Ski film

A ski film is a motion picture with sequences of expedition, recreation, competition, or acrobatic exhibition on snow skis. These non-fiction 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), instruction or technique demonstration, retrospective history, travel guide showcasing a region, or a short subject (such as a webisode or included in a newsreel compilation).^[1] More than 200 such videos debuted in 2006.^[2] Notable examples are listed at the Ski and Snowboard Film Institute,^[3] or have received awards from the International Ski Film Festival,^[4][5] IF3 International Freeski Film Festival, Cold Smoke Winter Film,^[6] Powder magazine,^[7] 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 circuit^[8][9] and are now available via home video and internet download.

Official film trailers, released online to advertise the coming feature, present highlights of the film. Feature content typically includes

• Title sequence indicating major sponsors,
• sequences of multiple descents through varied terrain features, both
  • natural (meadow, tree glades, couloir, cliff) and
  • manmade (groomed slopes, moguls, jump ramps, race course markers, half-pipe, rails),
• location scenery,
• introduction of participants and transitions with voice-over narration,
• contemporary or classic music,
• closing credits listing filming locations, all sponsors, and any segments outsourced to other production teams.

Many features include sequences of other mountain, airborne, water, or speed sports.^[10] 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.^[11][12] 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)^[13][14]
• Victor Coty ski films (1933 - 1969)^[15][16]
• Frank Howard Films (1935 - 1960)^[17][18]
• annual Sidney Shurcliff films (1938 - 1941) ^[19][20][21]
• annual John Jay Films (1940 - 1970)^[22][23]
• Hans Thorner films (1948 - 1955)^[24][25]
• annual Warren Miller and successor Warren Miller Entertainment films (1949–present)^[26][27]
• annual Hans Gmoser films (1958 - 1968)^[28][29]
• annual Dick Barrymore films (1961 - 1980)^[30]
• Willy Bogner, Jr. films (1966 - 2009)^[31][32][33]
• annual Greg Stump films (1985 - 1998, 2012)^[34][35][36]
• Peter Chrzanowski films (1988 - 1997)^[37][38][39]
• annual films by James Angrove and Jon Long of Real Action Pictures (1988 - 1998)^[40][41]
• Thierry Donard and Nuit de la Glisse films (1989–present)^[42][43]
• Scott Gaffney Productions and Straight Up Films (1993 - 1999)^[44]
• annual films by Teton Gravity Research (1996–present)^[45]
• annual films by Steve Winter and Murray Wais of Matchstick Productions (1997–present)^[46]
• annual Sky Pinnick and Rage Films (2002 - 2009)^[47]
• annual Howell brothers Powderwhore Productions (2005–present)^[48][49]
• annual films by John DeCesare and Poor Boyz Productions (2007–present)^[50][51]
• annual films by Josh Berman's Level 1 Productions (2009–present)^[52]
• recent films by Sherpas Cinema,^[53] 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)^[54]
• annual Marcel Ichac ski films (1934 - 1950, 1957, 1972)^[55]
• Dick Durrance films (1940 - 1993)^[56]
• Sverre Engen films (1944 - 1962)^[57]
• Roger Brown and Barry Corbet freestyle Summit Films (1967 - 1988, 2012)^[58][59]
• Harvey Edwards Films (1970 - 1986)^[60]
• Joe Jay Jalbert Productions (1970 - present)^[61]
• Alain Gaimard and Didier Lafond Apocalypse Snow series and other ski films (1981 - 1986, 2008)^[62]
• annual Dominique Perret and Vertical Zoo films (1990 - 2012)^[63]
• annual Poor Boyz Productions (1996 - 2006)
• annual Free Radicals series films (1996 - 2011)^[64][65]
• Two Plank Productions (1997 - 2012) ^[66]
• Kris Ostness and Wind-Up Films (1999 - 2008)^[67]
• annual Geoff McDonald and Meathead Films (2000 - 2010)^[68][69]
• annual Level 1 Productions (2000 - 2008)
• annual Josh Murphy and Unparalleled Productions (2000 - 2004)^[70]
• annual Pléhouse Films (2001 - 2007)^[71][72]
• annual Lionel Gehin and Rastafaride series films (2001 - 2008)^[73]
• annual Darrell Miller and Storm Show Studios (2002 - 2013)^[74]
• annual Martini brothers Stept Productions (2002 - 2014)^[75][76]
• annual Falquet brothers' FLK productions (2002 - present)^[77]
• annual Filip Christensen and Field Productions (2004 - 2008)^[78]
• AJ Dakoulas and Andrew Napier's 4Bi9 Media (2007 - present)^[79]
• annual Eric Pollard and Nimbus Independent productions (2007 - present)^[80][81]
• annual Mike Douglas and Switchback Entertainment productions (2007 - present)^[82][83]
• annual Nicholas Waggoner and Sweetgrass Productions (2008 - present)^[84][85]
• annual Dubsatch Collective releases (2011 - present)^[86]

