Maser Films

Merrell | Andy Maser, Director

Jason Antin and Mike Chambers are best friends and Merrell athletes. In the dead of winter they set out to ski Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail, from the edge of the ice cap to the town of Sisimiut, towing their food and gear the whole way. Almost everyone who hikes the trail does it in summer, and there was no record of anyone crossing it in winter. They finished in 3 days, 12 hours, and 6 minutes, the first known winter crossing, with Mike covering the last 22 miles on foot after a ski binding broke.

The crossing gave the film its shape, but the story I wanted to tell was quieter. Jason had young kids at home, and Mike’s wife was pregnant with their first child. Every mile carried the question of what it means to keep chasing something this hard when there are people waiting for you to come back.

The film supported the launch of Merrell’s new winter boot, which Jason and Mike wore across the entire trail. I directed In Due Time for Merrell in partnership with Stept Studios. It screened at film festivals and lives online.