Berg, a self-described professional big-mountain freeskier, is downright giddy about the snow in Utah, and she isn't afraid to say so in the 57th annual Warren Miller ski movie, "Off The Grid."

"The quality of the snow is a lot better and the access to the backcountry is phenomenal," Berg, also an extreme skier, ski model and freeskiing champion who is wrapping up a business marketing degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, said in an interview. "You can find powder on any given day; there's little secret stashes of it all over. I think I'll stay in Salt Lake for a lot of different reasons."

Berg, showing up in her fourth Warren Miller film, which for many skiers helps kick off the ski season each year, appears in a segment showcasing the easy access from a major metropolitan city to steep and deep terrain. Berg and other notable skiers, including Olympian Jeremy Nobis, explain why they made the move to Salt Lake.

Seven people with Utah addresses show up in Miller's latest attempt to make skiers go out of their minds until the snow is deep enough to make a turn in. Only Colorado, with 10, had more representatives in the movie.

The state's prominent position prompted the Utah Office of Tourism to allocate $350,000 to Ski Utah to sponsor the movie's national tour, with stops in 180 U.S. cities. This marks the first time any state has underwritten a tour in the 57-year history of Warren Miller films.

"It's a great way for Utah to brand its greatest snow on Earth around the country," said Ski Utah spokeswoman Hilary Reiter. "We ended up with a phenomenal eight-minute segment about Utah. Clearly, our snow stands out as the best."

Monte Meier of Heber shows up in the final of the film's 16 segments. He and fellow U.S. Paralympic Ski Team member Kevin Bramble become the first adaptive skiers to attempt the remote peaks near Cordova, Alaska.

Accustomed to the icy and smooth terrain of downhill Paralympic ski racing, Meier found the powder in Alaska challenging.

"I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I don't get a chance to ski that kind of terrain too often and I've never had a chance to go to Alaska," said Meier, who lost a leg in a tilling accident as an 8-year-old. "Luckily, Rossignol set me up with a sweet fat ski that helped me stay afloat. I also had new outriggers [for my arms] that were lighter and rose to the top of the powder."

Appearing in a Warren Miller movie is a chance for Meier to show other people with disabilities that there are no limits to what they can accomplish. He appreciates the opportunity to reach those people who may not have seen him win three Paralympic medals.

Berg, moving to Utah from Truckee, Calif., has similar feelings about appearing in what have become cult movies for skiers of all ages.

"For me, [being in a Warren Miller movie] is about as good as it gets. I saw my first one when I was 7 or 8 years old," she said. "I try to make it a point to go to that same venue in California. I like to talk to the young kids who, like me, have a mad passion to ski. I like to let them know that they can follow their dreams in the sport."

Meier and Berg, as well as other skiers showcased in the film, will appear at some of the Utah screenings to talk about their movie experiences and sign posters.

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* BRETT PRETTYMAN can be contacted at brettp@sltrib .com or 801-257-8902.

* MIKE GORRELL contributed to this story.

Utah skiers appearing in 'Off the Grid' Jaime Pierre, Salt Lake City

Jeremy Nobis, Salt Lake City

Jamey Parks, Salt Lake City

Jenn Berg, Salt Lake City

Julian Carr, Salt Lake City

Aaron Ward, Salt Lake City

Monte Meier, Heber City

Showtimes and locations

Tickets for the Salt Lake, Park City and Ogden showings are available at REI stores, theater box offices and select ArtTix outlets.

Oct. 19 - George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, Park City, 8 p.m., $17.

Oct. 20 - Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. showings, $17.50.

Oct. 21 - Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden, 3, 6 and 9 p.m. showings, $17.

Nov. 9 & 10 - Kent Concert Hall at Utah State University, Logan, 8 p.m.

Nov. 15 - Southern Utah University Ballroom, Cedar City, 7 p.m. For ticket information call 435-865-8704 or e-mail outdoorrec@suu.edu.

Nov. 16 - Dixie College, St. George, 7 p.m., details TBA.