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Last Updated on October 7, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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The 8 Best Ski Documentaries You Need To See
Skiing is much about skills and fun, but perhaps not everyone has thought about the behind-the-scenes aspect of this undeniably attractive athletic discipline.
Key Takeaways:
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- McConkey: This documentary chronicles the life and tragic death of extreme skier Shane McConkey. It showcases his contributions to the skiing world, including ski design innovations like the reverse sidecut and reverse camber skis.
- They are conquering the Useless: This is a raw and emotional look at professional skier Cody Townsend’s journey through Canada’s remote glaciers, highlighting the crew members’ internal battles and personal growth.
- Steep: This documentary focuses on the pursuit of extreme skiing and delves into the mental and physical challenges of pushing boundaries in skiing’s most dangerous terrains.
- Pretty Faces: This groundbreaking documentary celebrates the achievements of female skiers, breaking gender barriers in the male-dominated sport and promoting resilience and community support.
- Swift. Silent. Deep: This film introduces the Jackson Hole Air Force and its role in revolutionizing backcountry skiing culture in North America by embracing risk, freedom, and camaraderie.
- Here, There & Everywhere: A tribute to legendary filmmaker Warren Miller’s journey worldwide, capturing the beauty and excitement of skiing from Greenland to the Swiss Alps.
- Like a Lion: This documentary follows controversial freeskier Tanner Hall and intertwines exhilarating ski footage with his journey of overcoming personal and professional challenges.
- Ski Pioneer: A short yet powerful documentary about Paul Leimkuehler, the U.S.’s first amputee skier, celebrating his groundbreaking contributions to disabled skiing and the prosthetics industry.
At the ski resort, you and hundreds of other skiers are similar – you are here for the same goal, you have a similar set of skills, and you perhaps have a similar mentality. But when it comes to the world outside of skiing, people are drastically different.
This doesn’t matter much to you as a skier and as a person, but knowing the stories of others in the skiing world can be highly inspiring and educational.
Perhaps the best source of knowledge and inspiration is ski documentaries. While those unfamiliar with the topic may consider skiing an unappealing activity that only attracts crazy people, ski documentaries can easily shatter the doubts of even the most skeptical personalities.
And if you love skiing, then a good ski documentary will be more valuable.
That said, we want to introduce you to what we think are the 8 best ski documentaries out there. Some are inspirational, some are controversial, and others are weirdly sober. Still, they all have the potential to expand your view of skiing beyond what is happening on the mountain.
8 Best Ski Documentaries
1. McConkey
Extreme skier Shane McConkey passed away far too young, but he has nonetheless made a significant contribution to the world of skiing. Notably, he contributed to the reverse sidecut and reverse camber skis.
The documentary McConkey follows Shane, the son of skier Jim McConkey, from childhood to becoming a professional skier and moving to extreme skiing. McConkey also covers Shane’s death during a ski base jump in 2009 and his ongoing influence throughout the years, even after his death.
Those familiar with Shane McConkey’s story will know how the documentary ends even before watching it, but this film still manages to tell his story and examine his legacy beautifully.
2. Echoboom Sports
“Conquering the Useless” is a riveting ski documentary that captures the endeavors of renowned professional skier Cody Townsend.
After gaining worldwide attention for his remarkable ‘Line Of The Year,’ Townsend embarks on another challenging journey, this time in the isolated Boundary Range of Canada.
The documentary provides a raw and unfiltered view into the journey as Townsend
and his crew wrestle with extreme conditions on Canada’s largest glaciers. The film meticulously portrays how this seemingly sports-oriented adventure morphs into a deeply personal quest for each team member.
Striking a balance between risk and reward, each participant battles internal conflicts while chasing the steepest and most rewarding skiing line.
“Conquering the Useless” is more than just a ski documentary; it offers an intimate view into the human spirit’s tenacity and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges.
This film takes viewers on an adrenaline-fueled journey, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in extreme skiing while exploring the profound emotional and psychological implications of such a daring pursuit.
Every moment of this heart-stopping adventure is captured in vivid detail, making “Conquering the Useless” a must-watch for ski enthusiasts and fans of human-interest documentaries.
3. Steep
“Steep” ski documentary is a compelling narrative that follows the journey of professional skier Cody Townsend as he traverses the treacherous terrains of the remote Boundary Range of Canada.
This monumental endeavor follows his viral ‘Line Of The Year’, which gained worldwide acclaim. The documentary encapsulates the raw intensity and personal struggle each member of Cody’s crew undergoes as they face adverse conditions among Canada’s largest glaciers.
The “Steep” ski documentary delves deep into the psyche of its protagonists, exposing their internal battles with risk versus reward as they persistently chase the steepest and most challenging lines of their lives.
This documentary isn’t just about a physical journey; it’s a deep exploration of personal limits, team dynamics, and the unwavering human spirit.
4. Pretty Faces
“Pretty Faces” ski documentary is an innovative and inspiring film that breaks the gender barriers in skiing.
The documentary centers around an all-female cast of accomplished ski athletes from around the globe who have pushed the boundaries of their sport while inspiring others to do the same. The film not only celebrates outdoor play and the thrill of skiing but also emphasizes the significance of community support in achieving 
one’s full potential in any field.
The “Pretty Faces” ski documentary is a monumental tribute to the power of female camaraderie and resilience. It showcases how these athletes have overcome challenges and stereotypes in a male-dominated sport while continually pushing their limits and redefining what is possible.
The documentary serves as a platform for these remarkable women to tell their stories, highlighting their technical skills, daring feats, and unyielding spirit, all against stunning outdoor landscapes.
Overall, the “Pretty Faces” ski documentary serves as a testament to the strength and potential of women in skiing while also promoting the joy of outdoor play and the importance of community support.
