Introducing: The FIFTY+ Pro Site

The WHAT: The FIFTY+ Pro Site is a place where subscriber exclusive writing, videos, podcasts and direct communication to authors will live. It's a behind the scenes of behind the scenes.

The REASON: Why this site exists is two-fold: The first reason is to create a place where ideas that don’t succeed in the algorithm driven world of social media can live. A place where topics around backcountry skiing, outdoor philosophy, ski business, gear nerd-ery can be discussed with greater nuance, depth and interest. A place where the content you want to hear from the depths of the backcountry can be brought to light. The second, to foster direct support for all things FIFTY+. More on that below.

The WHY: So why will a community work better here than on Instagram, Twitter or YouTube? Because the paywall, the email sign up, the email inbox—it builds direct access while putting a filter on the inanity of social media.

The paywall will also go into supporting all things that go into making this content. Over the past 5 years, I've spent well over a million dollars making The FIFTY, almost all of that from sponsor support. Sponsor support that is drying up fast in exchange for brands moving marketing budget to Influencer Campaigns and Digital Advertising spend while also shrinking budgets because of a weird outdoor economy. In full transparency, last year my budget was over $250k for The FIFTY. For the FIFTY+, it was half that. In order to keep this going, to pay Bjarne, to hire other camera operators, to pay editors, buy cameras, pay for software subscriptions...the list goes on, the FIFTY+ needs funds or it collapses. So I'm hoping here, with some extra content being exclusive to subscribers, the community will help support the entirety of The FIFTY+. I don’t want this to be a charity though, I want the subscription to feel like a bargain for readers, so I’m putting in the extra work to meet those expectations.

The PLAN:

WRITING: To write about all things skiing, ski business, mountain adventures, gear, opinion pieces, people in skiing or whatever crosses my mind. Writing is something I truly love and have unfortunately fallen away from in recent years. Here is a place to rekindle that passion. Upcoming pieces are:

On Classics: What Makes it a Classic?
On Ski Mountaineers: Who's the Best in the World Right Now?
On Guiding: What Does it Mean to be "Guided?"

VIDEO PODCASTS: If you're old like me, you remember Director's Commentary extra features on DVD's. I plan for that with episodes both new and old. Going through some of the behind the scenes details that didn't make the cut.

MONTHLY DISCUSSIONS: Last Friday of every month, let's get together and chat in an exclusive way.

BONUS VIDEOS: Videos that go deeper into the gear, ideas and thoughts from the main episodes. Exclusive to subscribers.

So, please, if you would consider it, subscribe to the website. Give it a try.

Cheers,
Cody Townsend