The impending cold season is enough to make some people cringe, but there are others out there who relish the thought of another long winter. For skiers and snowboarders, the best season of the year is right around the corner. To help kick off the season, Fire on the Mountain Ski and Sport in Dover and Matchstick Productions will present the east coast film premiere of “Seven Sunny Days: Short Stories From a Long Winter.”

For the past 11 years, Fire on the Mountain has hosted a preseason gathering to get people psyched for the coming ski season.
“This is the big pre-season party of the year,” said Bob Siener, owner of Fire on the Mountain. “Several years ago, we started getting this into Portsmouth. The turnout was so good. People definitely supported it, which is why they keep coming back.”
This year’s presentation of “Seven Sunny Days” will be held at the Frank Jones Center on the Route 1 Bypass on Saturday, Oct. 20. The movie will be shown at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on a 14-foot movie screen. The event has sold out at previous venues, prompting organizers to move it to the 900-seat Frank Jones Center.

“Seven Sunny Days: Short Stories From a Long Winter” chronicles the experience of world-class skiers as they globetrot their way through deep powder in cold weather hot spots all over the world. Matchstick Productions is a Colorado-based adventure film company. The movie premiered out west and then came east, stopping in New York and Boston before the film shows in Portsmouth.

“The film has been selling out everywhere,” Siener said.

In addition to seeing professional athletes light up the screen, audience members can meet several of the skiers in person on Oct. 20. They will be at the Frank Jones Center to sign autographs and help with prize giveaways. Prizes include clothing, skis and lift tickets.

Fire on the Mountain has expanded this year’s event to include a number of display tents where various manufacturers will present new products for the 2007-’08 season. A number of radio stations will also be present. “It’s not a trade show, but there will be a lot going on,” Siener said. Representatives from Sunday River and Sugarloaf mountains will also be on hand.
“Essentially, it’s kind of a big party with a movie. It’s a great opportunity for families and kids to meet their heroes. It’s a pretty unique experience to meet these guys one on one,” Siener said.

Matchstick Productions and Fire on the Mountain have also booked a Boston based DJ who will spin records in between the two screenings. Families are encouraged to attend the all-ages event, although a bar will be open to guests who are 21 and older. Fire on the Mountain has another film scheduled for November.

As fall comes to a close and powder athletes everywhere look forward to another season, the big question is, how will the conditions be this year? “The almanac is being pretty optimistic. We’re predicting great weather,” Siener said.

Tickets are $15 and are available at Fire on the Mountain and at the door the night of the show. Special rates are available for groups of eight or more. For more information, contact Fire On The Mountain at 603-742-1019 or The Frank Jones Center at 603-433-2345.