Have you ever wanted to relive your favorite movie scene? To be chased down the mountainside by a Bond villain, or kissed on the highest peak in the Alps by a forbidden lover? (That last one was a bit dramatic, but you get the idea.) Well, you’re not alone. There are dozens of movies that feature winter sports or relaxing holiday vacations, and the majority of them take place in already-established resorts. Here is a list of popular skiing moments in movies and the resorts where they were filmed:
Inception (Fortress Mountain Resort – Alberta, Canada)
Fortress Mountain Resort takes pride in the movies filmed there. They’ve even provided a list on their website that includes Inception, The Revenant and Bourne Legacy. (Is it a coincidence that two of them star Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio? We don’t think so.) In Inception, the Fortress is featured with an intense ski-chase as the actors hop from dream to dream. We still haven’t quite sorted through the ending, but at least we can visit the snowy mountain top location where they filmed—that isn’t a dream!
Fortress advertises their wind-protected slopes and stunning terrain, along with great tree skiing. Located near Banff National Park, Fortress is conscientious about conservation and continues to balance development with preservation. They are currently undergoing a revision program with the promise of new lifts, a new lodge, and more.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (Lech Zürs Resort – Lech, Austria)
This isn’t a scene we recommend reenacting, but man do we love watching it. Renée Zellweger never fails to make us laugh in the wonderfully comical Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge of Reason, but her flailing movements and ridiculous outfit make for an unrealistic but joyful moment of comedy. There are plenty of “lose control” skiing scenes in popular movies, but we fell in love with the quaint town of Lech Zürs featured in this British classic.
Its high altitude allows early snowfall that actually sticks, dusting quaint chalets and local eateries in a layer of sparkling white. The area is home to countless lifts and cable cars that lead to 305 kilometers of ski runs. Tucked away in the heart of the Alps, this cozy town can be the setting of your next romantic(comedy) getaway.
Point Break (2015) (Mont Blanc – Aosta Valley, Italy; Haute-Savoie, France)
If you don’t remember any skiing in the 1991 Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, you’re not alone. We’re looking at the 2015 Point Break adaption that didn’t do as well at the box-office but displayed some incredible shots. The plot focuses on extreme sports and involves some risky snowboarding down the Mont Blanc mountain face. The scene itself is breathtaking as professional snowboarders masking as stunt-doubles carve their way down the mountain.
However, if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, we recommend stopping by Chamonix Resort. Still located on Mont Blanc, skiers and snowboarders alike can cruise down the many slopes of this mountain straddling Italy and France. Also home to a wonderful resort with a pool and spa, Mont Blanc has it all for both adrenaline junkies and homebodies.
James Bond: Spectre (Sölden Ski Area – Solden, Austria)
While there are so many iconic 007 ski scenes to choose from, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to gush about Sölden. While the snowy gondola scene in Daniel’s Craig’s Spectre didn’t involve our favorite spy skiing himself, we caught a glimpse of a different side of the Sölden resort as Bond chased the “bad guys” in a helicopter.
Sölden takes pride in offering their customers a skiing experience that includes glacier ski mountains and “state-of-the-art lifts and superlatives”. However, be sure to indulge in their 007 installation that discusses elements of creating a bond film—specifically Spectre. Dive into the world of James Bond with galleries that feature props, music, and behind-the-scenes footage. However, the galleries that offer sweeping views of the frozen cliffside are not heated, so be sure to bring a jacket.
Luxury Ski Magazine 