Executive produced by Olympic ski racer Bode Miller and Emmy Award-winning impact sports filmmaker Brett Rapkin, The Paradise Paradox explores the mental health crisis affecting America’s mountain towns and the innovative solutions being developed in response. It features incredible athletes like 2023 ESPY Award-winner Mikaela Shiffrin and hard-working, inspiring individuals and families who make these towns function.

"A paradox exists in paradise: Too many people living in Colorado ski towns suffer with mental health problems, including a staggering number who’ve died by suicide in recent years, when it seemed like they should be having the time of their lives. This happens due to a confluence of forces: wealth gaps in mountain towns that grew into chasms during the COVID pandemic; lack of affordable housing; communities that rely on shredding during the day and partying at night for their happiness; and lack of adequate mental health services to help those dealing with any of these struggles cope." ~ The Colorado Sun

Meet our panelists for Steamboat's post-screening discussion.

• Meghan Francone, REPS Moffat County Coordinator and facilitator for QPR, SafeTALK and ASIST
• Liza Tupa, Alterra Director of Resiliency and Mental Well Being *CANCELED 1/11
• Sarah Valentino, MS, CAS, Mind Springs Health Mobile Crisis Clinician & Mental Health First Aid Instructor 
• Brittney Wilburn, The Health Partnership Serving Northwest Colorado Executive Director

More about the film

From the ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain to the lift operator in Deer Valley, to the young snowboarder trying to improve their community, to affluent residents throughout the region, THE PARADISE PARADOX sheds light on the root causes of the mental health challenges in the snow sports industry and in America’s mountain towns, including isolation, lack of resources, substance abuse, and stigma. Featuring stories from a diverse group of hard-working, inspiring families, individuals, and community members, there is also a focus on creative and scalable solutions local stakeholders, such as Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Health Behavioral Health, are creating in response.

This film is designed to reduce stigma and give audiences the opportunity to connect and identify with each character’s struggles and triumphs. Woven throughout will be a focus on hopeful, local solutions that communities can consider and replicate in order to improve mental health outcomes for all.

The film was primarily shot in Deer Valley, UT; Mammoth, CA; Eagle County, CO; Winter Park, CO; and Denver, CO.

This event is presented by Bud Werner Library, REPS Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide, Mind Springs Health of Steamboat Springs, The Health Partnership Serving Northwest Colorado, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp., Alterra Mountain Company, The Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, and Yampa Valley Community Foundation.