In addition to being THE place to see amazing movies, Sundance is a door gauntlet. You need to be on a list to go anywhere. This is going to take some savvy negotiating so I've been perfecting my reasons for entry all week.

Figuring out how to snowboard isn't easy. Unless you are at the Oakley Learn to Ride event at Sundance. It's a magical place where they dress you in cool clothes and give you a professional to help you fall your way down the mountain.

There are a few brands that officially sponsor Sundance, but most don't. The lack of affiliation is not ideal for many reasons.

Look what we got you at Sundance! OK, not really. We intended to bring you home one of everything we came across, but we couldn't afford the extra baggage fee when we tried to get on the airplane.

People think Sundance is about the films, and they are sort of right, but mostly wrong. Sundance is about the experience of being with people who are recognized for telling their own stories and who are celebrated for the things they are most passionate about.