When summer heat takes hold, we turn to movies.
For a guilty summer pleasure, there’s nothing quite like setting work aside, closing the blinds and firing up an afternoon movie at home with the kids.
Not only are ski movies fun to watch, but I’m convinced that watching them can make you a better skier.
Today, we’ve got a new list of the best skiing and snowboarding movies drawn from the UK’s Daily Telegraph. Hopefully, it includes some films that are new to you.
Rather than recreate the entire list, here are our top picks. Use the link above to access the entire list of thirteen films.
All links take you to sites for streaming.
Finally, please note, some of these films have, shall we say, “salty” language.
Eddie the Eagle
This 2016 feature film is a family favorite, a fictionalized account of British ski jumper Eddie Edwards’ improbable path to Olympic fame. As a boy, Edwards yearned to be an Olympian and ski jumping became his ticket to the Games. Eddie the Eagle is fun and inspirational.
Of all the films on this list, Eddie the Eagle is the best ski movie for families. Rated PG-13. 1 hour, 46 minutes.
Streif: One Hell of a Ride
Billed as the “ultimate ski race movie,” Streif is a documentary about the famous/infamous Streif downhill course at Kitzbühel. The film features top names in men’s ski racing circa 2014, including Aksel Lund Svindal and Marcel Hirscher. Retired US downhiller Daron Ralhves is one of the narrators.
Streif proves that downhill racing takes a special type of courage. Includes plenty of terrifying crashes. 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Lindsey Vonn: The Climb
Another downhill racing documentary, Lindsey Vonn: The Climb follows Lindsey Vonn through two crashes, two surgeries and extensive rehab as she works to rebuild her knees and return to racing shape for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. If you’ve wondered how top athletes can be injured, recover and get injured again, without losing their competitive edge, this 52 minute film will give you some insight.
The Crash Reel
The Crash Reel follow Kevin Pearce, from the top of the US snowboarding world (along with his friend Sean White), through a massive training crash that resulted in a life-changing head injury. Pearce has been lucky. While he no longer competes, he still love snowsports. More importantly, he has created a larger role for himself as an advocate for traumatic brain injury education and research, as well as a Sports Ambassador for the National Downs Syndrome Society.
You can learn more about Kevin Pearce and the Love Your Brain Foundation here. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
Claim
Claim aims high, billing itself as “The Greatest Ski Movie…EVER! While this claim is largely made in jest, it’s the last feature-length film featuring Shane McConkey. A Matchstick Productions film, other featured athletes include Ingrid Backstrom and Simon Dumont. 1 hour, 14 minutes.
Honorable Mention: McConkey
In addition to Claim, the Daily Telegraph list includes McConkey, a 2013 documentary and tribute film. 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Afterglow
Here’s one you can watch right now. A short, 11-minute film, that pushes the genre, Afterglow is perhaps best known for the light suit segment. But the entire film is a work of art. It’s a much watch for all ages.
Find the full Daily Telegraph list, The 13 Best Skiing and Snowboarding Films, here.
Enjoy!
Other suggestions? Please share them in the comments! Thanks.
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