After his father doesn't take him on a promised trip into the wilderness, Sam runs away from his Toronto home to do it on his own.

The young boy makes a bunch of new friends in the mountains, including elderly folk singer Bando, librarian Miss Turner, a raccoon named Gus, and the falcon Frightful.

Although Sam proves very well-equipped to take care of himself, will he be able to survive a terrible snowstorm and various other dangers?