The film follows the life story of Johann Augustus Suter, the owner of Sutter’s Mill, famous as the birthplace of the great California Gold Rush of 1848.

A young Italian girl living in the Dolomites falls in love with a member of a tourist party skiing on the nearby mountains.

Professional dancer Diotima finds herself the apex of a love triangle when she is pursued by two mountain climbers, Vigo and his older friend.