Wild Aerial to screen during Jasper in January

An aerial athlete and climate champion who lost her home and possessions in the Jasper Wildfire is bringing attention to the mountains’ fragile alpine environments via a celebration of all things winter. 

Together with filmmaker Trixie Pacis, Sasha Galitzki—adventurer, artist and acrobat of the sky—will show Wild Aerial, a short film documenting Galitzki’s unique aerial expressions amid dynamic mountain environments. 

The film shows Sunday, January 26 at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives.  Screening during Jasper in January gives Galitzki and Pacis the opportunity to invite audience members to join them in the remote places where Galitzki performs—above an azure ice cave at the toe of a glacier, or in a deep limestone canyon, carved by millennia of hydrological forces.

“No crampons or skis required,” Galitzki likes to say. 

Galitzki’s unique expressions are created using silks and ropes and riggings and her own artistic and athletic instincts. She performs dazzling maneuvers while suspended high above the most inspiring natural features she can find. 

Although she treasures being in that stillness alone, not long ago Galitzky imagined that like her, others could be inspired by the fleeting beauty of the mountains. As such, through grassroots organizing and a years-long dedication to seeing their project come to fruition, Wild Aerial was born.

“I would love if my work could inspire people to bring attention to these fragile environments, and how special and vulnerable they are,” she said.

Recently, Galitzky joined Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada as part of their Creative Alliance. Galitzki’s mission to raise awareness about climate change perfectly aligns with POW Canada’s commitment to inspire action and advocate for climate solutions, said POW’s Lynn Henderson. Galitzki, too, is excited about the new partnership.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change, including the loss of my home in the recent Jasper wildfires,” said Galitzki. “This experience has strengthened my commitment to using my platform to inspire others to protect the environment and preserve the winter landscapes I love.”

Wild Aerial will screen at the Jasper Museum and Archives as part of the 2025 Jasper in January Festival on Sunday, January 26 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free. A cash bar is available. 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com