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, locations, or skiers. Categories include the feature, documentary of competition or other event coverage, instruction or technique demonstration, retrospective history, travel guide showcasing a region, or a short subject. More than 200 such videos debuted in 2006. Notable examples are listed at the Ski and Snowboard Film Institute, or have received awards from the International Ski Film Festival, IF3 International Freeski Film Festival, Cold Smoke Winter Film, Powder magazine, or similar.
Feature film
-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 and are now available via home video. Official film trailers, released 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 and
*manmade,
location scenery,
introduction of participants and transitions with voice-over narration,
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. 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. 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.
annual Eric Pollard and Nimbus Independent productions
annual Mike Douglas and Switchback Entertainment productions
annual Nicholas Waggoner and Sweetgrass Productions
annual Dubsatch Collective releases
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, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Spain, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and United States.
