If you’ve ever been to our Alf Engen Room, one thing stands out above the rest–except for the Alf Engen bust, of course. It’s the 79-inch TV playing everything from Sunday football to weather reports during Interlodge.
But you know what really gets the people going in high definition? Cheesy, action-packed or dramatic ski movies. We’ve put together a list of our favorites below. These don’t include documentaries (so no Warren Miller) or primarily snowboarding films (because, y’know, Alta). But we’re sure there will be no debate on these…
Better Off Dead
We have to start with a classic. This teenage comedy-drama starring John Cusack (that sentence is not very “teen” anymore, we’re finding out) uses all the tropes that made the 80s the golden age for ski movies. Complicated love interest? Check. Fun camera work on skiing scenes? Yup. Big race to wrap up the plot? You know it!
Aspen Extreme
This movie from ’93 encapsulates what so many of us skiers have dreamt about. Moving from their cyclical lives to the Rocky Mountains to become ski instructors sounds like heaven. But, as this classic accurately depicts, not everything that glitters is a problem-free pow.
Ski Patrol
You can’t leave this one off the list. Irony and memes be damned, Ski Patrol is comedy gold and even funnier if you’ve spent time in the Peruvian Lodge pr with the Alta Ski Patrol. Over three decades later, you’ll still find characters like Pops and Murray around here.
Downhill Racer
We had to add an older movie to the list. This one, from 1969, features intense acting and brilliant cinematography. It was truly one of its kind and ahead of its time for ski and sports movies alike.
Hot Tub Time Machine
There’s a reason we started with the word “cheesy” up there. This movie is equivalent to what Better Off Dead and Ski Patrol were to older generations. While not entirely focused on skiing, it’s hilariously funny with smirk-filled callbacks and satire to the ski comedies of the 80s. Plus, we do love a hot tub at the Peruvian.