A ski film is a motion picture with sequences of expedition, recreation, competition, or acrobatic exhibition on snow skis. These non-fiction action sport films capture the experience of an athletic outdoor snow sporting culture. Ski films typically present one or more techniques (ski jumping, cross-country, downhill, freestyle), locations, or skiers (expert, celebrity or novice). Categories include the feature, documentary of competition or other event coverage (such as a snow festival or sportscast), instruction or technique demonstration, retrospective history, travel guide showcasing a region, or a short subject (such as a web series or included in a newsreel).Verschoth, Anita (2 Oct 1978) Sports Illustrated More than 200 such videos debuted in 2006.Skipress Vol 6 No 2:12 Notable examples are listed at the Ski and Snowboard Film Institute, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum or have received awards from the International Ski Film Festival,First rate flicks (Jan 1975) Ski Vol 39 #5:31Ishpeming International Film Fest will screen in Park City (2014) Park Record X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival,Prettyman, Brett (2012) X-Dance Film Festival breaks away Salt Lake Tribune IF3 International Freeski Film Festival, Newschoolers magazine,Newschoolers Awards '24 newschoolers.com Cold Smoke Winter Film,Walden, Kaylee (2013) “Coldsmoke Awards celebrate all things winter” Bozeman Daily Chronicle Powder magazine, at Powder.com or similar.
Feature film Feature-length entertainment films about skiing, skiers, and the ski lifestyle, shot in actual locations around the world and featuring the best skiers of the day, have been released annually since 1938. Although not distributed through normal film channels, these movies were first exhibited on the resort, club, film festival and ski show circuitLexi, Local (2024) Ski Movie Premieres skiutah.comFry, John (2010) The Story of Modern Skiing Hanover: University Press of New England pg 278–280 and are now available via internet video or home video.
Many features include sequences of other mountain, airborne, water, or speed sports.Oliver, Peter (1991) "Reel Life: Ski filmmaking through the years", Skiing, Vol 44 No 3:155 Slow motion and time-lapse effects and skier point of view shots have been used in ski films since the first features of Dr. Fanck.Von Moltke, Johannes (2005) No Place Like Home: Locations of Heimat in German Cinema University of California Press pg 45Inkster, Darlene (2012) Film Pioneers: Arnold Fanck pg 19 in Directory of World Cinema: Germany edited by Michelle Langford, Intellect Books Many film makers release a film early in the ski season, with content recorded in the past season or two. The following list is a chronology of prolific feature production companies or directors with numerous ski films over the indicated time span.
Feature-length film series annual Bergfilme of Arnold Fanck, documentary and dramas (1920–1931)Thorne, Patrick (2021) A Century of Ski Films skiinghistory.orgTanous, Adam (2012) . Sun Valley MagazineMoulton, Richard W. (2002) in Collected Papers of the International Ski History Congress, ed. E. John B. Allen (New Hartford, Conn.: International Skiing History Association, 2002), 190–194 Victor Coty ski films (1933–1969)Kuhnert, Amanda (2012) Stowe Guide and Magazine Stowe Reporter pg 83–87Miller, Peter (Nov 1984) Ski People: Victor Coty Ski Vol. 49 Page 16E Frank Howard Films (1935–1960)US National Ski Hall of Fame "Dr. Frank Howard" (1987) Honored MembersCohen, Stan (1985) A