Every now and then, a project comes along that captures the sheer joy of the effort, the raw grit of human power, and the quirky, beating heart of the mountain community.
We are stoked to support Pedals to Powder, a phenomenal new documentary film following mountain multi-sport legends Tara and Naomi as they take on the ultimate New Zealand road trip. The film is officially streaming for free on YouTube right now, racking up well-deserved film festival accolades along the way!
WATCH PEDALS TO POWDER FREE ON YOUTUBE
The Mission: Bikepacking New Zealand’s Iconic "Clubbies"
Tara and Naomi are the definition of backcountry multi-sport athletes, the kind of folks who will pedal all morning, skin and ski all afternoon, and still find time for a surf before the sun drops.
Their mission? Bikepack 2,300 kilometres, pedal through 30,000 vertical metres, and connect all 23 ski fields across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Beyond the grueling physical challenge, Pedals to Powder is a love letter to New Zealand’s historic, grassroots "clubbie" ski culture. These local, community-run fields foster a soulful, shared-space vibe that represents a historic way of mountain life. Combining breathtaking cinematography, authentic heart, and a generous dose of classic Kiwi humour, the film dives deep into female empowerment, sustainability, and close-to-home adventure.
In the Field: A Q&A with Tara & Naomi
G3: When weight is the enemy and failure isn't an option, what core essentials do you always pack? How does having simple, reliable gear change your mindset when you're way out there?
Tara & Naomi: "Core essentials for us included everything necessary to move and keep safe in the backcountry including multiple layers plus skis, boots, poles, crampons, avalanche gear. This adds up to a lot of gear needing to be carried on the bike for our 46-day slog—and we really didn't want to compromise on performance. Having biked up all these hills, we better still enjoy the skiing!
G3: The film highlights New Zealand’s legendary club fields. What’s your absolute favourite local zone or community hub, and what makes its vibe so special?
Naomi: "I love all the clubbies, and each has its own beautiful and unique landscape, community, and vibe. Most of the clubbies have lodging on the hill which fosters a special sense of community through shared spaces and meals. Mt Olympus is a guaranteed good time no matter the snow conditions with great sorts, nightly karaoke, games, a hot tub, delicious food, and a vibrant bar."
Tara: "All the clubbies have their own special flavour! One of my favourites is Fox Peak—these guys always get the tows spinning after a big dump, which is a massive job for these small community fields. Plus, absolutely stunning backcountry access, a definite gem if you're passing through! Another favourite is Temple Basin. IYKYK ;) "
G3: What was your favourite side quest on the journey?
Tara & Naomi: "Visiting Awakino Ski Field was a memorable experience, an absolute side quest to get to and a real local's spot. The approach was mad on bikes: rugged, rocky roads, almost too steep to push our loaded bikes up (4WD-only cars), and a bit of a trippy descent as well. We were on day 39, making the ascent in the pitch black, really looking forward to our bed and a quiet rest day with a storm in the forecast.
Little did we know, we were sharing the hut with some local skiers from Wanaka throwing a tropical rave weekend! These guys were legends and they fully took us under their wing, basically providing all our food for the weekend and voluntary participation in all the activities (although we both struggled to stay awake past 9:00 PM). I think the cherry on top was hiking up the last patch of snow in the pouring rain to tag a few turns!"
G3: Long hours, freezing mornings, and unpredictable weather. When a classic mountain storm rolls in, how do you keep the stoke high and stay calm under pressure?
Tara & Naomi: "Planning a bike trip in the middle of winter guarantees a few storms, which are welcomed really, to bring some fresh snow! Our initial strategy was to use storm days as rest days when we could, but this didn't always go as planned. We spent many days on the bike, pedaling in the pouring rain or in non-ideal headwind conditions. Honestly, these were some of the days that brought us the closest together, kindred spirits in the suffering.
I remember one day in particular: we were biking a relatively short distance, but a crazy headwind almost doubled our time on the bikes that day. It was tough, but we stayed together. Teamwork meant we could take turns drafting and give each other small breaks. It also means you have someone to high-five at the end of it!"
G3: We're gear people. Tell us, what made the biggest difference?
Tara & Naomi: "Honestly, we had no major mechanicals or gear issues, which is HUGE, especially for ultralight gear! We had such amazing partners for this project including G3, and all our gear held up (and is still holding up, TBH). When things go wrong on missions like this, it can turn into a massive headache, losing precious time and effort. We put everything through the wringer, too. These skis were strapped to our bikes for 48 days, bouncing around on gravel roads, on and off our bike racks, not to mention a few sharks hidden in the snow at the start of the trip."
G3: What local, close-to-home project are you dreaming up next?
Tara & Naomi: "As you saw in the film, we finished our mission with Wanaka's annual Green Stream, a community-driven event which encourages locals to have a human-powered day, biking and skinning up Treble Cone. We've been trying to dream up ways to do this kind of event in our Canterbury fields. TBA!"
Pull up a chair, grab a warm drink or a cold beer, and get inspired for your next local mission.
