallied for the first awards event and it took off like wildfire, attracting a cross-section of filmmakers drawn to the unique scene. From its roots as a venue for local skiers to highlight the best of their season, Coldsmoke evolved into a larger academy awards style showcase for winter travel films and a broader spectrum of all things winter. Event organizers Jonas Grenz, Brad Van Wert, Jeremy Mistretta and Anjin Herndon had tapped into to a vein of winter enthusiasts that extends far beyond southwest Montana. The festival is now targeted at the largest audience possible, traveling to other ski towns and making films accessible online.   This year live events will be held in Vail, Denver and Whistler in addition to Bozeman. Additionally for the first year ever the Coldsmoke team hosted 27 films online and gave everyone the chance to view the films and vote for their favorites. And each time a vote was cast the viewer was entered to win a two day catskiing trip at Powder Mountain in Whistler, BC.

From small town bars to urban theaters and across the worldwide web the mission of every Coldsmoke event is to gather the winter culture and celebrate the creativity, passion and strength that it inspires.

The 2013 Cold Smoke Awards will be the biggest yet offering live music, libations, and “festive mountain attire”. Another big draw is the selection of prizes donated by Moonlight Basin. This year everyone who purchases a ticket for the Coldsmoke Awards will be handed an envelope. Some will contain a voucher for a free hot chocolate or a single lift ticket. One lucky attendee will get the golden ticket: a free season’s pass to some of the best lift access skiing around.

This year’s event will take place on March 16th at the Emerson Cultural Center. Tickets for the awards ceremony are $15 for the show or $20 for the show and after party. Tickets will be available at Phd skis, Grizzly Outfitters, Cactus records or at the door. Tasty pints from Big Sky Brewing will be available on special all evening for. For more information on the event check out coldsmokeawards.com or email info@coldsmokeco.com

See you there, Bozeman.

Shannon Hughes is a writer and marketing strategist who seeks silence and adventure in the mountains. She can be contacted at shannon@spur-studio.com