This film is a must-watch for anyone interested in sports and gender equality or who loves a good story of perseverance and accomplishment.
It’s not right to separate male and female skiers—the sport and its dangers are the same; it’s just that people are different, with their own stories and challenges.
Perhaps it is for this approach that viewers and critics have highly acclaimed Pretty Faces.
5. Swift. Silent. Deep
Swift. Silent. Deep claims to be the first true documentary about North America’s hardcore ski bum culture.
Swift. Silent. Deep tells about the Jackson Hole Air Force, established by Benny Wilson and the late Howie Henderson. This group of skiing geeks embodied the freeskiing movement.
The “alpine outlaws” from the JH Air Force have helped revolutionize open boundaries at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in 1998. Boldly and stealthily, these guys have crossed the boundary ropes at Jackson Hole against the resort’s rules in search of an epic skiing experience.
The JH Air Force may seem reckless to some, but they’ve always made safe choices and looked out for each other while being naughty.
Moreover, they don’t secretly cross the boundary ropes today—they ski right through them because they are wide open and legal. JH Air Force has certainly contributed to how things have changed at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and beyond its territory.
6. Here, There & Everywhere
Warren Miller first set out to film skiing in 1949, and over the following years, he would discover some of the sport’s most unique mountains and talents.
From Switzerland to Montana and Greenland, Warren Miller has visited very few places during his skiing and filming journey.
“Here, There & Everywhere” is an exceptional ski documentary, a testament to Warren Miller Entertainment’s enduring fascination with the sport of skiing. Celebrating its 67th year in the industry, the team continues to uphold its commitment to capturing the breathtaking beauty and thrilling dynamism of skiing.
In this latest offering, viewers are granted an intimate audience with Warren Miller.
He weaves captivating narratives of winter’s past, transporting audiences to a time and place where the sport was still in its infancy.
The documentary takes skiing enthusiasts on a global journey, showcasing awe-inspiring locations that serve as the backdrop for exhilarating ski adventures. The film features pristine landscapes from Greenland to Kicking Horse in British Columbia and even the stunning Swiss Alps.
“Here, There & Everywhere” lives up to its title by traversing continents, crossing borders, and breaking boundaries in search of the ultimate ski experience. This is more than just a film; it’s a tribute to the spirit of skiing and the endless quest for perfect runs and memorable journeys.
It encapsulates what Warren Miller Entertainment has stood for for over six decades: celebrating the passion, camaraderie, and sheer joy that skiing brings.
7. Like a Lion
Like a Lion tells the story of freeskier Tanner Hall.
“Like a Lion” ski documentary is an insightful feature film that delves into the life and career of the most controversial skier of the last decade, Tanner Hall. This seven-time ESPN X-Games Gold medalist is portrayed in a light that transcends the typical action sports narrative, providing viewers with an intimate look at his journey marked by extreme highs and devastating lows.
This documentary goes beyond Hall’s skiing accomplishments and rock-star persona to focus on his extraordinary resilience, enabling him to bounce back from life’s hardest challenges.
The “Like a Lion” ski documentary intertwines exhilarating ski footage with compelling interviews to construct a multidimensional portrait of Hall, who has become a paradigm of self-confidence amidst adversity.
His story is one of tragedy and triumph, inspiring anyone facing their battles. The film captures the high-risk, high-adrenaline world of professional skiing and explores the mental strength required to endure and overcome the sport’s inherent dangers.
The “Like a Lion” ski documentary is more than a film about skiing; it is a testament to human resilience and the power of unyielding determination.
8. Ski Pioneer
Ski Pioneer is unlike all the ski documentaries we’ve looked at.
This film was featured a few years back at The Three Minute Film Festival in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Furthermore, its author, Katie Leimkuehler, won Best Documentary out of 350 entries and 49 finalists at the festival!
As the festival’s title might suggest, Ski Pioneer is only a few minutes long. However, within its short runtime, it manages to tell a brilliant story and engage its audience.
The documentary tells the story of the author’s grandfather, Paul Leimkuehler. He was a speed skater who lost his leg in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII but nonetheless returned to winter sports, becoming the US’ first amputee skier.
Paul Leimkuehler was inducted into The Ski Hall of Fame in 1981 for his key role in the amputee skiing community. He would also be inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame.
Leimkuehler has impacted the skiing community and the prosthetic industry. 1959, he served as president of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. Later, he served as president of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
Given Ski Pioneer’s inspirational and impactful message, it is no wonder it has become the documentary centerpiece of The Three Minute Film Festival in New Mexico.
Wrap Up
The 8 best must-see ski documentaries offer a thrilling insight into the world of professional skiing, emphasizing the sport and the captivating personal stories of the athletes involved. The list includes critically acclaimed films such as “Like a Lion”, a compelling tale about the life of Tanner Hall, a seven-time ESPN X-Games Gold medalist. Famed for his high-risk, adrenaline-fueled style, Hall’s story is one of triumph over adversity and a testament to self-confidence.
“McConkey” is another notable documentary, providing an in-depth look at the career of extreme skier Shane McConkey and his innovative approach to the sport. “Echoboom Sports” and “Steep” similarly delve into the daring world of professional skiing, capturing the awe-inspiring landscapes and exhilarating speeds that define this high-octane sport.
“Pretty Faces, “Swift. Silent. Deep, “Here, There & Everywhere,” and “Ski Pioneer” each offer unique perspectives on skiing, exploring everything from the sport’s pioneering women to the unseen depths of backcountry skiing.
In conclusion, these eight best must-see ski documentaries provide viewers with more than exciting sports footage; they tell enthralling stories of courage, innovation, and resilience far beyond the snowy slopes.
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