Vegging out This Winter? These Movies Will Fuel Your Winter Stoke and Get You Back Outdoors
If the cold and snow are keeping you in this winter, you could veg out on whatever, or you can veg out on movies and videos that’ll fuel your winter stoke and get you back outdoors where you belong. There’s plenty of fun to be had outdoors in the winter, after all. Here are some ideas for the next time you want to relax on the couch.
Videos by Outdoors
Advice for Girls: An All-Women Ski Film (2023)
Playing in a ski town near you, or you can even purchase a digital copy online, Advice for Girls features advice from three generations of female skiers to motivate female skiers young and old to push their limits and have fun. Including pioneers, the younger generation, and current badass rippers, this movie is sure to show females they belong on the slopes.
How to watch: Digital copy or check the tour schedule online
Art of Flight (2011)
Produced by Red Bull, the Art of Flight is one of a series of snowboard films starring Travis Rice and company that brings art to the beauty of carving turns in epic locations.
How can one not be motivated to hit the slopes after watching the captivating footage in this film? If you watch with children, there is a parental warning for language. The film is rated PG-13.
How to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube Premium, Apple TV, Google Play, Tubi
Better Off Dead (1985)
OK, this movie might be on the list more for the nostalgia of youth. But, its underdog tones and comedic scenes make it a good one for rest/snow days. Trying to win back his girlfriend, whom he lost to a ski hunk, Lane Meyer (John Cusack) sets off on a mission to ski the notorious K12 ski run. With the help of a French exchange student, Meyer builds skills and confidence in many areas of life. Channel your inner Lane Meyer next time you are nervous at the top of a ski run. The movie is PG but does discuss suicide.
How to watch: Amazon Prime
Cody Towsend
Any film or project attached to Cody’s name is sure to fuel the fire. A series of new films including the Momumentary about motherhood and skiing called Here, Hold My Kid, and his epic quest to climb and ski all the classic ski descents in North America in the Fifty Project Ski Film called Polar Star are no exception. You can find his videos on YouTube and through his social media, including past films like Superheroes of Stoke and Winterland.
How to watch: YouTube
Cool Runnings (1993)
Both adults and kids will enjoy this classic about the underdogs representing their country of Jamaica for the first time in bobsledding. In a comedic way, kids will see the positivity from hard work, perseverance, and believing in ones self. If anything, it might give you the courage to try a new winter sport. (link to my quirky winter sports article)
How to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu
Eddie the Eagle (2016)
If you want to get the courage to try a 360 on a box or tackle that first mogul run, find some inspiration by watching Eddie the Eagle. In this movie, British athlete Michael “Eddie” Edwards heads to Germany after being cut from Britain’s ski team. A snowplow driver, and former ski jumper, helps Eddie train to overcome obstacles en route to a historic run at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. The movie is PG-13.
How to watch: Amazon Prime
Frozen Road (2018)
Looking for solitude along the Canadian Arctic, Ben Page set off to cycle the frozen terrain. Self-shot, Page documented his one month bikepacking ride through from the Yukon Territory to the Arctic Sea as a part of a three year cycling trip around the world.
While you might not want to take on such an adventure yourself, it might give you the push out the door to jump on a fat bike or to cycle on those warmer winter days outside. His enduring drive to overcome obstacles out of his control
How to watch: benpagefilms.com
Ice Princess (2005)
Science-loving kids will enjoy this coming-of-age tale combining physics with sport as a STEM student becomes a skating champion. Featuring the trials and tribulations of growing up, kids will relate to the character and learn ways they can bring science into their own winter adventures.
How to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
When surfer Johnny Kapahala’s family leaves the sunny shores of Hawaii to live in a ski town, he learns to embrace the winter weather. Once surfing the waves, he learns to surf the ski slopes in a Vermont town. Kids will enjoy the laughs and relate to the desire to fit in. It also helps them understand the fun side of spending time outdoors in the winter.
How to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
Surfer Dan (2018)
A love of riding waves brings Upper Peninsula local Dan Schetter to surf the waves of Lake Superior even in the dead of winter. Crediting surfing for saving his life, for Dan it’s about the journey and not the destination. This 8-minute film shows Schetter with brilliant icicles hanging from his beard as he shows pure joy in being able to catch waves even in January. So even if this motivates you to head out to the backyard to build an igloo for a few hours, this movie helps us remember that the outdoors can be beautiful anywhere. Maybe it will even inspire you, or a family member to grow an epic winter beard.
The Outdoor Boys
Outdoor adventure doesn’t have to be serious. There is plenty of humor in camping mishaps and mistakes, and that is where the Outdoor Boys come in. Over 3.25 million fans subscribe to their channel for insight on all kinds of things outdoors, including; fossil hunting, backyard DIY projects, and camping. This family never lets winter weather stand in their way. From building winter shelters to camping and backpacking in freezing temps, they are the spokespeople for the Swedish saying, “There’s no bad weather.” Whether it’s dog sledding, sleeping in a hot tent, or ice fishing, the Outdoor Boys fuel that winter stoke.
How to watch: YouTube
Warren Miller
Since 1950, Warren Miller has been fueling the winter stoke by making a ski film every year. The level of production, talent, and the terrain have grown to new heights each year. Featuring locations around the world, boarders and skiers flock to his film tours on the big screen. While his older films are hard to find, most of his films from the 70s and beyond can be found streaming or to rent/buy. Naturally, these films make you want to hit the slopes as soon as possible.
How to watch: Amazon, YouTube, Film Tour
These additional movies are great choices for recovery days:
Source: https://outdoors.com/inspiring-movies-to-fuel-your-winter-stoke/
