DESCENDANCE
A journey of self-exploration with Dennis Ranalter.
Who are you? For some people, it’s the simplest of questions. For Dennis Ranalter, it’s one of deeper significance. As a skier, he has always known who he is. But what about his identity as a human being?
Who are you? For some people, it’s the simplest
of questions. For Dennis Ranalter, it’s one of deeper
significance. As a skier, he has always known who he
is. But what about his identity as a human being?
DESCENDANCE follows Dennis on a journey of self-exploration, from reflections on his childhood in Austria to a reconnection with his heritage in Ghana.
DESCENDANCE follows Dennis on a journey
of self-exploration, from reflections on his childhood
in Austria to a reconnection with his heritage in Ghana.
THE EARLY YEARS
Growing up in the Tyrol, Dennis started skiing not long after he could walk. His childhood years were spent snowblading, skiing and bigfooting through the woods with his closest friends – “doing our thing”, as he puts it.
Growing up in the Tyrol, Dennis started skiing not long after he could walk. His childhood years were spent snowblading, skiing and bigfooting through the woods with his closest friends – “doing our thing”, as he puts it.
He has always felt at home in the mountains, and from an early age he let his skiing do the talking.
He has always felt at home in the mountains, and from an early age he let his skiing do the talking.
“I loved growing up here.
You grow up with a strong
connection to nature, and
I believe that shapes you.”
“I loved growing up here. You grow up
with a strong connection to nature,
and I believe that shapes you.”
D-RAN THE MAN
“I’ll know it’s Dennis just from the silhouette”, says X-Games gold medallist Bobby Brown of his friend’s unique style. Power, precision, progress.
“I’ll know it’s Dennis just from the silhouette”, says X-Games gold medallist Bobby Brown of his friend’s unique style. Power, precision, progress.
Dennis might be a quiet guy off the mountain, but on it he’s relentless.
Dennis might be a quiet guy off the mountain, but on it he’s relentless.
Always motivated, always progressing. On the mountain, it’s simple. He’s D-Ran.
Always motivated, always progressing. On the mountain, it’s simple. He’s D-Ran.
“D-Ran skis with power
and precision which
combine to make such an
amazing style.”
“D-Ran skis with power and precision
which combine to make such an
amazing style.”
JOSSI WELLS
JOSSI WELLS
NARROW VALLEY, NARROW MINDS
The first time Dennis became aware that his race could be a problem for some people was in his early teens.
The first time Dennis became aware that his race could be a problem for some people was in his early teens.
“People looking at me in the restaurant, a stupid comment from the lift guy”, these are just two examples of prejudice he has experienced.
“People looking at me in the restaurant, a stupid comment from the lift guy”, these are just two examples of prejudice he has experienced.
“In the beginning, you don’t really recognise it,” he says, “but then you get to an age where it really starts to hurt.”
“In the beginning, you don’t really recognise it,” he says, “but then you get to an age where it really starts to hurt.”
“It’s difficult to understand how he felt because we never had to go through what Dennis experienced on a daily basis.”
“It’s difficult to understand how he felt because we never had to go through what Dennis experienced on a daily basis.”
GAINING PERSPECTIVE
As part of his journey of self-exploration, Dennis travelled to Ghana to reconnect with a previously mysterious part of his heritage.
As part of his journey of self-exploration, Dennis travelled to Ghana to reconnect with a previously mysterious part of his heritage.
The opportunity to see his father after years apart, to meet his grandmother for the first time, and to learn more about his Ghanaian roots has fundamentally changed his conception of his own identity.
The opportunity to see his father after years apart, to meet his grandmother for the first time, and to learn more about his Ghanaian roots has fundamentally changed his conception of his own identity.
“Before I was Austrian, now I’m
half Austrian and half Ghanaian.
That’s pretty cool.”
“Before I was Austrian,
now I’m half Austrian and half Ghanaian.
That’s pretty cool.”
TO THE FUTURE
“The thing that really stuck with me,” said Dennis on his return, “is the feeling that I know where I’m going.”
“The thing that really stuck with me,” said Dennis on his return,
“is the feeling that I know where I’m going.”
After years of worrying about how he fitted in, he’s come to powerful realisation about identity in general.
After years of worrying about how he fitted in, he’s come to powerful realisation about
identity in general.
“Don’t hide yourself for not fitting in or being different,” he says, “because different is great.”
“Don’t hide yourself for not fitting in or being different,” he says,
“because different is great.”