Winter weather warning: ‘Buried’ plays the Lantern

Above: Workers attempt to clear snow from the Alpine Meadows resort. (Photo/sfgate.com)

We’re not that far from seeing snow hit the ground, a fact that doesn’t thrill a sizeable number of us. But no complaining. That’s the price we pay for living in a part of the country that enjoys four seasons.

Anyway, some of us are content to stay indoors when it gets cold. And if we want to experience what it’s like to brave frigid weather, we can always watch a movie.

One such movie that might serve a dual purpose is scheduled to open Friday at the Magic Lantern Theatre. Its title: “Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche.”

What are those two purposes? One involves its exploring the nature of snowy weather. The other is a cautionary tale of what dangers that weather can pose.

On March 31, 1982, the Alpine Meadows ski resort in California was hit by a massive avalanche that reached even the resort’s parking lot. Seven people died in the disaster. Co-directors Jared Drake and Steven Siig, both residents of Alpine Meadows, explain what and how the event happened largely through interviews of the people who were there.

In a list of favorite movies from 2021 Mountainfilm festival, Erin Berger of Outside magazine  wrote, “Larry Heywood, assistant patrol director at the time, explains that every lift, the access road to the resort, the base area, and the parking lot can all be affected by avalanches. Of course, the play-by-play of the avalanche speaks for itself. Those involved are still so affected by what they witnessed that several interviewees freeze up mid-sentence while describing that day.”

So let the film be a caution. Or an invitation. Whatever works for you.

I know what works for me.