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

Residents of all walks of life can struggle, whether they are seasonal workers, young parents or longtime locals. They often feel the added pressure that they should be living their best life. After all, they are surrounded by vacationers enjoying the community as a playground to ski, explore and party.

The 2023 documentary film “The Paradise Paradox” highlights the disparities between an idyllic destination and the difficulty of living there. Currently, the film is available to purchase on Amazon.com. 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.

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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.”

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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 many 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. The film 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.

You don’t have to be sober to participate in any of Tame’s events – the organization’s driving force is to create a welcoming space for everyone.

As film illustrates, mountain communities can be isolating, with mental healthcare resources hard to find. But organizations like Tame Wellness are increasing access to care, as they provide peace and belonging.

You can donate to Tame Wellness by visiting TameGrandCounty.org. To find local mental health care and recovery resources, visit BuildingHopeGrand.com. The Building Hope Grand website is founded by the H.O.P.E. (Healing Opportunities through Prevention Efforts)  Fund of the Grand Foundation.