Pictorial History of Downhill Skiing Pictorial Histories Pub. Co pp 186–187 annual Sidney Shurcliff films (1938–1941)Jay, John (1966) Ski Down the Years NY: Award House LCCN 66021960 pg 195Daring Ski Jumps Featured The New Hampshire v32 #40:1 10 Mar 1942Allen, E. John B. (2002) New Hampshire on Skis Arcadia Publishing page 109 annual John Jay Films (1940–1970)Lund, Morten (1996) "Skiing Down those Golden Years with John Jay", Skiing Heritage Journal, Vol 8 Number 2: 7–26Cohen, Stan (1985) A Pictorial History of Downhill Skiing Pictorial Histories Pub. Co pp 186–187 Hans Thorner films (1948–1955)Biography at newenglandskihistory.comRobbins, Paul (Spring 1986) Little Bit of Magic Skiing Vol 38 #7:14 annual Warren Miller and successor Warren Miller Entertainment films (1950–present)Konigsberg, Eric (2009) "Still King of the Cinematic Slopes" New York Times (2011) KODAK.com annual Hans Gmoser films (1958–1968)Donahue, Topher (2008) Bugaboo Dreams: A Story of Skiers, Helicopters and Mountains Dart, Ron (2010) Hans Gmoser The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica Canada annual Dick Barrymore films (1961–1980)Lund, Morten (Nov 1969) "Dick Barrymore, we ask you--are you making it?" Ski Vol 34 #3:150–158 Willy Bogner, Jr. films (1966–2009)Doran, Patricia (January 1975) "Willy Bogner, Jr" Ski Vol 39 #5:32Stebbins, Neil (Sep 1995) "Willy's World" Ski Vol 60 #1:174–180Fire+Ice at bogner.com annual Greg Stump films (1985–1998, 2012)Finkel, Mike (1991) "Helter Skelter" Skiing Vol 44 No 3:160–162"Return of the Blizzard King" (2008) Ski Press Vol 8 No 1:8 Peter Chrzanowski films (1988–1997)Skiing (Dec 1992) "Video Review" Vol 45 #4:144Lanthier, Nancy (2010) Issue 77 Spring Point of View annual films by James Angrove and Jon Long of Real Action Pictures (1988–1998)Lovitt, Rob (1991) "Rap Master Flash", Skiing, Vol 44 No 3: 164–166 (2011) biglines.com Thierry Donard and Nuit de la Glisse films (1989–present)Rège, Philippe (2009) Donard filmography Encyclopedia of French Film Directors Scarecrow Press Volume 1:330–331skitime No 62 pp 41–45 Scott Gaffney Productions and Straight Up Films (1993–1999)Mohler, Chaco (2000) "Reel Life Stories" Skiing, v53 #4:4C–8C annual films by Teton Gravity Research (1996–present)Shalbot, Chris (April 2013) “evo visits Teton Gravity Research" evo.com annual films by Steve Winter and Murray Wais of Matchstick Productions (1997–present)Carr, Dan (2010) Ski and Snow annual Sky Pinnick and Rage Films (2002–2009)Hagemeier, Heidi (2011) "Bend filmmaker Sky Pinnick" Bend OR:The BulletinRage Films Freeskiing Museum annual Howell brothers’ Powderwhore Productions (2005–2015)Tabke, Drew (2015) Powderwhore is Dead: Long Live Powderwhore Backcountry magazineTeleVision film review at SierraDescents.comCohen, Tyler (2014) A Decade of Powderwhores: BC Filmers Prepare To Turn 10 backcountrymagazine.com annual films by Johnny Decesare and Poor Boyz Productions (2007–present)Abbott, Nate (2015) Only the skiers matter: The past, present and future of Poor Boyz Productions FreeskierBraunstein, Zach; Parks, Megan (2008) "Ski Film Reasons Puts a New Spin on a Trick Flick Genre" US National Geographic adventure blog annual films by Josh Berman's Level 1 Productions (2009–2019)Krichko, Kade (2019) “Is Level 1 Done? We Asked Founder Josh Berman” PowderLuby, Kevin (2010) Skiing recent films by Sherpas Cinema,Clark, Adam "Sherpas" The Ski Journal issue 5.4 etc.
Other films Many ski film makers have initially or predominately released featurettes and short films, in addition to features.
