The Best Ski Movies of All Time

Aspen Extreme (1993)

Sure, writer and director, Patrick Hasburgh creatively lifted and shifted the entire plot of Top Gun from the cockpit of a F-14 Tomcat to the posh and entitled slopes of a Colorado ski resort. But let's be honest, Aspen Extreme could possibly be the best movie ever made.

A buddy film about doing the raddest thing you can think of: dropping everything to get in a van and go be ski instructors out West, Aspen Extreme is far more polished and nuanced than you remember. TJ Burke and Dexter Rutecki, as played by Paul Gross and Peter Berg, are dynamic, three dimensional characters. Unlike the heroes in most tentpoles, they make difficult choices that puts their morality into question. They end up leaving "the one" to help save their buddy, and they end up being strung out and roughed up for getting in with the wrong people. Of course they have great times partying up at Bryce's luxurious abode, but the pendulum swings both ways.

As for the film, the ski scenes are excellent. The humorous dialogue never overstays its welcome. And the plot stays within its swimlane. For instance, unlike Rad, who's Championship Event (Helltrack) just so happens upon a tiny town USA, Cochrane, Oregon, Aspen Extreme's Powder Eight would legitimately occur at a resort the size and prestige level of Aspen. Go on and make the argument that two fellas from the middle of Michigan skiing all 230 feet of vertical drop, Mount Brighton, couldn't possibly make it to the Powder Eight. But before you do, remind yourself that it's not the Olympics, and two ski bum-turn-instructors that decimated the Bob Seger soundtracked tryouts wouldn't seem out of place in such a competition.

Ski School (1990)

Ski Patrol (1990)

Hot Dog ... The Movie (1984)

Better Off Dead (1985)

I want my two dollars!

If you remember nothing from Better Off Dead, not even the ski scenes, you will remember a paperboy who chases protagonist, Lane Meyer throughout Greendale, and eventually up the hill as he puts planks on his rad BMX bike. Moving beyond Johnny Gasparini (the paperboy), Better Off Dead is not only one of the best John Hughes movies, it's also a phenomenal ski movie.

Lane Meyer, as played by absolute legend, John Cusack, loses his girl to the ski captain, which is how all 80s comeback stories start. The ski captain, it couldn't be more on the nose. Speaking of noses, Charles De Mar's assessment that the mountain has so much street value, is part and parcel for the times. And who can't relate to the undying feeling that life will never sort itself out as a teenager when you have a hot rod Camaro that won't start and you're freshly minted single?

Perhaps nothing was better though than Lane winning the race on one ski, winning back his ex, and immediately bouncing her for Diane Franklin, also known as Princess Joanna from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. A most triumphant victory!

As for the filming, the cast and crew went on set primarily in Utah, using action shots from Alta, Brighton, and Snowbird.

Out Cold

Set at fictional Bull Mountain, a ski resort in Alaska, is 2001's Out Cold, a ski film which attempts to lampoon the great ski films of the 80s and 90s, but ends up just being a really solid ski film in and of itself. An underrated cast consisting of Jason London, Zach Galifinakis, A.J. Cook and more, gets into the typical plot of hijinks and tomfoolery before "The Man" steps in, as played by Lee Majors, to try and corporatize the small independent ski mountain.

And we all know that there's only one way to defeat The Man, and that's doubling down on more slopeside escapades and mischief. Long story short, people get drunk, parties get wild, and ultimately, the mountain gets saved. Truly a cult classic.

If Aspen Extreme is Top Gun on the ski slopes (their words, it's right on the case), then Out Cold is Empire Records on a mountain instead of a music store. Personally, we think Papa Muntz would be proud to have made this list of the best ski movies of all-time.

One small fact, pro snowboarder, Todd Richards even made it into the film. Guy grew up just miles away from Wachusett Mountain in the East.

Steep and Deep

Warren Miller

Ski School 2 (1994)

Hot Tub Time Machine

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

Dumb and Dumber