Comedy writers of the 80s and 90s looked at situations where large groups of rebellious youth could party of otherwise tick off the “adult” establishment. Golf courses (Caddy Shack), the army (Stripes), colleges (Animal House) and countless beach and vacation locations.
It was only natural that these movies would make their way to ski resorts. The ski industry had been building up since the late 19th century, but really took off with the invention of lifts and the return of troops from the 10th Mountain Division who learned to ski to navigate the Alps.
The first modern ski club was organized in New Hampshire in 1880. However, a major turning point was the 1930s, when the first rope tow was installed in 1934 in Woodstock, Vermont.
The original ski mountains were basically any farmer with a decent hill, lots of natural snow, and perhaps an old farm truck made into a tow rope.
The 60s and 70s saw more development and consolidation of ski spots into mountains with chairlifts. But the more modern resorts really started taking hold in the 80s with major developments and investments, especially with more interest from the general public in winter sports with US successes in hockey and skiing events in the Winter Olympics.
Resorts offering nightlife or apres ski activities were a necessary ingredient for ski party movies, as well as access to ski places to the general public rather than just the elite. As the developments grew, group trips to high schoolers and colleges enticed novice skiers to the slopes and introduced a new generation to the sport of skiing.
I myself recall going skiing for the first time with a church group when my dad was stationed in Germany back in the late 70s.
The ski movies of this era were cheaply made and aimed at horny teenagers. Light on plot but heavy on the ski stunts, bare-chested ladies, and partying.
Common themes, like many of the comedies of the era, were those of the underdogs besting the wealthy snobby guys, getting the girls, and fighting for their rights to party.
Parental barriers are rare, and the situation allows the teenager or college kids to party unhindered by disapproving adults or even common sense.
Ski School (1991) – Skiing is a high-stakes game for Reid Janssens (Mark Thomas Miller), the preppy, pretentious and very serious skier who rules the slopes. And then there’s Dave Marshak (Dean Cameron), a reckless party animal, but with equally impressive skills on white powder. Like oil & water, these two do not mix. So, it’s a fight to the finish as they set out to win the title in the end-of-season downhill race, which tests their endurance as they battle one another on and off the slopes in the action-comedy Ski School.
Ski Patrol (1990) – The lease on the Snowy Peaks Lodge, a popular ski resort, is up for renewal and it’s owner Pops (Ray Walston, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) has no worries about signing a new lease. Despite his Ski Patrol, an out-of-control group of skiers led by Jerry (Roger Rose, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives) and Iceman (T.K. Carter, John Carpenter’s The Thing), the resort has an impeccable safety record. However, a devious land developer (Martin Mull, Clue) has other plans in mind for the resort and hires the talents of a young blonde named Lance (Corby Timbrook, The Glass Shield) to undermine the Ski Patrol’s efforts to keep the slopes safe.Featuring an all-star supporting cast including Leslie Jordan (“Will & Grace”), Paul Feig (Bridesmaids), Stephen Hytner (“Seinfeld”) and comedian George Lopez (“George Lopez”) combined with extraordinary aerial stunts, impressive snowboarding with an incredible downhill showdown, all add to the excitement as the Ski Patrol does their best to save Pop’s Mountain.
Hot Dog …The Movie! (1984)– The Iconic ’80s T&A Cult Classic – For the First Time Ever in its Original Uncut Version!
Harkin Banks (Patrick Houser) is an American hot-dogger who enters a winter skiing competition and goes pole-to-pole with Rudi (John Patrick Reger), an arrogant Austrian pro who will do anything to win! As Harkin’s “Rat Pack” and Rudi’s “Rudettes” battle on and off the slopes, Rudi’s ultra-sexy ex-girlfriend (Shannon Tweed, Playboy’s 1982 Playmate of the Year) sets her sights on Harkin with a few “pointers” of her own. Culminating in a final and dangerous “Chinese Downhill” race, only one will be victorious! See and hear HOT DOG … THE MOVIE the way it was always meant to be in this “Unrated Producer’s Cut” of the iconic ’80s T&A ski-comedy classic! Remastered in 4K from the uncut 35mm camera negative and remixed in 5.1 surround sound, this is writer/co-producer Mike Marvin’s original version of the film, containing additional nudity, sex and restored scenes not included in the 1984 theatrical release.
Out Cold (2003) – Rick Rambis and his friends are having the time of their lives on Bull Mountain—until the legendary Papa Muntz’ son decides to sell the mountain to a sleazy land developer, have the staff fired and turn Bull Mountain into ‘Yuppieville’.
Kind of a dumb comedy billed as “Animal House on the ice (sic)” but it has some interesting casting. No real nudity as it sticks to it’s PG-13 rating and familiar storyline — locals favorite ski resort about to be taken over by the rich, greedy ski resort developer – Lee Majors (Six Million Dollar Man) who plays a guy with the last name of Majors no less. Zach Galifianakis shows up in an early career role.
The Rise of the Underdogs
The Ronald Reagan era of the late 80s set off a new wave of film that centered on the underdogs of society. Reagan and the GOP lambasted the “welfare queens”, fought the war on drugs which imprisoned mostly the poor, and gave rise the “Greed is Good” (Wall St.) era with yuppies seemingly taking over.f;;;;l
A lot of 80s comedies was centered around some kind of conflict between the low-income, scrappy underdogs and the evil, rich elites that hung out in these recreational environments.
It could be Little League fields, the local golf course, high schools, colleges or ski resorts. Some examples include:
- The Bad News Bears 1976
- Caddyshack 1980
- Trading Places 1983
- Breaking Away 1979
- Brazil 1985
Eighties comedies had a strong undercurrent of class warfare, as the Reagan-era, go-go-go economy was well underway. Preppie culture and the “Greed is good” voodoo economic mindset were in, and these movies could be seen as a sort of backlash against those attitudes.