Featurette and short film series Winston Pote winter films (1927–1943)Eastman, Tom (June 1998) Winston Pote Pioneer Photographer Skiing Heritage Vol 10 #2:7–11 annual Marcel Ichac ski films (1934–1950, 1957, 1972)Rège, Philippe (2009) Ichac Encyclopedia of French Film Directors Volume 1:515 Scarecrow Press Dick Durrance films (1940–1993)Dick Durrance Colorado Snowsports Museum Sverre Engen films (1944–1962)"Sverre Engen" (1971) Honored Members US National Ski Hall of Fame annual Jack Lesage and Cinépress ski films (1959–1984)Jack Lesage at numothèque grenoble-alpes Roger Brown and Barry Corbet freestyle Summit Films (1961–1988, 2012)"Films and Mini Films" (Jan 1970) Skiing Vol 22 #5:55Summit Films in Business Screen (1964) vol 25 #1:150 Harvey Edwards Films (1970–1986)Brady, M. Michael (2012) Mountain Gazette Joe Jay Jalbert Productions (1970–present)Rand, Abby (Feb 1977) "Joe Jay Jalbert: Reel Success" Ski Vol 41 #6:2 Alain Gaimard and Didier Lafond Apocalypse Snow series and other ski films (1981–1986, 2008)"Apocalypse Snow" The Ski Journal issue 3.2 annual Dominique Perret and Vertical Zoo films (1990–2012)Reifer, Susan (Oct 1998) “Dominique Magnifique” Skiing Vol 51 #2:61 annual Poor Boyz Productions (1996–2006) annual Free Radicals series films (1996–2011)Free Radicals Swedish Film InstituteLarsson, Tim (2021) “Classic Ski Movies: Where did they go?” Redbull.com Two Plank Productions (1997–2012)Dujardin, Ed (2012) "Two Plank Productions" Freeskier magazine freeskier.com Kris Ostness and Wind-Up Films (1999–2008)Davies, John Clary (2011) “First! Kris Ostness and Father Time” Powder.com annual Darrell Miller and Storm Show Studios (2000–2020)Forno, Cherise (2020) “Storm Show is back with the 'Top 100' lines from two decades of filming” Jackson Hole News & GuideMander, Brigid (2010) ESPN annual Geoff McDonald and Meathead Films (2000–2015)Fater, Tim (2014) PowderHewitt, Ben (2004) A Tribe Called Meat Skiing Vol 57#1:125–129,179–180 annual Level 1 Productions (2000–present) annual Josh Murphy and Unparalleled Productions (2000–2004)Bie, Tom (Dec 2002) "Soul Slide" Skiing Vol 55 #4:36 annual Pléhouse Films (2001–2007)Schnier, Susan; Rinfret, Thomas (Oct 2006) "Junkyard Jibbing" Skiing Vol 59 #2:104Pléhouse Films Freeskiing Museum annual Lionel Géhin and WW Productions (2001–2008)Raynaud, Mathieu (2007) Seventh Heaven skieur.com annual Martini brothers' Stept Productions (2002–2014)Dowaliby, Shane (2014) Stept Productions announces its 2014 ski film will be its last freeskier.com annual Falquet brothers' FLK productions (2002–2021)Falquet brothers, Skiing Prodigies (2021) directed by Pascal Magnin for Radio Télévision Suisse annual Heart Films (2006–present)Dream Chaser iF3 AJ Dakoulas and Andrew Napier's 4Bi9 Media (2007–present)Fielding, Leah (Feb 2012) "4Bi9" Freeskier vol 14.6:764Bi9 Media Freeskiing Museum annual Eric Pollard and Nimbus Independent productions (2007–present)Nimbus Independent Freeskiing MuseumBrown, Julie (August 26, 2014) Nimbus Releases Coordinates Powder.com annual Mike Douglas and Switchback Entertainment productions (2007–present)Hampton, Christie (2014) Words with Mike Douglas snowsbest.comThrendyle, Steve (2025) Mike Douglas: Godfather of Freeskiing Skiing History v37 #1:14–16 annual Nicholas Waggoner and Sweetgrass Productions (2008–present)Ski Cine (2008) Ski Press Vol 8 no 1:8Blevins, Jason (9/13/2013) Ski film "Valhalla" takes tired adventure genre to new heights The Denver Post annual Legs of Steel releases (2010–present)Menzies, Carson and Grinnell, Charlie (2016) Legs of Steel Redbull.com annual Dubsatch Collective releases (2011–present)Allen, Dana (2013) "Stuff We Like: Dubsatch Collective" Ski Magazine annual releases from The Bunch (2013–present)Grant-Krenz, Jordan (2022) Many Fantasies Later Freeskier annual Blank Collective releases (2015–present)Foersterling, Jack (2018) Before Blank Takes Us Back to Our Roots Powder
Ski film may also refer to a fictional theatrical-release sports film which incorporates a skiing theme,Senn, Bryan (2022) Ski Films: A Comprehensive Guide McFarland Lund, Morten & Schwartz, Gary (1996) "The First Hollywood Ski Movies" Skiing Heritage Journal Vol 8 #1:30–33 although the on-snow scenes may have been enhanced by the use of stunt doubles for the actors and special effects.
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