All photos courtesy of Legs of Steel

Descendance is pretty thought-provoking, as ski movies go and not in an arty/The Bunch kind of way. If you haven’t seen it it’s about North Face Austrian/Ghanaian skier Dennis Ranalter, exploring his heritage (descendance). We spoke to him when he got home in Salzburg, where he moved to six-months-ago from his childhood home of Stubai. Obviously, we touched on his experiences growing up, and the challenges he discusses in the movie, but he was more than happy to talk about skiing too!

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https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1083464/The-North-Face-Presents--DESCENDANCE

Descendance. How important was the movie to you and what was the journey like while filming?

The whole project was really important to me. Right from thinking about the project, then what I want to do and what I wanted it to be like. From the start I wanted to do something meaningful and something a little bit more than just skiing. I wanted to create something that people can relate to, it was important for me to create something meaningful and maybe help people that have similar issues or think about the same things.

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What was it like filming it? That was the first time you’ve been to Ghana?

Ghana was a very interesting journey overall. It was the first time I’d seen my dad in like 15 years, and it was the first time I’d been to Ghana and visited my family over there: my grandma, aunt and cousins. That was a very special moment.

The culture, people and country over there was a great experience.

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What did your family in Ghana think of your job?

It was pretty funny actually. I showed them some skiing on the phone/iPad and they were like ‘no way! This is staged or green screen!’

They were pretty stoked on it though. It’s a very different way of life, because there’s no snow there. It’s very hard to imagine. They have surfing over there, so they understand the sport and what I do for a living. It’s so cool to show it to someone that’s never seen snow before and look at it with fully fresh eyes. It’s nice.

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Did you invite them over to Austria to ski?

Well, my dad’s been skiing, back in the day, but no one else has done it. I think they would be super stoked to go skiing and just visiting Austria in general, seeing the culture and how it is.

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Did finding out more about your background and heritage, change your outlook on life in any way?

Definitely. In a very positive way. I’m very happy that I did it, because I was never too sure that I’d do it. Like, going to Africa and meeting all of my family over there. I’m obviously happy that I did that.

The thing that stayed with me the most is that sometimes it’s good to be scared/nervous, but you should trust yourself and don’t overthink it.

A lot of questions got answered and seeing my dad after such a long time was very beautiful. For me the whole thing just gave me a really warm feeling and I’m happy that I did it.

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Does Austria/Europe feel any more welcoming than it used to?

Definitely the younger generation is definitely more open and welcoming than it was back in the day. It’s a different state of mind now. I still think the difference is still there and more there than it has to be. There’s definitely room for improvement. It’s definitely better in some ways too.

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Do you think skiing should do more about inclusivity?

I think in general yes, because I think when you see someone like you doing something, it’s comparable, relatable. If you don’t feel represented, it’s super hard to imagine yourself doing it.

I think it’s important to have all different heritage, sexuality, whatever it is. There should be something that speaks to everybody and no one should feel left out. Everybody should feel welcome!

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Do you have any idea about how we can go about doing that?

I think if you show it. For example, in Europe, why not show more Asian skiing? Then if someone from Asia/Asian heritage sees Asian skiers represented in the mainstream, then when they go home they will talk about it. It can be anything; skiing, basketball, whatever, but when someone goes home and talk to their friends: ‘Hey I saw an Asian skier in a commercial, maybe we should try it.’

I think you just need to make people think about it and that makes them want to do it.

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We talk about inclusivity, but do you think more cultures even want to ski?

I think a lot depends on what opportunities there are and where you grow up. That’s the same for everybody, but I think a lot of people, especially in terms of sports, just do what they feel like they’re ‘supposed to do’. There might even be people who want to go skiing but think it’s not ‘for them’. Maybe they think they ‘should be playing football. That’s what most people do who look like me.’

It doesn’t matter though; the best skier could come from Africa and the best footballer could come from Alaska. If you’re motivated to do something and it fulfils you, then there’s no limit. I think other people’s ignorance shouldn’t limit you.

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In a traditionally ‘white’ sport, riders like you, Kadi Gomes and Jake Mageau are always going to find themselves differentiated is that something you struggled with?

That’s something that’s still very present. I had a conversation with someone not long ago. It was a nice conversation, but one of the first things that they said was: ‘I grew up with people of colour and different heritages, but you look so normal from far away, then you take of your goggles and you’re a black skier.’

I don’t think he meant it in a mean way, but I think this is so deep in people’s heads. That’s still shocking to me.

I was with friends in a restaurant the other day and we were having a nice conversation a new person joined us and asked what we all do. My friend said ‘he’s a skier’

The girl was shocked, she looked at me and asked me if that was a joke: ‘you don’t know how to ski?’

I said I do a little bit.

When you’re older you grow a thicker skin, but when you’re younger, comments like that hurt.

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Which skiers inspired you growing up?

I watched a lot of Tanner Hall movies. He was a big inspiration. Sean and Callum Pettit as well in Show and Prove, they were super young. That whole movie got me so stoked to go skiing and try it too. That whole crew was a big inspiration.

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Have you had a chance to meet Tanner?

Yeah, I met him. It’s so cool to see the motivation that he still has.

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In the movie, you tell us that your mum introduced you to skiing. We saw pics of you racing, what was your introduction to freeskiing?

I actually had been snowboarding for a little while. Me and my best friend back home would go through the woods and I’d get stuck with the snowboard. Everyone else had snowblades and big foots, so I switched to those too. Then I could go through the woods and the freedom just stoked me out. I got my first pair of skis that summer. Then I’ve just been skiing from then.

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So, you started doing tricks on snowblades and just brought it over to skis?

Exactly. We would build small jumps at our home resorts and just try 360s and stuff.

I’m going to ask you straight up: watching how you ski, are you doing Knuckle Huck at X Games?

No. It would be cool, but I didn’t get an invite. It’s a great event and I love to watch it.

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Which current skiers do you like watching?

There are so many nice skiers now! I really like watching Antti Ollila, he’s one of my favourite skiers. Joona Kangas, Dani Bacher, Sammy Carlson… There are so many! It’s a never-ending list, because everybody just has their own style of skiing. It’s not good or bad. I can’t pick just one. It’s so cool to see.

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What are your plans for winter 2024 and beyond?

I want to keep filming and producing movie parts. I plan to film a part for this winter again. I’m just stoked to go out with my friends and see what’s possible. Hopefully some good snow will come to Europe!

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Do you have an idea what you want to make?

I think we’ll do mainly backcountry stuff. The last two winters weren’t so good in Europe, so it’ll be cool to do some spots here again. I think there’s so much nice stuff to do in Europe, so it’ll be cool to have a full winter here.