Ski film may also refer to a fictional theatrical-release comedy or drama which incorporates a skiing theme, although the on-snow scenes may have been enhanced by the use of stunt doubles for the actors and special effects.

Film festivals

Ski, snow, adventure and mountain film festivals are held in Switzerland (Les Diablerets/FIFAD), Austria (Graz, St. Anton), Germany (Tegernsee), Italy (Cortina, Trento), France (Annecy, Dijon, Val d'Isère, Chamonix), Russia (Moscow), Spain (Torello), Canada (Banff, Montreal, Whistler, Rossland), United Kingdom (London FreeSki, Fort William, Kendal), New Zealand (Wanaka) and United States (Ishpeming, Jackson Hole, Steamboat Springs, New York City, Midwest, Crested Butte, Mammoth, Missoula, Lake Tahoe, Stowe, North Bend, Boulder, Whitefish, Flagstaff, Williamstown, Mount Snow).^[87][88][89]

See also

• List of mainstream films with skiing scenes
• List of sports films#Skiing
• Surf film
• Travel documentary
• Winter sport

References

1. Verschoth, Anita (2 Oct 1978) "Out of the Mouth of Babe: Silence" Sports Illustrated
2. Skipress Vol 6 No 2:12
3. "Ski & Snowboard Film Institute" U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum
4. First rate flicks (Jan 1975) Ski Vol 39 #5:31
5. "Ispeming’s International Ski Film Festival" (2012) culture.evo.com
6. Coldsmoke Winter Film coldsmokeco.com
7. Powder Awards History powder.com
8. Barronian, Abbie (2013) "Film Premiere Schedule" Powder Magazine
9. Fry, John (2010) The Story of Modern Skiing Hanover: University Press of New England ISBN 978-1584658962 pg 278-280
10. Oliver, Peter (1991) "Reel Life: Ski filmmaking through the years", Skiing, Vol 44 No 3:155
11. Von Moltke, Johannes (2005) No Place Like Home: Locations of Heimat in German Cinema University of California Press ISBN 9780520244115 pg 45
12. Inkster, Darlene (2012) Film Pioneers: Arnold Fanck pg 19 in Directory of World Cinema: Germany edited by Michelle Langford, Intellect Books ISBN 9781841504650
13. Tanous, Adam (2012) "Ski Films: Big Air, Big Mountains and Big Laughs". Sun Valley Magazine
14. Moulton, Richard W. (2002) Film's Role in Popularizing Alpine Skiing in America in Collected Papers of the International Ski History Congress, ed. E. John B. Allen (New Hartford, Conn.: International Skiing History Association, 2002), 190-194
15. Kuhnert, Amanda (2012) "Victor Coty" Stowe Guide and Magazine Stowe Reporter pg 83-87
16. Miller, Peter (Nov 1984) Ski People: Victor Coty Ski Vol. 49 Page 16E
17. US National Ski Hall of Fame "Dr. Frank Howard" (1987) Honored Members
18. Cohen, Stan (1985) A Pictorial History of Downhill Skiing Pictorial Histories Pub. Co ISBN 0-933126-55-7 pp 186-187
19. Jay, John (1966) Ski Down the Years NY: Award House LCCN 66021960 pg 195
20. Harvard University Library archive
21. Allen, E. John B. (2002) New Hampshire on Skis Arcadia Publishing ISBN 9781439628591 page 107
22. Lund, Morten (1996) "Skiing Down those Golden Years with John Jay", Skiing Heritage Journal, Vol 8 Number 2: 7-26
23. Cohen, Stan (1985) A Pictorial History of Downhill Skiing Pictorial Histories Pub. Co ISBN 0-933126-55-7 pp 186-187
24. Biography at newenglandskihistory.com
25. Robbins, Paul (Spring 1986) Little Bit of Magic Skiing Vol 38 #7:14
26. Konigsberg, Eric (2009) "Still King of the Cinematic Slopes" New York Times
27. In Camera (2011) KODAK.com
28. Donahue, Topher (2008) Bugaboo Dreams: A Story of Skiers, Helicopters and Mountains ISBN 1897522118
29. Dart, Ron (2010) Hans Gmoser The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica Canada
30. Lund, Morten (Nov 1969) "Dick Barrymore, we ask you--are you making it?" Ski Vol 34 #3:150-8
31. Doran, Patricia (January 1975) "Willy Bogner, Jr" Ski Vol 39 #5:32
32. Stebbins, Neil (Sep 1995) "Willy's World" Ski Vol 60 #1:174-180
33. "Willy Bogner Film" bogner.com
34. Finkel, Mike (1991) "Helter Skelter" Skiing Vol 44 No 3:160-162
