A typical day out filming with her girlfriends starts at 4.30am. A few hours later Wanaka skier Janina Kuzma (29) may be dangling from a helicopter, eyes screwed shut against the dizzyingly steep mountain fall-line below.
Easing herself out on to a knife-edge ridge she is handed her skis before the machine whirs away and she is left alone.
Her legs are shaking uncontrollably as she clips boots into skis.
She attempts to control her breathing, visualises her planned run down the phenomenal slope below and mutters a few ''I can do it'' affirmations. Through the radio on her jacket, comes the call.
The cameras roll as Kuzma pushes off the ridge. She will be aware of the ''safe zones'' on the ridges or spines in case of an avalanche but ultimately she is propelled by a desire to produce quality footage in front of her friends.
This is likely to be the case while Kuzma films the latest Shades of Winter movie. She has starred in the previous two films in the series, in which several top female ski and surf stars pit themselves against mountains and extreme snow. The films' producer and co-star Austrian freeskier Sandra Lahnsteiner said she wanted Kuzma on board for this next film, titled Between, because she regards her as ''an awesome athlete and even more, an awesome friend''.
''Not only does she bring amazing skiing skills, combining both top-notch half-pipe as well as big mountain skills, she is a perfect athlete with the necessary desire and dedication for the sport and filming. Always ready to push herself and others but not missing the fun and passion in life.''
For Kuzma, Between is a chance to show off her home stamping ground and tell her tale of big mountain success (she is the eight-time New Zealand big mountain champion), plus showcase her transition to half-pipe skiing, in which she is now ranked world No2.
A half-pipe shoot at Cardrona Alpine Resort will feature in the film.
Big mountain footage will be shot on Mt Larkins, near Glenorchy, on property owned by Dan Kelly and his wife, Christine.
Kelly said he was ''thrilled'' to host the film crew and guides and believed the female skiers, Kuzma, Lahnsteiner and talented Swedish freeskier Matilda Rapaport, made amazing role models.
''They are so inspiring for all these younger girls coming through.''
For Lahnsteiner the storyline is vital to Between.
''We have a story that leads through the whole feature film. You'll get to know more about the main athletes, the places they travel to, the people they meet along the way and learn more about our emotions, feelings.''
It was her first trip to New Zealand and she was buzzing about including footage from here in the two-year Between project.
''I'll finally be able to explore myself ... and be able to show and inspire other people all over the world.''
When released in September 2016, Between will include three winter seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres and have footage from Hawaii, Alaska, the European Alps, Scandinavia and Canada.
''When you get to the bottom and you can hear the girls hooting and hollering. Or you are watching your friends coming down and at the bottom they have got the shot and skied an epic line, you give them a high five or a hug and yell, ''You've got the shot''.
Shades of Winter - Between
- 8-minute teaser in September, full movie release in September 2016.
- Features Wanaka's Janina Kuzma; Brazilian big-wave surfer Maya Gabeira; successful freeskier and film producer Sandra Lahnsteiner (Austria); world-class skier Julia Mancuso (US); top freeskier Matilda Rapaport (Sweden) and the two-time Freeride World Tour Champion Nadine Wallner (Austria).
- 2014 Shades of Winter film, Pure, featured in film festivals worldwide and attracted 350,000-plus viewers.
