Snows of Aorangi (1955)

Opening with brief sequences of the alpine ranges and lovely lakes of the South Island of New Zealand, the film features the snowfields on the North Island's volcanic mountains before reverting to the great ski fields of the Southern Alps. An exciting downhill run from the high peaks by expert skiers is a highlight.
Shot by photographer Brian Brake as a National Film Unit tourism promo, Snows of Aorangi surveys New Zealand's mountain landscapes. Brake captures stunning imagery: ethereal ice forests, lightning storms, volcanic craters, glaciers, avalanches, kea. Three skiers are mesmerising as they scythe downhill from Almer Hut: "for a little while they've given themselves to the rhythm of sky and earth" runs the James K Baxter-scripted narration. It was the first NZ film to compete for an Oscar, nominated in the Best Short Subject (Live Action) category in 1959.
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16mm film- W3606/c/96 & W3606/d/69