35. "Return of the Blizzard King" (2008) Ski Press Vol 8 No 1:8
36. (2012) Greg Stump interview offpistemag.com
37. Skiing (Dec 1992) "Video Review" Vol 45 #4: 144
38. "Peter Chrzanowski" Extreme Explorations explorex.net
39. Lanthier, Nancy (2010) Taking it from the Top Issue 77 Spring POV Magazine
40. Lovitt, Rob (1991) "Rap Master Flash", Skiing, Vol 44 No 3: 164-166
41. "James Angrove Set to Remaster the RAP FILMS Library" (2011) biglines.com
42. Rège, Philippe (2009) Encyclopedia of French Film Directors Scarecrow Press Volume 1:330-331
43. skitime No 62 pp 41-45
44. Mohler, Chaco (2000) "Reel Life Stories" Skiing, December 2000 pg 4C-8C
45. Shalbot, Chris (2013) "Teton Gravity Research" evo.com
46. Carr, Dan (2010) "Behind the Scenes"
47. Hagemeier, Heidi (2011) "Bend filmmaker Sky Pinnick" The Bulletin Bend OR
48. TeleVision film review at sierradescents.com
49. Cohen, Tyler (2014) A Decade of Powderwhores: BC Filmers Prepare To Turn 10 backcountrymagazine.com
50. Symms, John (2011) "Ski Movies" ESPN
51. Braunstein, Zach; Parks, Megan (2008) "Ski Film Reasons Puts a New Spin on a Trick Flick Genre" US National Geographic adventure blog
52. Luby, Kevin (2010) "Josh Berman" Skiing skinet.com
53. Clark, Adam "Sherpas" The Ski Journal issue 5.4
54. Eastman, Tom (June 1998) Winston Pote Pioneer Photographer Skiing Heritage Vol 10 #2:7-11
55. Rège, Philippe (2009) Encyclopedia of French Film Directors Volume 1:515 Scarecrow Press
56. Colorado Ski Hall of Fame skimuseum.net
57. "Sverre Engen" (1971) Honored Members US National Ski Hall of Fame
58. "Films and Mini Films" (Jan 1970) Skiing Vol 22 #5:55
59. Lund, Morten (1972) The Skier's Bible Doubleday ISBN 0-385-04733-9 pg 167
60. Brady, M. Michael (2012) Harvey Edwards, Eclectic Filmaker and Author Mountain Gazette
61. Rand, Abby (Feb 1977) "Joe Jay Jalbert: Reel Success" Ski Vol 41 #6:2
62. "Apocalypse Snow" The Ski Journal issue 3.2
63. Reifer, Susan (Oct 1998) “Dominique Magnifique” Skiing, Vol 51 #2: 61
64. Free Radicals Swedish Film Institute
65. Revuelta, Raul (2011) 2011 Free Radicals: The Sunny Side
66. Dujardin, Ed (2012) "Two Plank Productions" Freeskier magazine freeskier.com
67. Davies, John Clary (2011) “First! Kris Ostness and Father Time” Powder.com
68. Jane Lindholm, Samantha Fields (2011) "Meatheads" Vermont Public Radio
69. Fater, Tim (2014) The Meatheads’ New Plan powder.com
70. Bie, Tom (Dec 2002) "Soul Slide" Skiing Vol 55 #4:36
71. Schnier, Susan; Rinfret, Thomas (Oct 2006) "Junkyard Jibbing" Skiing Vol 59 #2:104
72. Pléhouse Films (2011) SBCSkier
73. XVZ Extreme Movie Database extreme-vidz.com
74. Mander, Brigid (2010) 10 Years of Jackson Hole ESPN
75. Nick Martini The North Face
76. Dowaliby, Shane (2014) Stept Productions announces its 2014 ski film will be its last freeskier.com
77. Desmurs, Guillaume (2014) Interview: Falquet brothers – skiers & filmmakers RedBull.com
78. "Field Productions" The Ski Journal issue 5.2
79. Fielding, Leah (Feb 2012) "4Bi9" Freeskier vol 14.6:76
80. Meyr, Kyle (2 May 2014) Nimbus Independent’s new film: After The Sky Falls RedBull.com
81. Brown, Julie (August 26, 2014) Nimbus Releases Coordinates Powder.com
82. Hampton, Christie (2014) Words with Mike Douglas snowsbest.com
83. Desabris, Jonathan (2015) Mike Douglas Ask Me Anything Recap TetonGravity.com
84. Ski Cine (2008) Ski Press Vol 8 no 1:8
85. Blevins, Jason (9/13/2013) Ski film "Valhalla" takes tired adventure genre to new heights The Denver Post
86. Allen, Dana (2013) Stuff We Like: Dubsatch Collective Ski Magazine www.skinet.com
87. Hartemann, Frederic; Hauptman, Robert (2005) The Mountain Encyclopedia: An A to Z Compendium of Over 2,250 Terms, Concepts, Ideas, and People Taylor Trade Publishing ISBN 9781461703310 pg 80
88. Hall, Brian (29 June 2012) MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVALS steepedge.com
89. Leonard, Brendan (2013) 7 mountain film festivals worth checking out Red Bull.com

