You could probably make this list just about hockey movies or skiing movies or figure skating movies (which would only work if they had made a feature film about the Harding/Kerrigan scandal) but in order to include all the greatest of the greats...and Cool Runnings, the category had to broaden to winter sports movies. We all know that cold weather is character building (or drives you to drink) and that we can derive inspiration and important life lessons from tales of winter sports. On that note, Blades of Glory was just too much, Miracle was a bit overplayed for me and Mystery, Alaska gave me way more Alaskan hockey moms and Russell Crow than I cared to see. See some of the best scenes from the top 9 movies about winter sports and use Searchles TV if you want to mashup online videos on your own.
1. Cool Runnings (1993). A touching, rather entertaining yet loose interpretation of the debut of the Jamaica national bobsled team at the 1998 Winter Olympics. It was also the first and last time we'd ever see the John Candy and Doug E. Doug paired up in comical fusion. We learned more about bobsledding than we ever cared to (they steer?) and we all cried when we see Junior's father in the crowd at the end...
2. Slap Shot (1977). Because we all let a little stress out watching the Hanson brothers in action (no not that lovable trio from Tulsa) and Paul Newman is generally badass...salad dressing and all. Slap Shot is also relevant in these trying times as the Charlestown Chiefs were in financial trouble due to mill closings in the town...helloooo recession.
3. Aspen Extreme (1993). Apparently touted as "Top Gun on the ski slopes" (just as North Shore is "Aspen Extreme neon skisuits), this classic followed two friends from "out of town" who break into the glamorous world of Aspen Ski Instructors. As a big ski competition approaches, the stakes are about as high as the female lead's bangs.
4. The Mighty Ducks Trilogy (1992). We follow a team of misfits as they transform from a bumbling disaster into a finely-tuned indefendable (word?) Flying V. This clip here from D2 is probably my favorite...quacking, over-the-top cheese, an emotional Emilio Estevez.
5. The Cutting Edge (1992). A hockey player turned figure skater pairs with a bit of a skating diva to fulfill olympic dreams. Despite the fact that their gold medal-winning move, The Pamchenko, is physically impossible, how can you not love a 90s movie with a tagline like "the ultimate love/skate relationship"?
6. Dumb and Dumber (1994). While slightly more character-focused than skiing-focused, the resort town of Aspen and its illustrious residents play a fairly prominent role in this ahhh...best movie ever. In this scene, Harry and Mary make a snowman.
7. Better Off Dead (1985). Even though Lane Meyer (dreamboat John Cusack) is actually fleeing a paperboy (who is neither scary nor asking for too much) while he races his blond blueblood nemesis - there is really much more to it in the name of teen angst. Wikipedia states "As Lane races down the mountain on one ski, he overcomes a life gone downhill to find happiness." Wow.
8. Youngblood (1986). Rob Lowe, Swayze AND Keanu...be still my beating heart. More hockey violence and 80s pretty boys vs. thug action. This wikipedia article uses the phrase "rag tag team of roughnecks".
9. Out Cold (2001). This is what I used to know of Alaska pre-Palin. A group of snowboarders try to win the girl(s) and save their mountain from a corporate takeover. I at first thought this movie was terrible and it quickly grew on me on one of those days when I didn't get off the couch. That Zach Galifianakis...
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