An illustrated book & animated film rooted in Yellowstone country.
REAL PEOPLE. REAL PLACES. UNREAL EXPERIENCES.
For those who won’t let the spirit of adventure die.
The Snow Day is made for those who see the wild as both teacher and canvas.
At the intersection of art and adventure, this illustrated book and animated film captures the raw beauty of Big Sky Country through the eyes of a child.
Rooted in years of exploration and drawn entirely by hand, The Snow Day doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you into one. From quiet trails to winter storms, this is where imagination meets wilderness.
Crafted in Montana. Told with intention. Made to last.
Winter is coming & we’ll be ready!
Journey to the Big Screen
2016: Bryan & his family move back to his birthplace - Bozeman, Montana.
2021: Bryan wins Bozeman Choice Awards for best local book (BIKE) and author.
2023: The Last Best Trails illustrated guidebook published.
2024: Big Sky Grant + Governor’s Tourism endorsement.
2025: Filming complete; editing & animation underway.
Fall 2025: Book launches.
Fall 2026: Film premieres at mountain festivals.
Human-powered adventure in Montana’s Yellowstone Country
Props to Craftsmen
Thank You to Our Montana Craftsmen
We’re grateful for the care, tradition, and rugged craftsmanship behind every detail of the handcrafted props that bring The Snow Day to life.
From hand-tooled leather to hand-carved Norwegian wood and forged metal, every piece is crafted with Made-in-Montana quality. The work doesn’t just look real- it looks, feels and smells real because it is.
In-Kind Sponsors
Brian Pickering - St Johns Leatherwork Livingston, MT
Gregg Chambers - Knife Crafting Missoula, MT
Chason Hendryx - Axe finishing
Duckworth - Fine wool garments, Bozeman, MT
Norse woodcarvings - Ron Loge Dillon, MT
Footwear - Schnees, Bozeman, MT
Reclaimed Timber - Outlaw Lumber, Malta, MT
The Last Best TRAILS Filmed in Montana 2025
Hand-crafted in
The Last Best Place.
Meet the Team
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TORREY SCHAEFFER
ACTOR/STUNTPERSON
Torrey Schaeffer is a 10-year-old rising actress hiker, mountain biker and skier who stars as both the live-action and animated lead in The Snow Day. This Montana-made film blending frontier grit with heartfelt adventure. T does her own stunts—mostly, anyway—and brings fearless energy, imagination, and charm to every scene.
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Bryan Schaeffer
CREATOR
Bryan is a Bozeman native, raised by a Montana Forest Ranger and an English teacher. He has received regional EMMY® recognition for his work in promotional television campaigns and has collaborated on multimedia projects with various well-known brands, including Microsoft and Boeing.
His illustrations and animations have been featured in publications like Outside Online and in films for The American Alpine Club and BBC Earth.
Bryan lives in Bozeman with his wife, daughter, and golden doodle, Loki. He enjoys Nordic, backcountry, and alpine skiing and skied 564 miles, ten miles beyond skiing the full I-90 across Montana, during the 2021/22 season.
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Cory Birkenbuel
PRODUCER
Cory Birkenbuel is a fifth generation Montanan growing up in Dillon and now lives in the rural town of Polaris.
He has produced and directed two private films for the Yellowstone Club and three private films for the Warren Miller Freedom Foundation working with Warren Miller on all three films.
In the winter of 2024/25 Cory skied 116 days.
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KIERSTEN SCHAEFFER
CINEMATOGRAPHER/ANIMATION ASSISTANT
University of Montana Wildlife Biology major, talented flutist and moth-box scientific data construction engineer. Kiersten is fun-loving and a quick study adding her talents to The Snow Day Film production.
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TROY DUNNING
ANIMATION ASSISTANT
Troy is a recent graduate from Montana State University with a degree in Film. Troy was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana. Passionate about animation, motion graphics, and visual storytelling, he aspires to build a career in motion graphics, and is excited about the work on Snow Day.
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BILL ARBANAS
Bill Arbanas is a third-generation photographer raised in a family-owned portrait studio in Chicago, established over 100 years ago by his grandparents. He holds three AA degrees in Art, Photography, and Creative Writing/Journalism, graduating on the President’s Outstanding Scholastic Achievement List.
Since 2006, Bill has worked as a 3D Animation Affiliate with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to animations for the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers and the Ingenuity Mars helicopter.
Outside of his work, he is a passionate conservationist, nature lover, and nature photographer, frequently sharing his work on Instagram. @billarbanas
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“Plenty of people can deliver cookie-cutter creative. Bryan and his team will invent not just re-invent solutions."
Byron Tucker - Advertising Executive
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“Bryan's professionalism and creativity always supersedes any expectations.”
Mark Feijo - Former Creative Director King 5
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“I've worked with Bryan for about twenty years and can say that he is one of the best, if not just The Best, period."”
Vandy Kindred - Creative Director C+C
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“My go-to person for creative direction and execution of projets of all sizes.”
David Johnson - President, Mind Opera
Join the Journey
FAQs
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The Snow Day follows a lone skier crossing the winter frontier to deliver a leather-bound book filled with knowledge, independence, and hope. It’s a visual fable grounded in Montana values.
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We’re offering a few premium sponsorship opportunities to brands that reflect the story’s core: independence, resilience, and purpose. Your brand becomes part of the film’s credits, screenings, and storytelling.
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Production is underway. Sponsors get early access to visuals and are featured during our festival and premiere campaigns. Follow on Instagram and Substack for weekly updates and releases.
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Donate