• Azallion, Nancy (Oct 1967) 'Skiing movies going "legit"' Skiing Vol. 20, No. 1:121-122
• Oliver, Peter (1991) "Reel Life: Ski filmmaking through the years", Skiing, Vol 44 No 3: 150-155
• Audisio, Aldo; Natta Soleri, Angelica (1997) Snow & Ski : Neve E Sci Nei Manifesti del Cinema ISBN 9788885903678
• Yaple, Henry M. (2004) Ski Bibliography 1890-2002 International Skiing History Association, items 1487-2123, 3630-4287
• Masia, Seth (2006) "Moving Pictures" Skiing Heritage Journal Vol. 18, No. 3: 37-39
• Anthony, Leslie (2010) White Planet: A Mad Dash Through Modern Global Ski Culture Greystone Books Ltd ISBN 9781553656463 pp 83–84, 213-220, 295
• Sax, David (2013) "Skiing Films Now Have Stories to Match the Stunts" New York Times

External links

• ski movies album at Vimeo
• Ski Film Catalogue at x-tremevideo.com
• Ski Movies at inspiredmedia.tv
• Ski genre at vaporvue.com online video service
• Trailers at EarlyUps.com
• Teaser Tank 2015-2016 at skiing magazine
• Trailer Time: Watch 2015’s best ski film trailers all in one place at freeskier.com
• Trailer Park at Powder.com
• Mousseau, Jason (2014) 2014 Ski Movie Trailers at NewSchoolers.com
• Video cover art and trailers by year at extreme-vidz.com
• Ski Film definition and reviews at skistarmovies.com
• Reviews at skifilmreviews.com
• Reviews and trailers at offpistemag.com
• Bosco, Scott (April 2014) Top 5 Ski Films of 2013-14 Ski Season at theskichannel.com
• ESPN Action Sports Ski and Snowboard Video Awards
• Skiing (Oct 2009) The Cinema pg 26-27
• Ski Union videos at mpora.com
• Ski Film list by Ross Collicutt at PureOutside.com
• Ski Movie List at Blogspot.com