There's something uniquely terrifying about the isolation and the cold of a ski resort, making it the perfect setting for horror films. This collection brings together ten spine-chilling movies where the snow isn't the only thing that's chilling. Whether it's the eerie quiet of the off-season or the claustrophobia of being trapped by a blizzard, these films will make you think twice about your next ski holiday.
The Shining (1980)
Description: While not exclusively set at a ski resort, the Overlook Hotel where the film takes place is accessible by a ski lift, and the winter setting plays a crucial role in the story's isolation and madness.
Fact: Stanley Kubrick famously used the Steadicam for the first time in a feature film to capture the eerie, fluid shots of the hotel's corridors.
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The Thing (1982)
Description: Although set at an Antarctic research station, the film's themes of isolation and paranoia in a cold, remote environment are akin to a ski resort horror.
Fact: John Carpenter's film was initially not well-received but has since become a cult classic.
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Wind Chill (2007)
Description: Two college students on a road trip get stranded in the snow, encountering ghostly apparitions and the chilling isolation of a winter landscape.
Fact: The film was shot in British Columbia, Canada, during a particularly cold winter.
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The Descent: Part 2 (2009)
Description: Although primarily set in caves, the film begins at a ski resort where the survivors of the first film are found. The cold, snowy environment sets the stage for the horrors to come.
Fact: The sequel was not as well-received as the original but still offers a chilling continuation of the story.
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Dead Snow (2009)
Description: This Norwegian horror-comedy features a group of friends on a ski trip who encounter Nazi zombies. The snowy landscape adds to the eerie atmosphere, making it a unique entry in the ski resort horror genre.
Fact: The film was shot in the remote village of Øksfjord, Norway, and the director, Tommy Wirkola, also directed the "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" film.
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The Snowman (2017)
Description: While primarily a thriller, the film's setting in the snowy Norwegian landscape and the chilling murders give it a horror-like atmosphere.
Fact: The film is based on the novel by Jo Nesbø and features a cameo by the author.
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The Mountain Between Us (2017)
Description: Not strictly a horror film, but the survival elements in the harsh, snowy environment after a plane crash evoke a sense of dread and isolation similar to horror themes.
Fact: The film was shot in the Canadian Rockies, providing a stunning yet harsh backdrop for the story.
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Frozen (2010)
Description: Three skiers are stranded on a chairlift due to a malfunction, facing freezing temperatures and a pack of hungry wolves. The film uses the isolation of a ski resort to create a tense, survival horror scenario.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life incident where skiers were stranded on a chairlift, though the actual event was less dramatic.
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The Hateful Eight (2015)
Description: While not a traditional horror film, Quentin Tarantino's film uses a blizzard-bound cabin, similar to a ski lodge, to create tension and paranoia among its characters, with elements of horror.
Fact: The film was shot in 70mm Ultra Panavision, making it one of the few films to use this format since the 1960s.
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The Lodge (2019)
Description: A family retreat to a remote cabin during Christmas turns into a psychological horror as the step-mother's past haunts her, with the snowy isolation amplifying the tension.
Fact: The film was shot in Canada, utilizing the harsh winter conditions to enhance the film's atmosphere.
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