TGR’s Defining Moments Episode One: The First Film | The Continuum

As we celebrate 30 years of Teton Gravity Research, we’re heading back to where it all began — The Continuum (1996). Shot on a shoestring budget by a crew of ski-obsessed dirtbags chasing snow, the film proved our lives in the mountains could inspire a community far bigger than we ever imagined.

Every legend has an origin story, and for TGR, it began with Todd and Steve Jones in Jackson Hole and a sheer refusal to wait for permission. The first defining moment of TGR was the creation of our debut film, The Continuum. It wasn't born in a corporate office or with a grand financial plan. Instead, it was an audacious, scratch-it-out idea from the brothers, fueled by a singular, intense vision for action sports filmmaking.

Todd and Steve pooled every dollar they had earned fishing in Valdez, Alaska, just to afford one critical piece of gear: a 16mm film camera. It was the ultimate all-in gamble. They had no office, and their entire business plan lived on a single piece of paper. That original, scrappy, risk-everything mentality is still the DNA of TGR today.

Filming The Continuum meant putting everything on the line—emotionally, financially, and physically. There’s no better illustration of this commitment than the moment Todd, while filming on the backside of Grand Targhee, got caught in a snow slide. He was swept clean over a sheer, 30-foot cliff. It was a harrowing moment for the small crew that had banded together. However, that near-miss only solidified the resolve of this tiny team. They were dedicated to showing the world the true, raw experience of big mountain terrain.

The film itself was revolutionary for its time. The Continuum isn’t just a title; it speaks to the core philosophy of what we do. It’s about the space between time and matter, and it serves as a celebration of the carve that a ski or a snowboard lives for. It captures the fleeting, perfect moment of human motion against a massive, untamed landscape.

When the time came for the premiere, the team had no idea what to expect. Yet, as the cars started lining up and pouring into Teton Village, they knew they had tapped into something big. The theater was a packed house. This immediate, visceral reaction from the community proved that Todd and Jones’s vision resonated with a massive audience.

Decades later, the impact of that initial, risky venture is undeniable. The Continuum wasn't just a successful first film; it set the benchmark for generations of action sports cinematography. Its cultural and historical significance was formally recognized when it was inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.

It stands as a testament to what a small group of passionate people can create with grit, commitment, and a 16mm camera. Three decades later, the mission’s still the same: chase the dream, push the craft, and stay true to the culture that built us. Huge thanks to everyone who’s been part of this ride and stay tuned for the next defining moments!