Movies to get you in the mood for a skiing holiday
Looking forward to a winter sports holiday can be very exciting, and while we certainly wouldn't suggest that the anticipation is better than the real thing, there are a number of ways to make the wait before your trip extra exhilarating. Making all your travel arrangements - such as booking your chalet and lift pass, or going shopping for ski gear - is one way to make the adventure seem more real, although to really get the adrenaline pumping you might want to watch a few films that feature iconic skiing scenes.
There are loads of movies that involve skiing, with winter sports providing a great backdrop to exciting action sequences, or if you'd rather get a feel for the more tranquil side of life in the mountains then you'll find a number of comedy and romance films that feature skiing too. Here's a look at some of the movies that are worth watching before heading off and giving it a go for yourself.
James Bond - various movies
The world's most famous spy is a keen skier, and an accomplished one at that, if his on-screen antics are anything to go by. Judging from the novels written by Sir Ian Fleming and the later film adaptations of these literary works of art, bad guys like nothing more than hanging out in ski resorts and waiting for 007 to make an appearance so that they can ambush him while enjoying some downhill action at the same time.
Perhaps the most famous James Bond skiing scene is the iconic opening sequence from the 1977 movie The Spy Who Loved me, in which 007 - played by Roger Moore - is pursued by a group of Soviet agents in the Austrian Alps. Fortunately, Bond is equipped with ski poles that fire bullets, as well as a Union Jack parachute which enables him to safely glide to earth after jumping off a cliff.
While this sort of adrenaline rush may be a little more extreme than anything you might expect on a skiing holiday, The Spy Who Loved Me is a great film to watch if you want to get in the mood for your trip.
Other James Bond films to feature ski scenes include The World is Not Enough and For Your Eyes Only.
Cool Runnings
OK, so this one's more about bobsleighing than skiing, but it's worth a mention because the Jamaican bobsleigh have just qualified for the 2014 Winter Olympic in Sochi, and will be hoping to go further than they did in Calgary back in 1988, when they crashed out on their final run, winning international respect if not a medal.
While you'll probably want to spend most of your holiday either skiing or snowboarding, this film might inspire you to have a go at one of the many other exciting activities that are on offer at many top ski resorts. Places like La Plagne in France, for example, have their own bobsleigh tracks which visitors can slide down on inflatable rafts - something that's great fun when you fancy taking the weight off your feet.
Anything by Warren Miller
As one of the world's leading ski and snowboard filmmaker, Warren Miller is definitely someone you should look out for when selecting a movie to get you in the mood for a trip to the mountains. Having filmed some of the top professional winter athletes in their element, Miller is known for capturing some truly spectacular sequences and dangerous stunts. While it isn't a good idea to try and emulate some of the tricks you see in these films, watching them should at least give you an impression of just how spectacular the scenery that awaits you is.
To find out more about how you can book a short ski break, call one of our ski experts on 023 8020 6971 or email sales@skiweekends.com.