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Top Ten Ski and Snowboard Films

 

Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman star in Eddie the Eagle. (Image courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment.)

Bored at home and missing the pistes? Well, book a ski holiday! However, if, for whatever reason, you're not able to pop over to the Alps last minute, we've compiled a list of the best ski films to watch, so that you can (kind of) experience the thrill of the slopes while you're at home.

 

Passenger (2015)

From notorious ski group Legs of Steel, this flick sees the riders travel across several continents taking park and freeride skiing to the extreme. It includes a particularly spectacular scene, where the whole team attempt a massive jump at the Stubai terrain park in Austria.

 

Pretty Faces: The Story of a Skier Girl (2014)

This all-female film from Unicorn Picnic set out to offer young girls role models and truly capture what it means to ski like a girl. Funded by a kick-starter campaign, the inspirational project showcases the talents of some of the world's best female snowsports athletes.

 

The Blizzard of AAHHHH's (1988)

Greg Stump's 'rockumentary' pushed him and extreme skiing into the limelight back in the late 80s. Starring Mike Hattrup, Scot Schmidt and legendary skier Glen Plake, it follows the riders tackling some of the world's most sensational ski destinations, including the steep couloirs of Chamonix.

 

Eddie the Eagle (2016)

Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman star in the humorous and heart-warming film, which won over audiences and critics alike last year. It's based on the true story of a British Olympic ski jumper, who proved almost anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

 

Deep and Light (1950)

No list of ski movies would be complete without a Warren Miller flick, and we've gone for his first major work. It captures the joy of the early days of snowsports in Sun Valley and Yosemite, and began his seven decade career of making ski movies.

 

McConkey (2013)

This heartfelt film biography about the legendary Shane McConkey, a professional skier and BASE jumper, follows the athlete through his career, and examines his continued influence over the sport of skiing.

 

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

007 has taken to the slopes on many occasions but The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore as the MI6 agent, is, arguably, the ultimate Bond ski movie. Set in Austria but largely made in St Moritz, the movie's opening scenes feature a high-speed chase down the slopes and an insane cliff jump (which was actually filmed on Baffin Island in Canada).

 

Steep (2007)

Written and directed by Mark Obenhaus, this documentary explores the history of extreme skiing from the 1960s until the early noughties, featuring several freeriding icons, including Bill Briggs, Shane McConkey and Doug Coombs.

 

The Crash Reel (2013)

Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, this thought-provoking documentary compiles 15 years of footage showcasing the epic rivalry between half-pipe legends Shaun White and Kevin Pearce, who started their friendship as kids, and went on to become number one and two in the world leading up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

 

Claim (2008)

Proclaiming to be the 'greatest ski movie… EVER!', this documentary doesn't fall far short of its own humorous assertion, poking fun at the snowsports industry as a whole and featuring Shane McConkey in his last starring role.

 

Other ones to watch...

Steep and Deep (1985) – another Warren Miller project, featuring skiers and riders travelling across the US, France, Japan and New Zealand.

The Fourth Phase (2016) – arriving in October last year, this documentary follows renowned snowboarder Travis Rice as he travel to some of the most remote locations on Earth.

Lindsey Vonn: The Climb (2015) - this insightful documentary chronicles Vonn's struggle to reclaim her place at the top of the competitive ski world, following two major knee surgeries.

Chalet Girl (2011) – very unlikely to be everyone's cup of tea, but if you fancy a cheese-tastic, easy-to-watch rom-com, featuring Oscar-nominated Felicity Jones learning to snowboard, then this is for you.

Have we missed out your favourite ski or snowboard film? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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