Our Top 12 Ski Resort Films

      Ski resort films are a notable genre in cinema, yet their appeal remains somewhat unclear.

      While beach movies serve as a platform for attractive individuals to enjoy themselves in swimsuits—this much is understood—ski resort films are a different story. What prompted many to choose snowy slopes as the backdrop for their romantic escapades in the 1980s, especially considering that snow typically means bulky clothing?

      The reasons may elude us, but we can certainly share our 12 favorite ski resort films.

      **Ski Party (1965)**

      Ski Party might be the first film to adapt the beach movie model to the snowy slopes. Fans of the beach party genre produced by American International Pictures in the 1960s will recognize the familiar setup.

      This prototype for many later ski resort films stars Frankie Avalon, who is joined not by Annette Funicello but rather by Batgirl, Yvonne Craig, along with Dwayne Hickman from Dobie Gillis. The cast also features Deborah Walley and Lesley Gore, and in a surprising twist, James Brown makes an appearance for some musical acts.

      Ski Party doesn't stray too far from beach party conventions, concluding at the beach, and its promotional materials prominently display bikinis for complicated reasons.

      **Winter-A-Go-Go (1965)**

      Columbia Pictures

      Winter-A-Go-Go can be seen as a lesser version of Ski Party. It brings in “ski buffs” and “ski babes,” as advertised, though it lacks the star power found in its predecessor. However, the leading actor, James Stacy, is noteworthy for his role in the TV series Lancer, which Quentin Tarantino referenced in Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood.

      Additionally, Beverly Adams, then married to Vidal Sassoon, takes on the female lead.

      Similar to Ski Party, Winter-A-Go-Go follows the beach party movie mold. A ski bum inherits a lodge and aims to transform it into a vibrant music venue—aiming to include catchy songs and entertaining ski babes. However, lacking the formula and finesse of the AIP films, this one has a less consistent delivery.

      **Downhill Racer (1969)**

      Paramount Pictures

      Here’s a stark contrast. We transition from the light-heartedness of Winter-A-Go-Go to a film that treats skiing with the utmost seriousness.

      Downhill Racer delves into skiing as a sport, a passion, and even an obsession. Starring Robert Redford, the film remains anchored in cultural relevance.

      Focusing on the U.S. skiing team as they prepare for the Winter Olympics, it illustrates a time when Olympic athletes were not compensated. Redford, the star of the team, and his teammates ski not for money but out of a fervent desire to excel and win glory.

      The skiing scenes are shot with frenetic energy, capturing numerous falls. Downhill Racer effectively conveys the physical risks and tolls of the sport, making it one of the rare ski resort films that deserves serious attention.

      **Hot Dog…the Movie (1984)**

      Credit: MGM

      Fun fact: Hot Dog isn’t about frankfurters or dogs. Despite the artsy publicity image suggesting otherwise, it’s a color film.

      As the poster states, “There’s more to do in the snow than ski.” This film is a broad sex comedy reminiscent of the types that Shannon Tweed would typically star in; in fact, she appears as one of the many outrageous, party-loving characters in Hot Dog...the Movie.

      Notably, Hot Dog features impressive ski sequences for a comedic film. By the time this screenplay was written, screenwriter Mike Marvin had already made several low-budget skiing movies, and the cast included actual skiers as special guests.

      And what about the ellipsis?

      **Ski Patrol (1990)**

      Credit: Triumph Releasing Corporation

      The poster for Ski Patrol claims it comes from the producers of Police Academy, inviting viewers to picture a similarly zany comedy.

      In this film, the ski school instructors double as antagonists, colluding with a corrupt real estate developer to eliminate the ski patrol in order to seize the land, a plot that must be thwarted with humorous hijinks.

      Martin Mull and Ray Walston have minor roles to lend some recognition and comedic flair to the film. Additionally, it features notable names as this was George Lopez’s debut film, and the director Paul Feig also has an acting part.

      **Ski School (1991)**

      Moviestore Entertainment

      What constitutes the quintessential ski resort movie? Ski School makes a solid case, even as the genre of raunchy comedies began to decline by 1991. This Canadian film skillfully uses the mountainous, wintry setting as a backdrop for a classic slobs versus snobs narrative. Two rival factions within the school resemble fraternity groups in ski resort form. Naturally, our heroes belong to Section 8, the fun-loving party crowd looking to outshine their snobbish rivals.

      Ski