Top 5 snowy films to make you excited about skiing season

A BEACH BUM’S GUIDE TO SKIING

I am a big believer that a holiday starts the moment you make that first booking. That first confirmation email is the moment I start planning my itinerary and even my packing list and, most importantly, start getting excited! Ever since I got an iPad, that packing list also includes the films or TV series that I am going to watch on the plane/boat/car journey. And with the risk of you thinking that I have the entertainment mentality of a 5-year old, I confess that I find myself trying to find films or TV series with a plot or background to match my travel destination in order to get in the mood and build up my excitement! Case in point, a skiing holiday requires snowy films!

Talking about ski trips... Not sure if you ever noticed this, but good skiing films or just films with a snowy background are not easy to find. However, after some thorough research over the years, I have compiled the ultimate top 5 snowy films which will leave you lusting over mountains, snow blizzards and wool jumpers. Most importantly, they will make you stop thinking about your knees hitting the seat in front of you on your budget flight!  

Be warned, the films below where chosen for their snowy contents and easy going but truly enjoyable stories. There are no crazy plots, unexpected endings or life changing messages. I am not keen on crying on airplanes. 

1. IRON WILL

An oldie but a goodie and my personal favourite.

You‘ll know the ending but you will still be stressing and cheering for Will! When young Will Stoneman’s father dies, he and his mother desperately try to save their farm from bankruptcy. Lured by the promise of a big monetary price, he decides to join a cross country dogsled race through ice cold Canada. There, apart from harsh conditions, he will face cut throat competition and unlikely friends and foes.

Watch the trailer here.

2. CHALET GIRL 

The rom-com.

Felicity Jones is an unlikely chalet girl after deciding to take the job without ever having set foot on a mountain. Luckily, she ends up in the posh chalet owned by the rich family of Bill Nighy and Brook Shields. There, she quickly realises that her past as a skateboard prodigy comes in handy while attempting to teach herself snowboarding. When she decides to train for a snowboarding competition, the handsome yet engaged son Ed Westwick becomes a welcomed distraction…   

Watch the trailer here.

3. EIGHT BELOW

A tale of friendship unfolding in a spectacular backdrop of ice and snow.

After a serious accident in their base in Antarctica, a team of scientists and explorers have no choice but to evacuate leaving their sled dogs to fend for their survival from the unforgiving conditions. The dogsled guide (played by Paul Walker) desperately tries to go back to save them but no one is willing to take him there as winter sets. Will the dogs survive until he comes back for them?

Watch the trailer here.

4. EDDIE THE EAGLE

Based on the true story of an unlikely hero, this film will entertain and inspire you.

Eddie Edwards, the tenacious British underdog ski jumper never stopped believing in himself. Even though an entire nation counted him out. With the help of a rebel of a coach (played by Hugh Jackman) he makes it to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary where he wins the hearts of sports fans around the world and becomes the first competitor since 1928 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping!

Watch the trailer here.

5. COOL RUNNINGS

Also based on a true story and also set on 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary (those Games were truly amazing!). If you have not seen this film, you have missed out on life!

After four talented Jamaican runners miss their chance to take part in the Olympics, they decide to form a… bobsleigh team under the guidance of a shady coach. Being native Jamaicans, their familiarity with cold and ice is non-existent, yet, they set to compete in the upcoming winter Olympics!

Watch the trailer here.

TOP TIP: If you are forever busy with work or life admin and feel like you don’t even have the energy or mental capacity to get excited about your holiday then try watching holiday/destination related films a few days before your trip. This will sure get you in the mood! If you travel with a group of friends or family, why don’t you gather everyone at home the weekend before, prepare some popcorn, drink some wine and get excited?

Hope you enjoy!

P.S. As I love all things snow, I am eager to make this list longer. Any suggestions? Oh, by the way, if you love wanderlust inspiring TV, check out this blog post…