Calling a mountain community your home can feel like a dream come true. But like every seemingly perfect place, there can be a darker reality. Residents who are surrounded by the beauty of nature’s highest peaks and deep valleys also experience the highs and lows of living in the world’s most sought-after destinations.

Mountain folks of all walks of life can struggle at times, whether they are seasonal workers, young parents or longtime locals. They often feel the added pressure that they should be living their best life, even though they may be holding two, three or more jobs to cover their expenses. After all, they are surrounded by vacationers enjoying the community as a playground to ski, explore and party, often from the comfort of their second homes.

The 2023 documentary film “The Paradise Paradox” highlights the disparities between an idyllic destination and the difficulty of living there. On Sept. 9, Grand County Rural Health Network’s Community IMPACT Team and Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge & Retreat Center are partnering for a free showing of the documentary. Community members can watch the film at Shadowcliff in Grand Lake from 6-9 p.m. Pizza and snacks will be provided.

“This film resonates deeply with mountain communities like ours, where mental health challenges often hide behind a backdrop of natural beauty,” stated rural health network Executive Director Amanda Uehlein.

Uehlein said this film showing is just the first of many conversations in the organization’s upcoming mental health series, funded by the LOR Foundation. The LOR Foundation stands for “Livability, Opportunity and Responsibility” and has offices in Colorado and other western states.

Following the film showing, there will be a panel featuring community members who can share their lived experiences, with the goal of encouraging honest dialogue and inspiring action, Uehlein said.

She explained that the organization chose to start the mental health series with “The Paradise Paradox” during National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month to honor how this message hits close to home for many in the community.

“Storytelling is a powerful way to reduce stigma, spark connection, and help our neighbors know they’re not alone,” she described. “Through this series, we hope to create ongoing opportunities for people across Grand County to come together, share their stories, and build a resilient, supportive community.”

About the film

The film is produced by Olympic ski racer Bode Miller and Emmy Award-winning sports filmmaker Brett Rapkin. Alterra Mountain Company, which operates Winter Park Resort, helped sponsor the film.

Through the film, attendees can learn how individuals search — and sometimes fail — to find their slice of “paradise” in mountain towns. The film includes locations in Grand County and across the country.

“I get to work with the best people, in the most gorgeous place in the world. We love doing what we do,” Jenny Lucas says in the film. She works at Mammoth Mountain, a ski resort in California. ” … And I realized that you can be in the most beautiful place in the world, and not be sure you want to wake up the next morning.”

In places like Mammoth, economic inequities are thrown into stark reality. These inequities range from lack of affordable health care to lack of housing. Living the resort town life also spurs individuals to push themselves to the point of exhaustion — whether it’s partying too hard in bars, or competing too hard on the ski slopes.

“The Paradise Paradox” tells the personal stories of those in crisis who took their own lives; those mourning after the loss of a loved one; others who have overcome substance abuse and are helping others do the same.

Grand County native Ben Lynch is featured in “The Paradise Paradox.” Lynch was a star snowboarder from Winter Park Resort Competition Center — beloved by many community members — who took his own life in April 2021. Each spring, Winter Park Resort holds its Bucket Banked Slalom and silent auction, in honor of Lynch.

The film also shines a spotlight on Grand County resident Stephanie Pierce, who found healing here after 16 years of addiction.  

“To get away from the drugs, I wanted to go to a place where I didn’t know absolutely anybody, I couldn’t make that phone call,” she says in the film. “I didn’t know where I was going to work, I was sleeping in my car. I had nobody and nothing.”

Pierce eventually made it to Winter Park, where she began a new life. She has now been sober for nearly seven years. She works at Winter Park Resort and is the co-founder of one of Grand’s substance abuse recovery resources, Tame Wellness. Tame offers wellness services such as yoga and meditation, provides substance abuse recovery planning, and organizes community-building events for residents in a sober environment.

“Paradise Paradox” was first shown in Grand County at Fraser Valley Library in February 2024.

About the IMPACT team

The Grand County Rural Health Network also seeks to bridge the gap between residents and healthcare resources. Its Community IMPACT team is working to make both physical and mental healthcare more accessible in Grand County. It also focuses on affordable housing solutions. IMPACT stands for Individuals Making Positive Action & Change Together.

Please RSVP to attend the film showing at Form-USA.Keela.co/Paradise-Paradox-Screening.